Female Reproduction

Question 1

Two principal functions:
* egg production
* steroid synthesis

Answer 1

ovaries

Question 2

first occurrence of
menstruation

Answer 2

Menarche

Question 3

functional unit of the ovary is the

Answer 3

ovarian follicle

Question 4

Each contains an oocyte

Answer 4

ovarian follicle

Question 5

Consist of an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened granulosa cells

Answer 5

Primordial Follicles

Question 6

largest population of follicles; do not have receptors for LH or FSH (regulated by paracrine factors)

Answer 6

Primordial Follicles

Question 7

LH and FSH not
necessary (regulated by paracrine factors;
sensitive to AMH)

Answer 7

Growing (pre-antral) follicles

Question 8

produced by the small preantral follicles and exerts a paracrine effect that prevents premature FSH-mediated follicular growth

Answer 8

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)

Question 9

sequence of follicular
growth, ovulation, and subsequent formation/degeneration of the corpus
luteum; repeated every ~28 days

Answer 9

ovarian cycle

Question 10

rapid growth of
follicles; lasts ~14 days

Answer 10

Follicular Phase

Question 11

dominated by the
corpus luteum; lasts ~14 days

Answer 11

Luteal Phase

Question 12

Starts with a steady increase in FSH
and, to a lesser extent, LH

Answer 12

early Follicular phase

Question 13

FSH stimulates maturation of follicles

Answer 13

Early follicular phase

Question 14

Maturing follicles secrete inhibin B
and estrogen:
* Stimulates endometrial lining
* Performs negative feedback

Answer 14

early follicular phase

Question 15

FSH and LH decline due to negative feedback

Answer 15

early follicular phase

Question 16

start to develop theca cells with LH receptors and granulosa cells with FSH receptors;

begin secreting Inhibin B and estrogen to initiate decline in FSH

Answer 16

Small antral follicles

Question 17

any follicles that haven’t
developed LH receptors undergo atresia during
FSH decline

Answer 17

Large antral follicles

Question 18

has LH receptors on granulosa cells; can survive low FSH concentrations

Answer 18

Dominant follicle (to be ovulated)

Question 19

Sensitivity to FSH begins at the early

Answer 19

antral stage

Question 20

Follicles grow rapidly in response to FSH, mainly due to an increase in follicular fluid, as well as:

Oocyte grows

• Granulosa cells proliferate and secrete a mucoid
  substance (zona pellucida) around oocyte
• Theca cells appear which express increasing
  amounts of LH receptors as the follicle matures

Answer 20

Antral Follicle Development

Question 21

have FSH receptors and secrete inhibin B (same role as in males) and estrogen. Granulosa cells in antral follicles are the
only cells with receptors for FSH

Answer 21

Granulosa cells

Question 22

have LH receptors and produce testosterone

Answer 22

Thecal cells

Question 23

depends on interactions between FSH, LH, and
the two cell types (theca and granulosa)

Answer 23

Follicular synthesis of estrogen

Question 24

Neither granulosa nor theca cells express the full complement of enzymes needed for estrogen synthesis

Answer 24

Two-Cell, Two-Gonadotropin hypothesis

Question 25

why the 2 cell 2 gonadotropin hypothesis is needed

Answer 25

Theca cells can get cholesterol, but lack aromatase Granulosa cells have aromatase so they can make estrogens, but are limited in their capacity to get cholesterol

Question 26

secreted by the developing follicle increases the thickness of the endometrium (lining of the uterus)

Answer 26

Estradiol

Question 27

Is part of a negative feedback loop that tells the hypothalamus to stop making GnRH and also tells the anterior pituitary to stop making FSH and LH DURING THE FOLLICULAR PHASE

Answer 27

estradiol

Question 28

1) Estrogen continues to rise and, at high levels, has a positive feedback effect on LH (and FSH to a lesser extent)

Answer 28

Ovulation

Question 29

triggers ovulation of the most mature (dominant) follicle

Answer 29

LH surge

Question 30

release of oocyte

Answer 30

Ovulation

Question 31

path to ovulation

Answer 31

high estrogen -> LH surge -> ovulation

Question 32

MIDCYCLE this hormone stimulates GnRH production as well as FSH and LH production

Answer 32

estradiol

Question 33

a region within the hypothalamus. Larger in females than in males. Regulates ovulatory cycles

Answer 33

Anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV)

Question 34

Fallopian tube scrapes off oocyte from ovary

Answer 34

ovulation

Question 35

what does the corpus luteum secrete

Answer 35

progesterone and estrogen

Question 36

stimulates endometrial growth

Answer 36

progesterone

Question 37

Inhibits another LH surge

Answer 37

estrogen

Question 38

remains of an ovarian follicle that has released a mature oocyte

Answer 38

Corpus luteum

Question 39

process by which granulosa and thecal cell are converted to luteal cells

Answer 39

Luteinization

Question 40

Main functions involve menstruation and pregnancy, but also affects cognition, blood pressure, nerve function, etc. in men and women

Answer 40

progesterone

Question 41

causes the endometrial lining to differentiate and become secretory (produces substances to support implantation of egg)

Answer 41

progesterone

Question 42

Negative feedback inhibits further estrogen- induced LH surges during luteal phase

Answer 42

progesterone

Question 43

Corpus luteum has a finite life span and will slowly degrade (becomes corpus albicans)

Answer 43

Later Luteal Phase

Question 44

basically a scar on the surface of the ovary that is a remnant of ovulation. It has no endocrine function

Answer 44

Corpus albicans

Question 45

After the corpus luteum loses its ability to produce estradiol and progesterone, the endometrial layer degenerates and is accompanied by bleeding

Answer 45

Menstruation

Question 46

* High testosterone levels * Menstrual cycle irregularities * Cysts on ovaries * When ovulation doesn’t occur, follicles can develop into cysts. * Hair development on face

Answer 46

PCOS

Question 47

increasingly infrequent cycles

Answer 47

perimenopause

Question 48

amenorrhea (no menstruation) for a year; marks the end of your menstrual cycles (~45-55 yrs old)

Answer 48

menopause

Question 49

Ovarian reserve is depleted, and the ovarian cycle stops, resulting in: - Low estradiol and progesterone levels but high FSH and LH Low estradiol results in fluctuations in body temperature (hot flashes) and a higher risk of heart disease and bone loss (osteoporosis)

Answer 49

menopause

Question 50

Other sources of estrogen: brain, adrenals, and adipose tissue

Answer 50

Post-menopausal sources of estrogens

Question 51

becomes the dominant form of estrogen after menopause. It is principally derived by the conversion of adrenal androgens in adipose tissue

Answer 51

Estrone

Question 52

FSH and LH are suppressed by negative feedback, preventing follicle maturation and ovulation

Answer 52

Female Birth Control

Question 53

Placebos trigger withdrawal bleeding (fake menstruation) * Not necessary but is piece of mind you’re not pregnant

Answer 53

Female birth control

Question 54

mimics the luteal phase

Answer 54

female birth control