Estrous Cycle Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the estrous cycle, essential for understanding reproductive physiology.

Follicular Phase

The phase of the estrous cycle during which follicles develop and mature.

Luteal Phase

The phase following ovulation characterized by the presence of the corpus luteum and hormone production.

Atresia

The process of follicle degeneration or resorption that occurs when follicles do not reach maturity.

Follicle Recruitment

The initial phase in which a cohort of follicles is stimulated to grow.

Selection

The process by which some follicles are chosen to continue development while others undergo atresia.

Dominance

A state where one follicle becomes the dominant follicle, capable of ovulation.

Metestrus

The stage of the estrous cycle following ovulation and preceding diestrus.

Diestrus

The phase characterized by the presence of a functional corpus luteum and high progesterone levels.

Proestrus

The phase leading up to estrus, marked by the growth of follicles and increasing estrogen production.

Estrus

The period when a female is receptive to mating, also known as heat.

Anestrus

A period of inactivity in the reproductive cycle, where there are no active ovarian follicles.

Polyestrus

Refers to species that experience multiple estrous cycles throughout the year.

Seasonally Polyestrus

Species that have clusters of estrous cycles during specific seasons of the year.

Monoestrus

Species that have one estrous cycle per year.

LH Pulse Frequency

The frequency at which luteinizing hormone (LH) is released into the bloodstream, varying throughout the estrous cycle.

Estradiol

A primary female sex hormone produced by the ovaries, crucial for the estrous cycle.

StAR Protein

Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein, a transport protein essential for cholesterol transfer in steroid hormone synthesis.

Gonadotropin

Hormones, such as LH and FSH, that stimulate the activity of the gonads (ovaries in females).

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone, a gonadotropin that promotes follicle maturation.

Inhibin

A hormone produced by the ovaries that inhibits FSH secretion.

Corpus Luteum

The structure that develops from an ovulated follicle and produces progesterone.

Corpus Albicans

The scar tissue formed from the degeneration of the corpus luteum.

Estrous Cycle Length

The duration of the complete cycle, varying by species (e.g., cows, mares, sows, ewes).

Relationship of FSH and Estradiol

FSH stimulates follicular growth, which subsequently increases estradiol levels.

Ovulatory Follicle

The matured follicle that releases an ovum during the process of ovulation.

Steroidogenesis

The biological process by which steroid hormones are generated from cholesterol.