Repro 5- Female Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

What enzyme is essential in the production of sex hormones?

Answer 1

17alpha-hydroxylase.

Question 2

What enzyme is essential for converting androgens into estrogens?

Answer 2

Aromatase.

Question 3

What are the three different estrogens? Which one is the strongest?

Answer 3

Estrone. Estradiol. Estriol. [One, Two, Three;Man, Woman, Baby] Estradiol is the strongest.

Question 4

Where is estrone found and which cells make it?

Answer 4

Found in both sexes, it is produced by fat cells in periphery via aromatase converting the testosterone.

Question 5

Where is Estradiol found And what are it’s characteristics?

Answer 5

Produces in ovaries. Strongest and most abundant estrogen in women.

Question 6

Where is Estriol found?

Answer 6

Produces by placenta (pregnancy specific estrogen).

Question 7

What is the two cell theory of estradiol production?

Answer 7

The pulsatile release of GnRH stimulates the release of LH and FSH. LH goes to Theca cells in the ovaries: it absorbs cholesterol and turns it into androstenedione using the enzyme desmolase. The androstenedione crosses the basement membrane and goes into the granulosa cell (which are stimulated by FSH). Once in granulosa cells, the androstenedione is converted to estrodial by aromatase.

Question 8

What does estrogen do?

Answer 8

Upregulation of all receptors: estrogen, LH, and progesterone receptors. Feedback inhibition (Estrodial decreases LH and FSH release). Prolactin secretion (but blocks milk production). Increases SHBG. Secondary sex characteristics. Endometrial proliferation. Myometrial excitability. Favorable lipid profile.

Question 9

What is progesterone and what does it do?

Answer 9

“Counter-hormone to estrogen” Produced mainly in corpus luteum and placenta. It functions to maintain pregnancy; the withdrawal of this hormone induces menstruation. It decreases myometrial excitability. Thickens cervical mucus. Inhibits gonadotropins. Decreases estrogen receptor expressivity. Can be tracked by increase in body temperature.

Question 10

What do prostaglandins do In the uterus?

Answer 10

Locally acting messengers that contract or relax smooth muscle. Contraction of muscle is what causes menstrual cramps. Use COX inhibitors for dysmenorrhea.

Question 11

What is essential for ovulation during the menstrual cycle?

Answer 11

The LH surge.

Question 12

When does prosgeterone rise in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 12

Only after ovulation.

Question 13

How do we prolong the life of Corpus Luteum?

Answer 13

If beta-hCG from the placenta is present, the lifespan is extended to 6-7 weeks until the placenta is able to produce its own progesterone.

Question 14

What is the difference b/w Menorrhagia, Metrorrhagia, and Menometrorrhagia?

Answer 14

Menorrhagia: Heavy periods. Metrorrhagia: Frequent but irregular periods. Menometrorrhagia: Heavy, frequent periods.

Question 15

What is the difference b/w Oligomenorrhea and Polymenorrhea?

Answer 15

Oligomenorrhea: more than 35 day cycle. Polymenorrhea: less than 21 day cycle.

Question 16

What are the layers of the endometrium. Which layers are shed during menstruation?

Answer 16

From base to top: Stratum basale, Stratum spongiosum, Stratum compactum. The stratum basale is the only layer not shed during menstruation.

Question 17

What is Mittelschmerz?

Answer 17

Mid-cycle pelvic pain associated w/ ovulation: peritoneal irritation by serious fluid release from dominant follicle release the egg. It last 5 to 30 minutes, sharp and unilateral.

Question 18

When does the basal body temperature increase occur in relation to ovulation?

Answer 18

Basal body temp rises 24 hrs after ovulation.

Question 19

Which phase of the cell cycle are primary oocytes arrested until ovulation?

Answer 19

Prophase 1.

Question 20

Which phase of the cell cycle are secondary oocytes arrested until fertilization?

Answer 20

Arrested in Metaphase II. [egg MET a sperm].

Question 21

When does fertilization needs to occur And where?

Answer 21

Within 24 hours of ovulation in the ampulla of fallopian tube.

Question 22

When does implantation takes places after fertilization?

Answer 22

Around 6 days later.

Question 23

When is serum beta-hCG detectable? When in the urine?

Answer 23

1 week after fertilization. 2 weeks to be detectable in the urine.

Question 24

Which cells produce hCG, what does it do and to what other cells does it resemble?

Answer 24

It is produced by syncytiotrophoblasts of placenta. It stimulates corpus luteum to produce progesterone. It has same alpha subunit as LH, FSH, and TSH, but different beta subunit.

Question 25

In which pathologies do have increase of beta hCG?

Answer 25

Molar pregnancy. Gestational trophoblastic disease. Choriocarcinoma.

Question 26

What does prolactin do in lactation?

Answer 26

It induces and maintains lactation. It decreases reproductive function.

Question 27

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) causes Production of thick mucus that inhibit entry of sperm into the uterus?

Answer 27

Progesterone.

Question 28

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) induces LH surge?

Answer 28

Estrogen.

Question 29

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) causes Uterine smooth muscle relaxation?

Answer 29

Progesterone.

Question 30

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) causes follicle growth?

Answer 30

Estrogen.

Question 31

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) maintains pregnancy?

Answer 31

Progesterone.

Question 32

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) causes hepatic synthesis of transport proteins?

Answer 32

Estrogen.

Question 33

Which hormone (estrogen or progesterone) causes menstruation if withdrawn?

Answer 33

Progesterone.