Module 4 - Reproductive

Question 1

In which region of the fallopian tube does fertilisation typically take place

Answer 1

Ampulla

Question 2

Where does sperm capacitation take place

Answer 2

Isthmus

Question 3

What volume of fluid in the seminal flour is produced by the prostate gland

Answer 3

It produces 25% of fluid volume is the seminal fluid, with majority coming from the secretory glands.

Question 4

What is the role of the prostate gland in relation to ejaculation

Answer 4

The prostate gland produces proteases to fluidise the ejaculate, which enhances sperm motility and creates anti microbial

Question 5

True or False: The corpus spongiosum is erectile tissues within the penis that becomes engorged with blood, allowing an erection to occur

Answer 5

False - it is the corpora cavernosa that contain the erectile tissue.

The urethra would be squashed if it were the corpus spongiosum

Question 6

What is the cortical reaction

Answer 6

The cortical reaction is when increased calcium ions trigger exocytosis of cortical granules within the oocyte, hardening the zona pellucida.

Question 7

What is the central control of reproduction?

Answer 7

hypothalamus and pituitary - affect the gonads (testes and ovaries) and other reproductive organs.

Question 8

Spermiogenesis is the process by which

Answer 8

spermatids differentiate into spermatozoa.

Question 9

What are THREE (3) common causes of female infertility requiring assisted reproductive
technology (ART)?

Answer 9

Ovulatory Disorders

Tubal Factor Infertility

Age-Related Infertility

Question 10

What is it NOT possible to ‘fix’ with ART?

Answer 10

Genetic Disorders

Severe Uterine Abnormalities

Advanced Age-Related Decline in Egg Quality

Irreversible Damage to Reproductive Organs

Question 11

How is follicle growth and recruitment regulated hormonally?

Answer 11

Hormonal regulation of follicle growth and recruitment involves hormones such as FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone).

Question 12

What are the key processes involved in oogenesis and folliculogenesis?

Answer 12

Oogenesis and folliculogenesis are the processes of egg cell development within follicles. Oogenesis involves meiosis.

Question 13

What is the role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis in the female reproductive system?

Answer 13

The HPG axis controls the release of hormones that regulate reproduction by controlling the uterine and ovarian cycles.

In females, the positive feedback loop between estrogen and luteinizing hormone help to prepare the follicle in the ovary and the uterus for ovulation and implantation.

Question 14

What is the ovarian cycle?

Answer 14

The ovarian cycle is the series of events that occur in the ovaries, including follicle development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation.

Question 15

Explain the 2-cell 2-gonadotropin hypothesis.

Answer 15

The 2-cell 2-gonadotropin hypothesis describes how two types of cells in the ovary produce hormones (estrogen and progesterone) under the influence of two gonadotropin hormones (FSH and LH).

Question 16

What is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 16

The menstrual cycle is a monthly series of changes in a woman’s body that involves the shedding of the uterine lining (menstruation) and preparation for potential pregnancy.

Question 17

Name the organs and tubules in the male reproductive system.

Answer 17

The male reproductive system includes organs such as the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, and accessory glands like the prostate gland.

Question 18

What is the structure and function of the scrotum?

Answer 18

The scrotum is a pouch of skin that houses the testes and helps regulate their temperature for optimal sperm production.

Question 19

Name the major compartments and cells of the testis and describe their functions.

Answer 19

The testis has compartments called seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue. The seminiferous tubules contain cells that support spermatogenesis, while interstitial tissue produces testosterone.

Question 20

What is spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis?

Answer 20

Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm cell production, while spermiogenesis is the transformation of immature sperm cells into mature, functional sperm.

Question 21

Explain the role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis in males.

Answer 21

The HPG axis regulates the production of testosterone in males, which is essential for various male reproductive functions.

Question 22

How does testosterone levels change throughout the life-course in males?

Answer 22

Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood and gradually decline with age.

Question 23

What are the major functions of male hormones in the body?

