Female Reproduction

Question 1

Why is the female reproductive tract acidified?

Answer 1

To prevent opportunistic infections

Question 2

Describe the descent of the ovaries?

Answer 2

The female gubernaculum extends from the inferior pole of the ovary to the labioscrotal fold.
The ovaries eventually lodge just inferior to the brim of the lesser pelvis.
The gubernaculum becomes a pair of ligament that support the ovary and uterus

Question 3

Wher is most of the progesterone produced?

Answer 3

Corpus Luteum

Question 4

What is the finger-like projection on the uterine tube?

Answer 4

Fimbriae

Question 5

What layer responds to progesterone and estrogen?

Answer 5

Endometrium

Question 6

Where is the most estrogen produced?

Answer 6

Occyte

Question 7

What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall?

Answer 7

Perimetrium (external serosa)
Myometrium (middle muscular layer)
Endometrium (inner mucosa)

Question 8

List the 5 Female hormones?

Answer 8

GnRH (hypothalamus)
FSH & LH (anterior pituitary)
Estrogen & Progesterone (ovary)

Question 9

Describecontrol of ovulation by the pituitary and ovarian hormones?

Answer 9

1. Maturing follicle secretes estrogen
2. Estrogen stimulates hypothalamus & anterior pituitary
3. Hypothalamus secretes GnRh
4. GnRH & estrogen stimulate pituitary to secrete LH & FSH
5. Oocyte completes meiosis I, follicle rapidly enlarges and then ovulates

Question 10

What are the functions of the hormones of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 10

FSH - causes an egg follicle to start developing in the ovary, the level peaks just before ovulation

LH - Triggers ovulation on about day 14 of the menstrual cycle, the leve lpeaks just at ovulation

Question 11

What are the functions of the hormones of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 11

Estrogen - Nourishing cells in the follicle produce estrogen, the level peaks just before ovulation

Progesterone - Corpus luteum makes progesterone to thicken the endometrium, the level peaks a few days before menstruation

Question 12

What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 12

1. Follicular Phase Days 1-14
2. Ovulation Day 14
3. Luteal Phase Days 15-28

Question 13

Describe the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 13

Egg development: stimulated by FSH, the egg begins to grow in the follicle

Ruptering of the follicle: At ovulation the mature egg is released

Question 14

Describe the Luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 14

Corpus Luteum: formed from the emptey follicle, this produces progesterone

Corpus Albican: The empty follicle dies at he end of the menstrual cycle

Question 15

What are the phases of the Menstrual cycle?

Answer 15

Menstrual Phase Days 1-5
Proliferative Phase Days 6-13
Secretory Phase Days 15-26
Premenstrual Phase Days 27-28

Question 16

Menstruation?

Answer 16

Menstrual blood contains cells shed from the lining of the endometrium

Question 17

Proliferative Phase?

Answer 17

In response to increased estrogen levels, blood vessels lengthen

Question 18

Secretory Phase?

Answer 18

Endometrial glands enlarge and produce nutrients, lining thickened by progesterone

Question 19

Overview of the follicular phase?

Answer 19

Controled by hormones, the average menstrual cycle is 28 days
From about days 5, pituitary FSH promotes the growth of follicle in the ovary
Follicular cells produce estrogen which build up the endometrium, the uterine lining in readiness for implantation for fertilized egg

Question 20

Overview of Ovulation?

Answer 20

In middle cycle, surge of pituitary LH causes ovulation

The corpus luteum secretes progesterone which reinforces estrogen and builds up the endometrium to its maximum thickness

Question 21

If not fertilized? (Menstrual Cycle)

Answer 21

If egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates in the last few days of the cycle and the lining (stratum functionalis) is shed during menstruation which marks the start of new cycle

Question 22

If fertilized? (Menstrual Cycle)

Answer 22

If fertilization occures about day 14, the fertilized egg secretes HCG
This maintains the corpus luteum and its output of progesterone and estrogen so that the endometrium is maintained during pregnancy and menstruation does not occur
The endometrium then nourishes the fertilized egg (about 6 mos)
*Placenta maintains last 3 months by producing estrogen and progesterone

Question 23

What are the hormones of pregnancy?

Answer 23

HCG
Estrogen
Progesteron

Question 24

HCG? (Pregnancy)

Answer 24

Secreted by the blastocyst & placenta = allows for a positive pregnancy test (8-9) after conception
Peaks around 10-12 weeks, the nfalls to a low level for the rest of gestation
Like LH, it stimulates growth of corpus luteum = an increase in estrogen & progesterone
With out HCG, the corpus luteum would degenerate and the uterus would expel is contents

Question 25

Estrogen? (Pregnancy)

Answer 25

Causes the mothers uterus and external genitalia to enlarge, the mammary ducts would would grow, and the breast would also increase in size
Makes the pelvis widen during pregnancy and the pelvic outlet expands during childbirth

Question 26

Progesterone? (Pregnancy)

Answer 26

Progesterone & estrogen suppress pituitary secretion of FSH anf LH
Prevents menstruations and promotes the proliferation of the endometrium

Question 27

HCG functions the same as what hormone?

Answer 27

LH