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Reproductive Physiology-Female objectives

Know the general structural organization and physiological


functions of the various segments of the female reproductive system,
including the reproductive tract & ovaries.
-Follicles: OOCYTE+SUPPORTING CELL
-What is the function of the supporting cells? Make essential steroid
hormones and regulate the regrowth and differentiation of the uterine
endometrium
-What are the supporting cells in a follicle?
Granulosa cells: Immediately surround the oocyte like Sertoli Cells
Respond to FSH and function in the nutritional and growth support of the
gamete
Theca Interna Cells similar to Leydig Cells. Respond to LH.Fn to make
androgenic steroid hormones.
THE MAIN STEROID IS ANDROSTENEDIONE.

-In the ovary, estradiol is formed from the conversion of


testosterone into estradiol by the enzyme cytochrome P450 aromatase in
the GRANUOSA CELLS.
-However granulosa cells do not have the enzyme 17 alpha
hydroxylase/lyase and thus cannot convert progesterone into androgens
-Where does the andgrogens come from for the Granulosa cells do
convert testosterone into estradiol? They come from the neighbooring
Theca Intern Cells.

Know the functional distinction between the ovulatory and


endometrial cycles and understand that they occur along a parallel
time course and are regulated by the identical hormonal mechanism.

-Ovulatory Cycle: Related to Follicle Maturation & Ovulation within the


Ovary.
-Purpose? Generate an ovum copetent for Fertilization and create a
Hormonal Enviroment optimized for zygote implantation and survival within
the uterus.
-Endometrial (Menstral Cycle): Cause Endometrial Growth and Secretion
of the lining of the Uterus
-Is the female reproductive process controlled by the hypothalamic-anterior
pituitary gonadal axis? So this would involve GnRH regulation of FSH and LH.
-What are the primary steroid hormones that control the female repro cycle?
Estradiol and Progesterone (these are secreted by the ovaries) and
regulated by? FSH and LH
-What hormone blocks FSH (-) regulation? Inhibin B
Know (a) the physiological event that marks the end and start of a
cycle, (b) the time course of an average ovulatory cycle and (c) the
general processes associated with each of the major ovarian phases in
relation to follicle and ova development and maturation.
-What is the PHYSIOLOGICAL PURPOSE of the ovulatory cycle? PRODUCE AN
OVUM (viable for fertilization). Also TO PRODUCE APPROPRIATE TYPES AND
AMOUNTS OF STEROID HORMONES NECESSARY FOR THE OVUM MATURATION
AND ENDOMETRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ZYGOTE SURVIVAL AND
IMPLANTATION.
-How long is the average ovulatory cycle? The average total cycle length is
mature females is 28 DAYS. Normal range is 20-45 days. Shorter, longer, or
iregular cycles are statistically associated with decreased fertility.
-What are the three PHYSIOLOGICAL PHASES THAT ARE REGULATED BY
corresponding rhythimal fluctuations in the secretion of various hormones?
1. Follicular phase
2.Ovulation
3.Luteal Phase
Know which phase mainly accounts for the cycle length variation
between women and understand the physiological basis for this
variation compared to relative consistency of other phases. Based on
this principle, be able to predict the timing of ovulation during a 28 day
cycle. 20 day cycle. 40 day cycle, etc.

-Day 0: First appearance of MENSTRAUL BLEEDING (new ovarian cycle).


Physiologically the start of a new cycle corresponds to the recruitment of a
new cohort of ovarian follicles (6-12) by FSH.
-Menses correlated well with the initiation f new follicle development. It also
marks the end of the previous cycle.
-ONSET OF MENSES=START OF A NEW CYCLE END OF PREVIOUS CYCLE
-Follicular PHASE: FIRST PHASE OF o cycle extends temporally from the onset
of menses through ovulation: release of a mature ovum from an ovarian
follicle.
Understand the general mechanism of ovulatory and endometrial
cycle control by hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones,
including the regulatory relationships and sites of secretion of GnRH,
LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, and inhibin B.
Know the primary hormones involved in the regulation of each cycle
phase and be able to distinguish their specific functions in the
process by correlating physiological events occurs due to progressive
oocyte depletion that begins before birth and is completed between
the fourth and fifth decade of life.
Know the mechanism by which primordial follicles are recruited to
develop at the start of the follicular phase and be able to describe why
only one follicle typically matures to ovulation in terms of hormonal
fluxes associated with this phase.
Be able to recognize and correlate events related to follicular growth
with gonadotropin and ovarian hormone fluxes observed during the
follicular phase and distinguish from other phases of the cycle.
Know that the LH surge is responsible for and absolutely necessary for
initiating ovulation and understand that it results from the positive
feedback mechanism initiated between estradiol and pituitary
gonadotrophs.
Be able to describe the cellular mechanisms leading to rupture of
the follicle during ovulation, including the specific processes initiated
by the LH surge and how they collectively contribute to follicle rupture.
Be able to describe the mitotic and meiotic processes as they
relate to oocyte maturation, including the meiotic phase of the oocyte
at different stages of development from before birth through
fertilization by sperm.
Know the two phases of meiosis arrest that occur during oocyte
development and the physiological events that allow the oocyte to
progress through each phase.
Know the general cellular changes involved in the luteinization of
the follicle into the corpus luteum after ovulation and be able to
identify (a) hormone responsible for luteinization of follicle, (b)
predominant steroid hormone secreted by corpus luteum, (c) lifespan
of corpus luteum in absence of embryo implantation, (d) main cause of
corpus luteum involution, (e) hormone responsible for rescuing corpus
luteum during pregnancy and (f) duration of this extended lifespan.
Know the 4 basic stages of the endometrial cycle and how they
correspond to the phases of the ovarian cycle.
Be able to describe the general physical changes that occur to the
endometrium during each phase and know the hormones and hormone
fluctuations that cause these changes during each stage.
understand why endometrial degeneration parallels involution of
the corpus luteum.
Understand the general biochemical pathways leading to
progesterone and estradiol biosynthesis in the ovary, including the role
of aromatase, and know the predominant pathway utilized during the
follicular and luteal phases of the cycle.
Know the three major estrogenic hormones produced in females and
be able to rank them in terms of their relative potency.
Know the major physiological functions of the estrogens and
progesterone in addition to their roles in regulating the reproductive
cycles.
Be able to distinguish the terms puberty, menarch, and adrenarch.
Be able to compare and contrast the effects of puberty and
menopause on relative levels of estradiol, and gonadotropins based on
hormonal feedback principles.
Know the principle manifestations that develop in relation to female
puberty and menopause.
Know that female menopause and infertility fundamentally occurs
due to progressive oocyte depletion that begins before birth and is
completed between the fourth and fifth decade of life.

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