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Endocrine physiology > Female reproductive physiology > Flashcards

Female reproductive physiology Flashcards

1
Q

what organs does the female reproductive system involve?

A
  • 2 ovaries
  • 2 fallopian tubes
  • 1 uterus
  • cervix
  • vagina
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2
Q

what is the lower portion of the uterus called?

A

the cervix

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3
Q

what is puberty?

A

the period which the reproductive organs mature and reproduction becomes possible

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4
Q

why does puberty occur earlier now than before?

A
  • healthier environment
  • perfect nutrition
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5
Q

what are the main female sex hormones?

A
  • oestrogen
  • progesterone
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6
Q

what is estradiol (form of oestrogen) & what is it important for?

A
  • estradiol is the major ovarian steroid sex hormone
  • essential for the development of secondary sex characteristics such as increases in bone density, breat development etc
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7
Q

what are the phases of the menstrual cycle?

A
  • menstruation
  • follicular phase
  • ovulation
  • luteal phase
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8
Q

what is the follicular phase?

A
  • longest phase of the menstrual cycle
  • the follicles in the ovary mature from a primary follicle to a fully mature follicle
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9
Q

what is the luteal phase?

WHAT IS IT CHARACTERISED BY?

A
  • fixed at around 14 days long
  • characterised by **changes in hormone levels **- such as increases progesterone & estrogen levels and a decrease in FSH and LH
  • there is also** changes to the endometrial lining** of the uterus in order to potentially implant a fertilised egg
  • The corpus luteum also develops
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10
Q

what are the main hormones involved in the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis?

what are they and what secretes them?

A
  • GnRH released by the hypothalamus
  • FSH and LH released by the anterior pituitry gland
  • oestrogen, progesterone & inhibin released by ovaries
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11
Q

Describe te secretion of FSH during the menstrual cycle

A
  • FSH increases in the early follicular phase, and then steadily decreases throughout the remainder of the cycle
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12
Q

Describe LH secretion during the menstrual cycle

A
  • LH is constant during most of the follicular phase
  • it then shows a big peak called the LH surge just before ovulation
  • it then decreases during the luteal phase
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13
Q

what is ovulation?

A
  • the expulsion of a mature oocyte to the abdominal cavity and is collected by a trumpet shaped distal end of the uterine tube - triggered by LH surge
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14
Q

Describe oestrogen during the menstrual cycle

A
  • oestrogen concentration increases rapidly during the 2nd week of the menstural cycle
  • it then starts to decline just before the LH surge
  • after that there is a second increase as the corpus luteum secretes it
  • then there is a rapid decrease during the final days of the cycle
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15
Q

Describe progesterone secretion during the menstural cycle

A
  • small amounts of progesterone are released during the follicular phase
  • the corpus luteum begins to release progesterone and the pattern is then similiar to oestrogen
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16
Q

what are the functions of oestrogen?

A
  • development of secondary sex characteristics
  • fertility
  • increases fallopian tube motility (contractions) uterine contraction
  • stimulates endometrial growth
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17
Q

why is an increase in fallopian tube contractions / female reproductive organ contractions important for sperm motility?

A

the contractions help to push the sperm forward

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18
Q

what are the functions of progesterone?

A
  • decreases uterine contractions
  • decreases cervical/ vaginal actions and therefore decreases sperm motility
  • inhibits milk let down
  • important for the maintenance of the pregnant state
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19
Q

what hormones inhibit and stimulate milk let down?

A
  • prolactin stimulates milk let down
  • progesterone inhibits milk let down
20
Q

what are the several functions of the ovary?

A
  • oogenesis - production of female gametes
  • maturation of the oocyte
  • expulsion of the mature oocyte (ovulation)
  • secretion of the female sex hormones - oestrogen, progesterone & inhibin
21
Q

what is a ovarian follicle?

A
  • they are the basic functioning unit of an ovary
  • each one contains an oocyte
22
Q

what is an oocyte?

A

a female germ cell that gives rise to an ovum (egg)

23
Q

what are the 2 endocrine cells of the ovary?

A
  • theca cells
  • granulosa cells
24
Q

what are the theca cells (ie what are the 2 layers and what is their function?)

