V410 Exam I Flashcards
(L18) Reproductive hormones are classified as either species-specific or conserved in their structure. Which groups of hormones are species-specific?
The glycoproteins (FSH, LH, inhibins, AMH, and eCG) The polypeptide hormones (prolactin, GH)
(L18) Species-specific hormones are clinically important for three reasons. What are they?
- The protein/glycoprotein hormones from one species cannot be used therapeutically in another since the expected effects may vary.
- Even if an effect can be elicited, the host’s immune system can mount a response against the foreign protein hormone.
- Diagnostic assays for protein hormones are also species-specific, preventing general use.
(L18) Reproductive hormones are classified as either species specific or conserved in their structure. Which groups of hormones are conserved?
The small peptide hormones (GnRH, oxytocin)
The steroid hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
The prostaglandins (PGF2-a)
(L18) What is the basic structure of glycoprotein hormones?
Glycoprotein hormones are composed of an alpha and a beta chain. The alpha chain is shared between LH and FSH, whereas the beta chain confers specificity. Additionally, the level of glycosylated sites on the subunits grant an additional level of specificity.
(L18) Compare equine CG and LH.
Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) has the same exact alpha and beta subunits as equine LH. They differ in two ways - where they’re secreted and the extent of glycosylation of their subunits. eCG is secreted by the chorion of the fetus, while eLH is secreted by the anterior pituitary. Additionally, eCG is far more glycosylated than eLH, increasing its half-life.
(L18) Biochemically, how are sex steroid hormones synthesized?
Steroid hormones are derivatives of cholesterol in which the 27 carbon structure has been cleaved into 21, 19, and 18 carbon structures. The 21 carbon hormone, pregnolone, is the precursor to the sex steroids (19 carbon androgens and 18 carbon estrogens) and 21 carbon gluco- and mineralocorticoids.
(L18) Sex steroids and small peptide hormones are conserved across species, generally making them effective therapeutics. In what situation would small peptide hormones not be effective?
Chronic overexposure of receptors to these hormones downregulates these hormones, inhibiting LH and FSH release. This results in chemical castration. GnRH and oxytocin’s efficacy is determined by how their signal is received. Normally, pulsatile release of GnRH stimulates pulsatile release of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary gland.
(L18) Sex steroids and small peptide hormones are conserved across species, generally making them effective therapeutics. Generally, what occurs with chronic stimulation of sex steroid receptors?
Steroid receptors bind to nuclear receptors that do not exhibit downregulation when chronically stimulated. Unlike small peptide hormones, chronic steroid stimulation causes hyperplasia of the target tissue.
(L18) Are diagnostic assays more effective for protein hormones or steroid hormones? Why?
Conserved steroid hormones.
(L18) There’s a lot of variation in hormone concentrations within an individual and over time. What kind of test reduces this variability?
A response test minimizes the variability inherent to a single blood sample. With a response test, something like GnRH is administered, and there should be an expected increase in LH and testosterone soon after.
(L18) Equine chorionic gonadotropin is a therapeutic stimulator of follicular growth when given to other species. Why?
eCG, because of its structure, binds to LH receptors in the horse. However, when administered to another species e.g. the dog, eCG binds to FSH receptors, not LH receptors. This induces stimulates follicular development.
(L19) What are the 4 basic levels of sexual determination?
Chromosomal - XX or XY
Gonadal - ovaries or testes
Somatic - mullerian ducts/uterus/vagina or wolffian ducts/scrotum
Hypothalamic
How could an XX or an XY individual have the gonads of the opposite sex?
Several genes have been identified e.g. SRY (the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome) and Fox L2 that appear to control gonadal differentiation. However, these genes have been identified as part of complex signaling cascades with other genes, and issues with any step along these pathways will disrupt normal gonadal development.
(L19) The genital ridge contributes to gonad development. How?
Primordial germ cells from the yolk sac populate genital ridge’s cortex and medulla during embryological development. XY-associated signaling causes the cortex to regress, while the medulla remains to form the testes. XX-associated signaling does the opposite - the cortex survives while the medulla degenerates.
(L19) How does the male internal genitalia develop?
The testes secrete two hormones associated with internal genitalia development - AMH from Sertoli cells and testosterone from Leydig cells. Testosterone binds to androgen receptors on mesonephric ducts/Wolffian ducts to stabilize them. AMH causes regression of the paramesonephric ducts/Mullerian ducts.
(L19) How does the female internal genitalia develop?
The female internal genitalia develops in the absence of hormones because fetal ovaries are endocrinologically inactive. Wolffian ducts regress because there’s no signal for stabilization, while the Mullerian ducts persist because there’s no signal for regression.
(L19) How does the male external genitalia develop?
Male external genitalia development depends on the conversion of testosterone into DHT by 5-alpha-reductase. DHT then stimulates the formation of the penis and scrotum.
(L19) How does the female external genitalia develop?
Female external genitalia develop in the absence of DHT. The tissues that would form the penis and scrotum instead form the vagina and clitoris.
