Functions of female sex hormones

what are the two female sex hormones and which are the most important ones?

• Oestrogen → Estradiol

• Progestin → Progesterone

what are the two sites of oestrogen synthesis?

• Ovaries: in granulosa cells of the ovarian follicle → E1 + Estrone + E2, Estradiol are formed

• Extragonadal synthesis: Adrenal cortex, adipose tissue, liver, breast, skin, and brain.

what is the site of progesterone synthesis?

Luteal cells

how are female sex hormones transported?

in blood via albumin

what is the metabolism of oestrogen?

1. liver conjugation produces glucuronides + sulfates

2. Estradiol + estrone → estriol

3. small amount is excreted in urine

what is the metabolism of progesterone?

degradation forms pregnanediol → excreted in urine

(used to estimate level of progesterone formation)

what happens to oestrogen in liver disease?

oestrogen activity increases causing:

• hyperestrinism

• gynecomastia

• plamer erythema

• spider naevi

describe the negative feedback mechanism involved in regulation of female sex hormones?

Decrease sex hormones due to degradation of corpus luteum before menstruation → increase of GnRH, FSH, and LH → follicular growth + starting new cycle.

describe the positive feedback mechanism involved in regulation of female sex hormones?

increase oestrogen before ovulation → LH surge → ovulation

what are the three forms of oestrogen and which one do the ovaries secrete?

• E1: Estrone

• E2: β - Estradiol (ovaries + more potent)

• E3: Estriol

what are the effects of oestrogen on the uterus?

• size increases by 2-3 times after puberty

• Increased muscle + blood flow → higher excitability

• Proliferation of endometrial stromal/glands

• More sensitive to oxytocin

what are the effects of oestrogen on cervical mucus?

mucus becomes watery, slippery and stretchy

what are the effects of oestrogen on the fallopian tubes?

• increased motility

• increased number of ciliated epithelial cells

what are the effects of oestrogen on the vagina? think cells

vaginal epithelium shifts from cuboidal to stratified

what are the effects of oestrogen on breast tissue?

• stromal tissue development

• fat deposition

• growth of duct system

• pigmentation of areolas

what are the effects of oestrogen on the skeleton?

• inhibits osteoclastic activity → more bone growth

• is responsible for epiphyseal plates → no height growth

what are the effects of oestrogen on metabolism?

• increased fat deposition → feminine figure

• Less cortisol

• Protein anabolism

what are the effects of oestrogen on skin?

• soft and smooth

• more vascular

• warmer

what is the most important progestin and what releases it?

progesterone → corpus luteum

what are the effects of progesterone on the uterus?

• promotes secretory changes in uterine endometrium during secretory phase

• anti-estrogenic → less excitable

• Less uterine contraction → no expelled egg

what are the effects of progesterone on the cervical mucus?

decreases volume

makes it thicker and sticky

→ non-fertile

what are the effects of progesterone on fallopian tubes?

promotes increased secretion by the mucosal lining of the fallopian tubes → nutrition of fertilised ovum

what are the effects of progesterone on breast tissue?

• alveologenesis → secretory functions

• breast swelling

what are the effects of progesterone on body temp?

increases temp by 0.5F during luteal phase

where is the enzyme desmolase found and what does it down?

• found in theca cells

• regulates action of oestrogen and progesterone