reproductive system study guide part c

discuss the four primary functions of estrogen in female reproductive physiology

1. maturation and maintenance of the female reproductive system

2. establishment of female secondary sexual characteristics

3. ova maturation and release

4. transport of sperm from the vagina to the site of fertilization in the oviduct

summarize the two principal functions of the female ovaries

produce estrogen and progesterone

summarize the most important functions of progesterone in the female reproductive cycle.

prepare a suitable environment for nourishing the developing embryo and fetus

where does oogenesis occur?

outermost layer of the ovaries

discuss the first part of oogenesis regarding the oogonia turning into primary oocyte

oogonia (undifferentiated primordial sex cells) divide mitotically to produce diploid primary oocyte (surrounded by a primary follicle). most follicles do NOT mature to ova or ovulate

discuss the process of oogenesis from puberty to menopause where primary oocytes (follicles) develop

primary oocytes go through 1st meiotic division just before ovulation forming a secondary oocyte and a smaller first polar body

discuss what happens during oogenesis when the secondary oocyte is ovulated and potentially fertilized

if fertilized a second meiotic division occurs, this produces a secondary polar body (haploid) and a haploid mature ovum. if fertilized unites w/ haploid sperm cell

primary different between follicular and literal phases of the ovarian cycle

follicular = low hormone levels

literal = high hormone levels

purpose of follicular phase

mature granulosa cells to follicles

discuss the three major steps of the follicular phase

1. granulosa cells of some primary follicles proliferate

2. the oocyte inside of each follicle is enlarging

3. theca cells in the follicle secrete increased amounts of estrogen which circulates throughout the body; one follicle grows rapidly, maturing in 14 days for ovulation

how long does it take the follicle to mature? what happens once it reaches maturity?

14 days; released from ovary → oviduct where it may or may not be fertilized

define/describe ovulation

the follicle ruptures to release the oocyte from the ovary

what is the corpus luteum?

the follicle left behind in the ovary after it loses its sex cell by ovulation; controls last 14 days of cycle; secretes progesterone and estrogen

the ovarian cycle is regulated by complex hormonal interactions. list the 4 key hormones involved.

FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone.

the follicular phase starts with a rise in which hormone?

FSH

the rise in FSH in the follicular phase signals the ovarian follicle to what?

secrete more estrogen

a rise in estrogen by the ovarian follicle inhibits the secretion of what hormone?

FSH; which steadily declines as follicular phase proceeds

after FSH secretion is inhibited, what hormone begins to rise? what does this trigger?

LH rises in the follicular phase, peak triggers ovulation

ovulation triggers two things, what are they?

1. estrogen levels decrease

2. mature follicle is converted to a corpus luteum

what hormone(S) is secreted by the corpus luteum during the luteal phase?

progesterone and estrogen

the release of progesterone from the corpus luteum during the luteal phase does what?

progesterone inhibits the release of FSH and LH

what happens after the drop of FSH and LH in the luteal phase?

low LH degenerates corpus luteum and progesterone declines; FSH can start to rise again, cycle repeats.

there are concurrent changes in the uterus with the cyclical changes in the hormones during the female cycle. describe what happens in the beginning of the cycle.

there are concurrent changes in the uterus with the cyclical changes in the hormones during the female cycle. describe what happens in the proliferative phase of the cycle.

there are concurrent changes in the uterus with the cyclical changes in the hormones during the female cycle. describe what happens in the secretory phase of the cycle.

there are concurrent changes in the uterus with the cyclical changes in the hormones during the female cycle. describe what happens in the end of the cycle.

what is menopause?

what are fimbriae? describe their function

for how long can sperm survive in the female reproductive tract

what is an ectopic pregnancy?

briefly describe how sperm migration is “helped” by the female reproductive tract

explain the function of acrosomal enzymes in the context of conception

describe the zygote and what it forms? location?

describe the morula and what it forms. function? location?

blastocyst

describe the blastocyst and its layers

summarize the function of the trophoblast

what is the function of the placenta?

list the 5 placental hormones that play an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy.

describe human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone

describe estrogen function

describe progesterone function (placenta)

describe relaxin function (placenta)

describe placental PTHrp function (placenta)

summarize the role of fetal CRH in preparation for parturition

describe the 3 stage process of labor

1. cervical dilation

2. birth of the baby

3. placental birth; series of secondary contractions separate the placenta from the myometrium and expels it

list the 4 hormones involved in lactation

estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, oxytocin

estrogen function lactation

promotes extensive duct development in breasts

progesterone function lactation

stimulates alveolar lobular development

prolactin function lactation

contributes to mammary gland development and milk secretion

oxytocin function lactation

induces milk ejection

discuss some of the advantages breast feeding offers to both mom and baby

1. release oxytocin which speeds up the process of the uterus returning to its normal size

2. offers immune cells to the infant