(L19) How would an XX individual develop internal and/or external male genitalia?
Female fetuses express the same androgen receptors and 5-alpha-reductase as males do. Exposure to androgens or AMH masculinizes the female fetus. Testosterone will stabilize Wolffian ducts and AMH would cause regression of the Mullerian ducts. Even low levels of testosterone, when converted to the more potent DHT, would induce development of external male genitalia (in the absence of Wolffian ducts).
(L19) What are true hermaphrodites?
True hermaphrodites express both type of gonadal tissue. This can manifest as either one of each type of gonad or an ovotestis.
(L19) What are pseudohermaphrodites?
A pseudohermaphrodite expresses one gonad type but the internal/external genitalia of the other sex.
(L19) What is true sex reversal?
A sex reversed individual will express one karyotype but the gonad type of the other sex.
(L19) Describe what happens with androgen resistance syndrome.
Androgen resistance syndrome is defined as a dysfunctional gene that encodes the androgen receptor. The gene is found on the X chromosome, so a female carrier may potentially pass it onto some of her male offspring. Affected males will express gonads (as determined by their karyotype) but will have Mullerian ducts, no Wolffian ducts, and female external genitalia.
(L19) What occurs with a 5-alpha-reductase deficiency?
Males, without enough 5-alpha-reductase, will express Wolffian ducts but will have external female genitalia.
(L19) Describe what happens with Persistent Mullerian Syndrome
In persisent Mullerian syndrome, there is an issue with either the synthesis of AMH by Sertoli cells or AMH receptors. Ultimately, the Mullerian ducts fail to regress (Wolffian duct and external genitalia development is unaffected).
(L20) What is the defining characteristic of a fibroelastic penis and which species have one?
A fibroelastic penis only lengthens when erect; there is not change in girth. This is because they have a very thick tunica albuginea, preventing growth. Cows, pigs, sheep, and goats have one.
(L20) What is the defining characteristic of a musculocavernous penis and which species have one?
A musculocavernous penis, when erect, lengthens and increases in girth. These penises have a relatively thin tunica albuginea. Dogs and horses have one.
(L20) What are the three general parts of a penis?
The root - where the crus penis, the origin of the penis’ erectile tissue is
The body
The glans
(L20) What are some unique features to the canine penis?
The canine glans is divided into two structures - the bulbus glandis and the pars longa glandis. The bulbus glandis, when expanded, is what creates the copulatory tie.
(L20) What are some unique features of the equine penis?
The equine glans has a specialized glans - the corona glandis which gives rise to the fossa glandis. The fossa glandis is clinically significant because it needs to be regularly cleaned in geldings. The equine penis also has a third erectile tissue, which is continuous with the corpus spongiosum - the corpus spongiosum glandis. This tissue, when engorged, creates a vacuum that helps semen enter the female’s uterus.
(L20) What are the erectile tissues of the penis?
The corpus cavernosum
The corpus spongiosum
The corpus spongiosum glandis in horses
(L20) How is erection achieved? Which nerves are associated?
- Blood is shunted along the pudenal arteries and the corpus cavernosum.
- Non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurons (NANCs) release nitrous oxide (NO) onto sinusoids supplied by helicine arteries in the erectile tissue, allowing them to be engorged with blood.
- Simultaneously, at the root of the penis, the venous supply of the corpus cavernosum is compressed against the ischium.
- Erection is achieved with an increase in arterial flow and a decrease in venous flow.
(L20) What is emission and ejaculation?
Emission is the deposition of seminal fluid into the pelvic urethra. Ejaculation is movement of that fluid out of the penis. Both are mediated by the SNS.
(L20) What are the primary functions of the scrotum?
Protection
Thermoregulation - spermatogenesis occurs at 2-3 degrees less than body temperature
(L20) What are the two tunics of the scrotum?
The parietal vaginal tunic
The visceral vaginal tunic
(L20) How is blood cooled before it enters the testes?
Within the pampinoform plexus, the testicular artery is surrounded by veins moving blood in the opposite direction. The cooler venous blood cools the arterial blood before it enters the testes.
(L20) What is the main role of the epididymis?
The epididymis, and mainly the tail of the epididymis, temporarily stores sperm and allows cells to mature and attain mobility before being ejaculated.
(L20) What is the blood-testis barrier?
The blood testis barrier is formed by the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules and the tight junctions between the Sertoli cells. It protects the haploid sperm cells within the lumen from immune cells.
(L21) How is the hypothalamus masculinized?
- Testosterone secreted by the testes reaches the hypothalamus, where it’s then converted to estradiol.
- Estradiol changes the secretion pattern of GnRH so that it is released in pulses.
- FSH, LH, and, subsequently, testosterone, are stimulated to be released in pulses as well.
(L21, 27) What is the female pattern of GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus?
In the absence of testosterone and estradiol, the hypothalamus releases large amounts of GnRH in periodic surges under the stimulation of a “surge center”. Later, after puberty, a surge of GnRH and LH can be initiated by surge releases of estradiol from the ovaries.
