Female Reproduction Flashcards
(148 cards)
What is the hormone that is synthesized in the hypothalamus, travels to the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and causes the release of gonadotropin?
gonadotropin – releasing hormone (Gn – RH)
What are the three vessels/plexuses that transport hormones from the hypothalamus to the pituitary?
The primary capillary plexus, the hypophyseal portal veins, and the secondary capillary plexus
What are the cells in the anterior pituitary the secrete FSH and LH? Are they acidophils or basophils?
Gonadotropes - basophils
What are the two hormones that affect ovarian function?
LH and FSH
What does FSH stimulate?
the maturation of an ovarian follicle and prepares the enclosed oocyte for ovulation.
What part of the oocyte produces estrogen and progesterone?
Granulosa cells
What is the function of the estrogen and progesterone produced by the oocytes?
Synthesis of the endometrial lining
When do LH ad SH levels spike? What coincides with this?
Day 13 (midcycle), release of the oocyte
What does FSH do?
Stimulate the maturation of folicles in the ovary
What happens to the remaining granulosa cells after the ooyte leaves the ovary?
Turn into Corpus Luteum
What does LH do?
Stimulates the formation of the Corpus luteum
What are the relative levels of progesterone and estrogen from day 1-12ish?
Low
When do estrogen levels spike?
Day 12, falls, then rises after day 15.
When do progesterone levels spike?
Day 15
What are the three layers of the uterus?
Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium
What is the function of the corpus luteum?
Produces estrogen and progesterone
What happens to the corpus luteum if there is implantation? What if there is not?
No implantation = degenerates after 14 days, to become the corpus albuginea
Implantation = sticks around and does its thing until late pregnancy
What is the signal for the corpus luteum to stick around? What produces this?
hCG from the syncytiotrophoblast
What is below the endometrium? Is this layer shed?
Basal layer, which is not shed
What are the two types of cells that comprise the CL, and secrete estrogen/prgesterone?
Follicle granulosa and Theca cells
What is the epithelium of the ovary called? What type of epithelium is it?
Germinal epithelium
Simple squamous or cuboidal epithelium (mesothelium).
What is the whitish capsule that surrounds an ovary? What is it made of?
Tunica albuginea made of dense, irr CT
What is region that is immediately deep to the tunica albuginea? What is contained within this region?
Cortical region made up of the stroma and ovarian follicles
What is the stroma of the ovarian? What is it made of?
CT layer of the cortical region made of smooth muscle fibers