15.5 Describe the hormonal control of the ovarian and menstrual cycles

Name the female reproductive system organs

- Ovaries

- Duct System

( - Uterine tubes

(fallopian tubes)

- Uterus

- Vagina)

- External genitalia

Describe the ovaries

-Development, maturation and release of oocytes

- Controlled by hormones (FSH & LH)

- All phases of oocyte development in this diagram

What are the 3 ovarian follicle stages

- primary follicle

- graafian (vesicular) follicle

- ovulation

Describe the primary follicle stage

- contains an immature oocyte

Describe the graafian (vesicular) follicle

- growing follicle with a maturing oocyte

Describe ovulation

- when the egg is

mature the follicle ruptures.

The egg is released and

follicular cells remain part of

ovary as corpus luteum (CL)

- occurs about every 28 days

Female reproductive system

Describe the menstural (uterine) cycle

- cyclic changes of the endometrium (inside lining of the uterus)

- regulated by cyclic production of estrogens (E) and progesterone (P) produced by the ovaries

- preparation for implantation of fertilised egg

What are the stages of the menstrual cycle

menses

proliferative stage

secretory stage

Describe the menses stage

functional layer

of the endometrium is

sloughed = period (low E &

P)

Describe the proliferative stage

regeneration of functional

layer - rising E

Describe the secretory stage

endometrium increases in size and readies for implantation, rich in nutrients - E& P

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

1. Follicles stimulated to grow by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from anterior

pituitary

2. Growing follicles produce E. Uterine wall

proliferative phase.

3. High levels E promote release of luteinizing hormone (LH) resulting in

ovulation

4. Corpus luteum left on ovary produces E & P.

Uterine wall secretory phase.

5. E & P inhibit release of FSH & LH (no more eggs

develop)

6. Waiting to see if fertilisaton occurs

7. Corpus luteum dies if not pregnant and E & P drop

= period