Reproductive Physiology - 2 Flashcards
Which hormone stimulates the release of FSH and LH? Where is it released from?
GnRH (gonadotrophin releasing hormone)
The hypothalamus
Where are FSH and LH released from?
The anterior pituitary
How do estrogen and progesterone feedback to regulate production of GnRH and FSH & LH?
Most of the cycle they negatively feedback to regulate hormone levels
At day 12-14 of the menstrual cycle estrogen positively feedbacks to induce ovulation via an LH surge
A spike in which hormone causes ovulation?
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Spike caused by positive feedback from estrogen
after ovulation, what happens to the follicle? What changes occur in hormone secretion?
The ruptured follicle develops into a corpus luteum
Estrogen begins to fall and progesterone rises
At menstruation what happens to the corpus luteum?
the corpus luteum degenerates into the corpus albicans and a new cycle can begin
How does the thickness of the endometrium progress through the course of the menstrual cycle?
Early - endometrium is thin, begins to thicken as increasing estrogen is released over the cycle
Ovulation - thickening continues and decidualization begins
Before day 28 - maximum thickness reached, if there is no pregnancy then bleeding ensues and thickness rapidly decreases
What effect does progesterone have on the endometrium during the menstrual cycle?
The secretion of progesterone causes decidualization of the endometrium
- Vascular and other cellular changes in preparation for pregnancy
What is amenorrhoea? What are the two types?
Condition of not having period bleeding
Primary - never had a period
Secondary - had periods but have stopped
What is hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism?
Failure of function of the gonads due to improper secretion of gonadotropin hormones (FSH, LH, prolactin)
Usually due to lesions / chemical imbalances in the hypothalamic - pituitary region
What is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism (improper ovarian function) due to pathology at the gonads (ovaries) themselves
Gonadotropins are high (FSH & LH) but gonads don’t respond efficiently to them
