Ovulatory Cycle, Conception, and Fertility Flashcards
(38 cards)
Hormones
regulatory substances in an organism and transported into tissue fluids such as blood to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action
A woman’s monthly cycles are controlled by the release of what hormones?
Estrogen, progesterone, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and lutenizing hormone (LH)
What does FSH do?
It triggers ovarian follicle development.
What does LH do?
It triggers the release of the egg from the most mature follicle
Hypothalamus
Dominant factor in controlling the anterior pituitary gland which in turn controls the ovaries. It releases gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to release the sex hormones called gonadotrophins (FSH and LH)
What hormones do the overlies release back to the brain?
Estrogen and Progesterone
What is Estrogen responsible for?
The secondary sex characteristics: growth of the breasts, female body shape, distribution of body hair, stimulates the growth of the bacteria that increases the acidity in the vagina, causes fluid retention.
How long does the Ovarian cycle last?
About 28 days. It begins with menstruation. Under the influence of estrogen the endometrium is then rebuilt.
When do the follicles begin to develop?
About day 25 of the previous cycle.
When does the egg begin to develop and mature?
ABout day 5 of the cycle.
What group of cells surrounds each egg?
Follicle
How many follicles ripen each month?
About 20 of these fluid filled sacs, one outgrows the others.
When does the peak fertile period occur?
When the egg is released from the ovary, about 14 days before the end of the cycle, regardless of the total length of the cycle.
Middleschmertz
pain experienced when the egg bursts from the ovary.
What happens after the egg leaves the ovary?
It travels down the fallopian tube where it awaits fertilization by a sperm (drawn in by the fimbria)
How long can the e.g. live if fertilization does not occur?
12-24 hours
Corpus Luteum
Site where the egg was released from the ovary, it becomes a yellow body that produces progesterone until about 10 weeks when the placenta takes over; lasts for 12-14 days unless it begins receiving HCG
Luteal phase
named after the corpus luteum and is the second half of a woman’s menstrual cycle, beginning after ovulation and continuing until menstruation occurs
What does progesterone do after ovulation?
Makes the lining of the uterus thick for implantation, causes changes to the uterine lining, increases blood supply to the uterus, causes increase of temperature in ovulation, gives sensation of fulness of breasts before menstruation.
What are the three phases of the menstrual cycle?
The Menstrual phase, the proliferative phase, the secretory phase
Menstrual phase
Lasts for 3-7 days; endometrium is shed since it is not needed to develop an embryo
Proliferative phase
Proceeds from menstruation through to ovulation; the endometrium is reforming and thickening
SEcretory phase
Following ovulation and is controlled by the estrogen and progesterone released by the corpus luteum. The endometrium thickens and becomes spongy. If an egg has been fertilized it will proceed to the uterus where it will embed in the endometrium and grow to form an embryo.
What three factors must be present for conception?
A healthy egg, a healthy sperm, and a healthy medium in which the pserm can travel and thrive. This medium is fertile quality cervical fluid