Answer 23

Male hormones, primarily testosterone, play a crucial role in regulating secondary sexual characteristics, maintaining reproductive function, and influencing various physiological processes in the body.

Question 24

What are the two main types of ovarian follicles?

Answer 24

A follicle with a single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells is called a **primary follicle. **

A follicle with more than one layer of granulosa cells is called a secondary follicle

Question 25

What are the functional units of the ovary

Answer 25

The functional units of the ovary are known as ovarian follicles

Ovarian follicles are the basic structural and functional units of the female reproductive system and play a crucial role in the production and maturation of ova (eggs). Each ovarian follicle consists of different cell layers surrounding an immature egg cell, or oocyte.

Question 26

What does “Gamete transport” refer to?

Answer 26

Gamete transport is the process of getting the sperm and egg together.

Question 27

What is the role of the oviduct in oocyte transport?

Answer 27

The oviduct plays a crucial role in the transport of oocytes (egg cells) from the ovary to the uterus.

Question 28

What happens during sperm maturation and transport in the male reproductive tract?

Answer 28

Sperm maturation and transport in the male reproductive tract involve the development and movement of sperm cells as they prepare for fertilization.

Question 29

What are accessory glands, and what is the significance of seminal plasma?

Answer 29

Accessory glands are glands that produce seminal plasma, which is the fluid that carries and nourishes sperm during ejaculation.

Question 30

Describe the anatomy of the penis.

Answer 30

The penis is the male reproductive organ consisting of the root, body, and glans. It has a cylindrical shape and is involved in the delivery of sperm during intercourse.

Question 31

What occurs during sperm maturation and transport in the mal reproductive tract?

Answer 31

The sperm move into the epididymis, where they complete their development. The sperm then move to the vas deferens (VAS DEF-uh-runz), or sperm duct. The seminal vesicles and prostate gland make a whitish fluid called seminal fluid, which mixes with sperm to form semen when a male is sexually stimulated.

Question 32

What is sperm capacitation?

Answer 32

Sperm capacitation is the process by which sperm become capable of fertilizing an egg.

Question 33

What is the acrosome reaction?

Answer 33

The acrosome reaction is the release of enzymes from the sperm’s acrosome to penetrate the egg’s protective layers.

Question 34

What is fertilization?

Answer 34

Fertilization is the process in which a sperm cell combines with an egg cell, resulting in the formation of a zygote, which has the full complement of genetic material.

Question 35

What is pre-implantation embryo development?

Answer 35

Pre-implantation embryo development is the stage during which the fertilized egg (zygote) undergoes multiple cell divisions and develops into a multicellular embryo before implantation in the uterus.

Question 36

What is the process of implantation of the blastocyst?

Answer 36

Implantation of the blastocyst is the attachment and embedding of the developing embryo (blastocyst) into the uterine lining, where it establishes a connection for nourishment and further development.

Question 37

EXAM QUESTION: What is the purpose of administering a daily injection of FSH for 8 to 10 days, followed by an injection of LH, in a treatment schedule for in vitro fertilization (IVF), considering the actions of gonadotropins on follicle cells to regulate ovarian function?

Answer 37

• FSH is for growth of follicles; acts on granulosa cells to drive conversion of androgens to estrogens which drives proliferation of the granulosa cells
• Injection of LH provides LH surge that triggers resumption of meiosis

Question 38

As sperm is transported out of the seminiferous tubules in the testis, the next tubules it enters
on its way to the epididymis are the

Answer 38

Efferent ductules.

Question 39

The cells of the blastocyst that will eventually form the placenta are the

Answer 39

Trophoblast cells

Question 40

What is the fundamental genetic outcome of meiosis in both spermatogenesis and oogenesis, and how does it relate to the chromosome number in gametes

Answer 40

Meiosis halves the number of chromosomes present in the gametes.

Both spermatogenesis (in males) and oogenesis (in females) involve meiosis, which reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid gametes.