(L21) How does nutrition affect the onset of puberty?
Puberty is associated with positive energy balance as an animal approaches its mature body weight. This is evident with flushing, where increasing the amount of available food can stimulate the early onset of puberty. However, chronic over- and under-nutrition has been shown to negatively impact the onset of puberty.
(L21) How does leptin affect the onset of puberty?
Leptin appears to be a permissive signal to the onset of puberty - too little of it may delay puberty, but excess amounts does not accelerate it. Leptin, released by adipose tissue, binds to estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus to stimulate GnRH release.
(L21) In general, how does seasonality affect puberty and GnRH release?
In seasonal breeders, changing day lengths appears to affect the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland -with decreasing day length sensed by retinal receptors, there is increased melatonin secretion. Melatonin, in a not completely understood mechanism, increases GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus.
(L21) Which species are seasonal breeders?
Long Day Breeders = Cats, Horses (Spring)
Short Day Breeders = Sheep, Goats (Fall)
(L21) Which species are not seasonal breeders?
Dogs, cattle, and pigs
(L21) What is the Whitten effect?
The introduction of a male into a group of peri-pubertal females will accelerate the onset of puberty. The Whitten effect exhibits how social or environmental cues can affect the onset of puberty.
(L22) What are the two hormonally active cell types in the testes and what do they produce? How do these hormones regulate testes function?
Leydig cells in the interstitum, under LH stimulation, secrete testosterone and estrogens. Testosterone, when converted to estradiol, feeds back to the hypothalamus to inhibit GnRH, and subsequently LH and FSH, secretion. Sertoli cells, under FSH stimulation, secrete AMH, inhibins, and androgen binding proteins. Inhibins feed back onto the anterior pituitary and selectively inhibits FSH secretion.
(L22) What is the role of androgen binding protein (ABP)?
ABPs released by the Sertoli cells maintain a high local concentration of testosterone within the seminiferous tubules. This is critical for spermatogenesis.
(L22) With a hemi-castration, what is expected to occur to the remaining testis?
Removal of one testis essentially halves the negative feedback exerted by the testes on the hypothalamus. The resulting increase in gonadotropins causes compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining testis, increasing testosterone secretion until negative feedback is re-established.
(L22) What happens to FSH and LH if a castrated animal is exposed to testosterone? To inhibin?
If a castrated male was exposed to testosterone, then LH and FSH should decrease due to increased negative feedback. On the other hand, if a castrated male was exposed to inhibins, only FSH would decrease.
(L22, 23) What are the effects of a Sertoli cell tumor?
A Sertoli cell tumor can produce excess estrogen and inhibin, which can suppress GnRH and FSH secretion from the hypothalamus. This is why animals with a Sertoli cell tumor often present with one enlarged and one atrophied testicle. Additionally, the excess estrogen can induce endocrine alopecia, gynecomastia, and metaplasia of the prostatic urothelium.
(L22) What effects on the testes are expected with chronic iatrogenic steroid use?
The excess anabolic steroids in the system increase negative feedback on the hypothalamus, suppressing GnRH, LH, and FSH secretion. Without gonadotropin support, even with high plasma [testosterone], testosterone synthesis in the testes and spermatogenesis are impaired.
(L22, 23) What is cryptorchidism? What are its ultimate effects in the dog?
Cryptorchidism is failure for either one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. Due to increased temperature, spermatogenesis is inhibited and cryptorchid dogs are more likely to develop Sertoli cell tumors.
(L22) How does trans-abdominal migration of the testis occur?
At this stage, the testicle is suspended within the body cavity by two structures - a suspensory ligament and the gubernaculum. As the fetus grows, the testicles descend to the inguinal ring via differential growth. This process is not hormonally regulated.
(L22) How does inguinal passage of the testis occur?
A testis passes through the inguinal canal into the scrotum through the regression of the gubernaculum. However, at this stage, gubernaculum regression is hormone-sensitive and exposure to estrogens or a lack of testosterone will disrupt this process. This is why most cryptorchid testes are found near the inguinal ring.
(L22) Which hormone is used to diagnose cryptorchidism? Why that hormone as opposed to other testicular hormones?
AMH is the diagnostic option of choice because it’s secreted in high concentrations in younger animals and cryptorchids and it’s consistently secreted throughout life without seasonal fluctuations. Testosterone is a poor indicator because pre-pubertal animals do not secrete it and its association with seasonality make interpreting a sample difficult.
(L23) There are 4 accessory sex glands. What are they? Which species have them?
Ampullae - in horses and ruminants
Vesicular glands - horses, ruminants, and pigs
Prostate - all domestic species
Bulbourethral gland - all domestic species except the dog
(L22, 23) There are several differentials for a sperm granuloma. What are they?
- Segmental aplasia of the epididymis will result in obstruction of sperm flow and the development of a sperm granuloma.
- Similarly, a compromised blood-testis barrier allows for an immune response against spermatocytes and the development of a sperm granuloma.
- Chronic epididymitis may contribute to a sperm granuloma.