A
  • 2 layers - theca externa and theca interna
  • they synthesise androgen called androstenedione in response to LH
  • they are indirectly involved in the production of estradiol (E2)
25
Q

what are the granulosa cells & what is their function?

A
  • endocrine cells of the ovary
  • They produce estradiol in response to FSH but** only if the theca cells produce androgens in response to LH**
26
Q

what is the primary type of follicle?

A

primordial follicles - consist of 1 primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cells called granulosa cells

27
Q

what does the primordial/primary follicle develop into?

A
  • secondary follicles
  • this is characterised by an increase in size of the oocyte
  • proliferation of the granulosa cells into multiple layers
28
Q

what do the secondary follicles develop into ?

& what are the distinctive characteristics?

A
  • tertiary follicles
  • characterised by proliferation of the granulosa cells and differentiation into different layers called theca cells
  • the primary oocyte reaches its full size and is surrounded by a fluid filled space called an antrum
29
Q

what is a mature oocyte called?

A

a graafian follicle

30
Q

what is the corpus leteum?

A
  • a temporary endocrine structure within the ovary
  • forms at the site of a follicle in the ovary that has released its ovum
  • secretes progesterone, oestrogen and inhibin
31
Q

what is the difference between granulosa cells and theca cells?

A
  • Granulosa lutein cells are closest to the central connective tissue core of the corpus luteum and produce progesterone. .. also secrete estrogen
  • Theca lutein cells are smaller cells than the former with** dark-staining nuclei**. These cells produce estrogen and are located peripherally between the folds of the granulosa lutein cells.
32
Q

what is ovotesticular disorder of sex development?

A
  • when an infant is born with the internal reproductive glands of both sexes (female ovaries & male testes)
  • 46 XX
33
Q

what is female psuedohermaphroditism?

A
  • a female has matching chromosomal and gonadal tissue sex but mismatching external genitalia
  • clitorial hypertrophy is present
34
Q

what is the main cause of female pseudohermaphroditism?

A
  • congenital adrenal hyperplasia (enlargement of the adrenal gland)
  • excessive production of androgens
35
Q

what is male pseudohermaphroditsm?

A
  • matching chromosomal and gonadal sex tissue but mismatching external genitalia
36
Q

what is the main cause of male psuedohermaphroditism?

A
  • inadequate production of testosterone and AMH (anti-mullarian hormone)
37
Q

what is androgen insensitivity syndrome?

A
  • when an individual has testes but female appearance including breasts
  • there is no mensturation and no pubic hair
38
Q

what is the cause of androgen insensitivity syndrome?

A
  • a genetic defect on X chromosome resulting in resistance to the action of testosterone in the fetus - therefore masculisation is inhibited
39
Q

what is 5 alpha reducatse deficiency?

A
  • an inherited autosomal recessive disorder
  • mutation in the SRD5A2 gene enoding 5 alpha reductase
  • a lack of 5AR means a lack of the conversion of testosteroe into dihydrotesosterone
40
Q

what are the characteristics of 5 alpha reducatse deficiency?

A
  • female external genitalia
  • micro penis
  • decreased male fertility
41
Q

Describe natural contraception

A
  • 80% effectivity
  • no side effects
  • requires a daily record of temperature and mucous secretion
  • temperature drops before ovulation
  • can only be used by women who have a regular cycle
42
Q

Describe the 2 forms of oral contraception

A
  1. combined oral contraception - the pill - contains both estradiol and progesterone, 99% effective, prevents ovulation
  2. progesterone only pill - ie the mini pill, prevents ovulation, and prevents sperm getting through the cervix and prevents an egg from implanting, 99% effective
43
Q

what are the advantages of 17b - estradiol (E2) versus ethinylestradiol?

A
  • less negative impact on liver metabolism
  • higher protective effect in rgard to osteoporosis
  • higher positive effects on skin, vaginal epithelium and connective tissue
44
Q

what is emergency contraception?

what are the different types

A
  • morning after pill
  • progesterone - effective up to 72 hours after intercourse
  • ullipristol ECF - effective up to 5 days after intercourse - from GP
45
Q

what is an IUD?

A
  • T shaped device
  • contains either copper or levonorgestrel (progesterone)
  • inserted into the uterus
  • lasts for 3 years / 5 years

Endocrine physiology (19 decks)

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