partition and lactation

Question 1

what is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

Answer 1

• the most common endocrine disorder in women aged 18-44
• caused by elevated levels of androgens

Question 2

what are the symptoms associated with PCOS?

Answer 2

• pelvic pain
• beard - hirsutism
• excess body and facial hair
• acne
• amenorrhea - no periods

Question 3

what conditions is PCOS associated with?

Answer 3

• type II diabetes - insulin resistance NB
• obesity
• heart disease
• endometrial cancer

Question 4

what is the treatment for PCOS?

Answer 4

• diet - weight loss
• restoration of fertility - IVF
• can give medication p oral contraceptive pills to normalise periods and reduce hirsutism

Question 5

what are the 2 components of the placenta & what do they develop from?

Answer 5

• fetal part - develops from the chorionic sac
• maternal part - derived from the endometrium

Question 6

what are the 5 main functions of the placenta?

Answer 6

1. protection
2. nutrition
3. respiration
4. excretion - removal of waste from baby
5. hormone production

Question 7

what is the amnion?

Answer 7

• a membrane that surrounds the embryo/fetus and it increases in size during pregnancy
• functions in mechanical protection

Question 8

what are the main hormones that the placenta secretes?

Answer 8

• progesterone
• estrogen
• inhibin
• relaxin
• HCG - human chorionic gonadotrophin
• human placetal lactogen

Question 9

what happens to the corpus leteum if pregnancy does not occur?

Answer 9

• it will degrade

Question 10

what hormone secreted by the placenta keeps the corpus luteum intact during pregnancy?

Answer 10

• human chorionic gonadotrophin

Question 11

what are the functions of HCG hormone?

Answer 11

• prevents menstruation
• causes the devlopment of the decidual cells (cells that provide nutrition for the fetus)
• stimulates steroid secretion from placenta during last 6 months of pregnancy

Question 12

what is the function of human placental lactogen?

Answer 12

• stimulates glucose production and therefore decreases insulin sensitivity
• stimulates breast development in preparation for lactation
  stimulates the breakdown of fatty acids

Question 13

what is the function of the hormone relaxin?

Answer 13

• decreaes uterine muscle contractility
• relaxation of the ligaments of the symphysis pubis - facilitates birth

Question 14

what is amniocentesis?

Answer 14

testing of the amniotic fluid to screen for genetic diseases

Question 15

what is chroionic villus sampling?

Answer 15

• involves obtaining tissues form the chorionic villus of the placenta
• there are higher risks of miscarraige

Question 16

how long does a normal pregnancy last?

Answer 16

40 weeks

Question 17

what is parturition?

Answer 17

the action of giving birth

Question 18

what are the several mechanisms that control the events of parturition?

Answer 18

• the pregnant uterus near term secretes prostaglandins which are potent stimulators of contraction
• oxytocin - released by the posterior pituitary gland - also a potent contractor
• fetal production of ACTH can stimulate labor

Question 19

what is lactation?

Answer 19

the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands in the breast

Question 20

what occurs to the mammary glands during pregnancy?

Answer 20

they increase in size and cell number

Question 21

what is the major hormone that stimulates the production of milk?

Answer 21

prolactin

Question 22

what hormone inhibits prolactin release?

Answer 22

dopamine

Question 23

describe the milk ejection reflex

Answer 23

• stimulation of the mechanoreceptors in the nipple by suckling
• this causes oxytocin to be released from posterior pituitary gland
• dopamine decreases, plasma prolactin releasing factor increases
• stimulates release of prolactin from anterior pituitary gland
• prolactin increases milk production
• oxytocin causes the myoepithelial cells to contract and expel milk

Question 24

what is the first secretion of milk called?

Answer 24

colostrum

Question 25

Describe the development of the breast from puberty and during pregnancy

Answer 25

• puberty - development of breasts starts - by estrogen
• during pregnancy, there is final differentiation of the duct system, growth of breasts due to increase of stoma (connective tissue) and adipose tissue
• estrogen, GH, prolactin, insulin all encourage the growth of the ductal system
• progesterone stimulates the development of the lobule-alveolar system

Question 26

what is the function of placental progesterone?

Answer 26

• increase of secretion and uterus before implantation
• development of decidual cells (nutrition cells)
• decreased contractility of the pregnant uterus

Question 27

what is the difference between a zygote and a blastocyst?

Answer 27

• zygote = the original fertilised egg - a ball of cells
• blastocyst= hollow ball of cells - which implants onto the endometrium

Question 28

what is implantation?

Answer 28

• the embedding of the blastocyst into the endometrium

Question 29

what are trophoblast cells and what important roles do they have?

Answer 29

• specialised cells of the placenta
• have an important role in embryo implantation and interaction with the decidual cells of the uterus

Question 30

what is the menopause?

Answer 30

the cessation of the function of the ovary - occurs between the age of 44-45