Female Reproductive Physiology pt.III

The ovarian cycle refers to the:

growth and maturation of an oocyte in preparation for fertilization and reproduction

The ovarian cycle typically repeats every:

28 days

The ovarian cycle typically repeats every:

pregnant

The follicular phase occurs during which days of the ovarian cycle?

Days 1–14

The follicular phase involves the recruitment and preparation of a:

Primary oocyte into a secondary oocyte

A follicle is best described as…

A layer of cells surrounding the oocyte

Ovulation typically occurs on which day of the ovarian cycle?

Day 14

A surge in which hormone causes ovulation?

LH

During ovulation, a mature _____ is released from its follicle.

secondary oocyte

After ovulation, the secondary oocyte can be fertilized by:

sperm

The luteal phase occurs during which days of the ovarian cycle?

Days 15-28

The luteal phase includes the development of the:

Corpus Luteum

The corpus luteum primarily produces:

Estrogen and progesterone

During pregnancy, the corpus luteum eventually becomes the

Placenta

The uterine cycle refers to the:

the preparation of the uterine lining of pregnancy

What is menses?

The shedding of the uterine lining called the endometrium from the previous menstrual cycle

During the proliferative phase, which hormone increases?

Estrogen

What happens during the proliferative phase?

the uterine walls thickens to prepare for implantation

Which hormone is dominant during the secretory phase?

Progesterone

What stimulates progesterone during the secretory phase?

LH

What is the purpose of the secretory phase?

To prepare the corpus luteum and endometrium for possible fertilized ovum implantation

What is maintained in the uterus if fertilization occurs?

Uterine endometrium (lining)

Which hormone first helps maintain the uterine endometrium after fertilization?

Progesterone

Progesterone is released from which structure?

Corpus Luteum

What hormone is released after progesterone to help maintain pregnancy?

A hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

What is the main function of hCG during early pregnancy?

Maintains the corpus luteum

Until what week does hCG maintain the corpus luteum?

7th week

From which week does the placenta begin producing its own progesterone?

Week 7

What does placenta-produced progesterone help maintain?

Endometrium

High levels of estradiol and progesterone from the placenta block the secretion of which hormone?

GnRH

Estradiol is primarily involved in which process during pregnancy?

Breast development

Progesterone is primarily involved in which function during pregnancy?

Uterine maintenance

What hormone is also produced by the placenta to support breast development and milk production?

hPL (human placental lactogen)

hPL is mainly involved in which two processes?

Breast development and milk production

hPL plays an essential role in fetal nutrition by affecting which maternal metabolic processes?

Glucose and fatty acid metabolism

What hormone increases from the placenta a few weeks before delivery to help prepare for birth?

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

During delivery, which hormone level decreases?

progesterone

During delivery, which hormone levels increase?

Oxytocin and Inhibin

Increased inhibin, along with other hormonal changes during birth, helps relax what structures?

Cervix and pelvic ligaments

Relaxation of the cervix and pelvic ligaments allows what to happen?

Increased cervical stretch

Increased cervical stretch triggers the release of which hormone?

Oxytocin

Oxytocin release leads to what effect on the uterus?

Stronger uterine contractions

The cycle of cervical stretching, oxytocin release, and uterine contractions is an example of what type of feedback?

Positive Feedback