Key Terms

Question 1

infecundity

Answer 1

Biological inability to bear children after one year of unprotected intercourse.

Question 2

infertility

Answer 2

Involuntary absence of production of children.

Question 3

Fertility

Answer 3

Actual production of children. The word best applies to specific vital statistic rates, but it is commonly taken to mean the ability to bear children.

Question 4

fecundity

Answer 4

Biological ability to bear children.

Question 5

fetus

Answer 5

The developing organism from eight weeks after conception to the moment of birth.

Question 6

endocrine

Answer 6

A system of ductless glands, such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes, that produces secretions that affect body functions.

Question 7

subfertile

Answer 7

Reduced level of fertility characterized by unusually long time to conception (over 12 months) or repeated pregnancy losses.

Question 8

hypothalamus

Answer 8

A section of the brain responsible for the production of many hormones and other chemical substances that affect body functions such as temperature regulation, thirst, hunger, sleep, mood, reproduction, and the release of other hormones within the body.

Question 9

pituitary gland

Answer 9

A pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. It is connected to the hypothalamus and produces and secretes growth hormone, prolactin, oxytocin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and other hormones in response to signals from the hypothalamus.

Question 10

follicular phase

Answer 10

the first stage of the menstrual cycle, beginning on the first day of menstruation and ending with ovulation. It’s characterized by the development of ovarian follicles and a rise in estrogen levels. This phase prepares the ovaries for ovulation and the uterus for potential pregnancy.

Question 11

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Answer 11

a hormone produced by the hypothalamus that plays a vital role in regulating the reproductive system. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn stimulate the gonads (testes and ovaries) to produce sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.

Question 12

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 12

a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in both males and females, playing a crucial role in reproductive function and sexual development. In females, FSH helps mature ovarian follicles, stimulates estrogen production, and regulates the menstrual cycle. In males, FSH is essential for sperm production.

Question 13

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 13

a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in reproductive function in both men and women. In women, LH helps regulate the menstrual cycle, triggers ovulation (egg release), and stimulates progesterone production. In men, LH stimulates the testes to produce testosterone.

Question 14

luteal phase

Answer 14

he second half of the menstrual cycle, occurring after ovulation and before menstruation. It typically lasts for 12-16 days. During this phase, the corpus luteum (a temporary gland in the ovary) produces progesterone, which prepares the uterine lining for potential implantation. If fertilization doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum degrades, leading to a decrease in progesterone and the shedding of the uterine lining.

Question 15

corpus luteum

Answer 15

A tissue about 12 mm in diameter formed from the follicle that contained the ovum prior to its release. It produces estrogen and progesterone. The “yellow body” derivation comes from the accumulation of lipid precursors of these hormones in the corpus luteum.

Question 16

androgens

Answer 16

Types of steroid hormones produced in the testes, ovaries, and adrenal cortex from cholesterol. Some androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) stimulate development and functioning of male sex organs.

Question 17

Sertoli cells

Answer 17

Cells in the testes that secrete substances that nourish and support the maturation of immature sperm cells.

Question 18

leptin

Answer 18

A protein secreted by fat cells that, by binding to specific receptor sites in the hypothalamus, decreases appetite, increases energy expenditure, and stimulates gonadotropin secretion. Leptin levels are elevated by high, and reduced by low, levels of body fat.

Question 19

body mass index

Answer 19

Weight (kg) / Height (m)² or Weight (lb) / Height (in)² x 703

Question 20

anovulatory cycles

Answer 20

Menstrual cycles in which ovulation does not occur.

Question 21

amenorrhea

Answer 21

Absence of menstrual cycle.

Question 22

functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

Answer 22

Defined as a nonorganic (not due to disease) and reversible disorder in the hypothalamus which impairs gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatile secretion and suspends ovulation and menstrual cycles.

Question 23

periconceptional period

Answer 23

The time period around conception, variously measured in weeks or months depending on the pregnancy outcomes of interest.

Question 24

embryo

Answer 24

The developing organism from conception through 8 weeks.

Question 25

DNA methylation

Answer 25

The modification of a replicated strand of DNA by addition of a methyl group () to specific regions of the strand. Methylation can suppress the activity of certain genes in ways that affect metabolic processes and disease risk. It is a normal part of development and is needed for cellular differentiation and organ development but can also be influenced by nutritional and other environmental exposures.

Question 26

neural tube defects (NTDs)

Answer 26

A group of birth defects that are caused by incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, or their protective coverings. Spina bifida is one of the most common types of neural tube defects.

Question 27

small for gestational age (SGA)

Answer 27

Newborn weight is less than 10th percentile for gestational age. Also called small for date (SFD).

Question 28

intra-abdominal fat

Answer 28

Fat located within the abdominal cavity around organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Intra- abdominal fat is referred to as visceral fat and is much more metabolically active than fat stored in other parts of the body.

Question 29

polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS

Answer 29

A disorder primarily characterized by androgen excess (particularly testosterone), polycystic ovaries, and ovulatory dysfunction.

Question 30

premenstrual syndrome

Answer 30

A condition occurring among women of reproductive age that includes a group of physical and psychological symptoms with onset in the luteal phase and subsiding with menstrual bleeding. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS.

Question 31

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Answer 31

A severe form of PMS characterized by disabling irritability, sadness, anxiety, depression, and various other symptoms. It begins during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and ends with menstrual bleeding.

Question 32

placenta

Answer 32

A disk-shaped organ of nutrient and gas interchange between mother and fetus. At term, the placenta weighs about 15 percent of the weight of the fetus.

Question 33

edema

Answer 33

Swelling (usually of the legs and feet, but can also extend throughout the body) due to an accumulation of extracellular fluid.

Question 34

amniotic fluid

Answer 34

The fluid contained in the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus in the uterus.

Question 35

critical periods

Answer 35

Preprogrammed time periods during embryonic and fetal development when specific cells, organs, and tissues are formed and integrated, or functional levels established. Also called sensitive periods.

Question 36

disproportionately small for gestational age (dSGA)

Answer 36

Newborn weight is less than 10th percentile of weight for gestational age; length and head circumference are normal. Also called asymmetrical SGA.

Question 37

proportionately small for gestational age (pSGA)

Answer 37

Newborn weight, length, and head circumference are less than 10th percentile for gestational age. Also called symmetrical SGA.

Question 38

appropriate for gestational age (AGA)

Answer 38

Weight, length, and head circumference are between the 10th and 90th percentiles for gestational age.

Question 39

large for gestational age (LGA)

Answer 39

Weight for gestational age exceeds the 90th percentile for gestational age. Also defined as birthweight greater than 4,500 g (10 lb) and referred to as excessively sized for gestational age, or macrosomic.

Question 40

developmental plasticity

Answer 40

The concept that development can be modified by particular environmental conditions experienced by a fetus or infant.

Question 41

epigenetic

Answer 41

Heritable changes in gene function that do not entail a change in DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in the silencing and expression of noncoding portions of genes.

Question 42

gravida

Answer 42

Number of pregnancies a woman has experienced.

Question 43

parity

Answer 43

The number of previous deliveries experienced by a woman; nulliparous 5 no previous deliveries, primiparous 5 one previous delivery, multiparous 5 two or more previous deliveries. Women who have delivered infants are considered to be parous.

Question 44

bioactive food components

Answer 44

Constituents in foods or dietary supplements other than those needed to meet basic human nutritional needs that are responsible for changes in health status.

Question 45

pica

Answer 45

An eating disorder characterized by the compulsion to eat substances that are not food.

Question 46

dysgeusia

Answer 46

Changes in taste. During pregnancy, changes are thought to be caused by hormonal changes.