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Test #5 Notes 2

This document summarizes the key components and functions of the female reproductive system. It describes the organs involved including the vagina, cervix, uterus, oviducts, and ovaries. It explains the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle and follicular development by the hormones estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. It also covers pregnancy, labor, lactation, and the hormonal changes involved in each of these processes.

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44 views

Test #5 Notes 2

This document summarizes the key components and functions of the female reproductive system. It describes the organs involved including the vagina, cervix, uterus, oviducts, and ovaries. It explains the hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle and follicular development by the hormones estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. It also covers pregnancy, labor, lactation, and the hormonal changes involved in each of these processes.

Uploaded by

api-3723612
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Female Reproductive System

 Vagina
 Cervix
 Uterus – myometrium, endometrium
 Oviducts
 Ovaries
 Follicle – Estrogen production
 Thecal cells
 Granulosa cells
 Oocyte
 Follicular Development - Primordial follicle → maturation →
ovulation → ovum + corpus luteum
 Corpus Luteum – Progesterone and estrogen production
Ovarian Hormone Production
~Estrogens - Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3)
 E2 -physiologically most important

 E3 - produced by placenta

Progesterone
 Corpus Luteum – source in non-pregnant
women
 Placenta – source during pregnancy
Circulation of Ovarian
Steroids

 Estradiol – Sex steroid-binding


globulin
 Progesterone – Transcortin

Actions of Estradiol and Progesterone


 Developmental
 Estradiol - reproductive tract
2° sexual characteristics
Adults

Target Tissue Estradiol Progesterone


Uterus Maintenance
Endometrium Proliferation Secretion
↑ Blood supply ↑ Blood supply
Myometrium ↑ Contractions ↓ Contractions
Cervical mucus ↓ Viscosity ↑ Viscosity
Mammary gland Growth of ducts Growth of alveoli
Other ↑ Follicular development ↑ Basal body temperature
↑ Bone Density
Hormone Actions
 Developmental Effects (Estrogen)
-development of reproductive tract
-2o sexual characteristics
-pubertal growth spurt and fusion of
epiphyseal plates
Ac tio ns o f Estrogen

 Contraceptive. Why?
suppress FSH secretion and follicular maturation

 Reproductive - “Preparatory”
 uterus
 endometrial growth & development

 myometrial excitability
 vagina
 growth & cornification of epithelium
 glandular secretion
 mammary gland
 growth & development ducts
Ac tio ns o f Estrogen
 Metabolic
 Cardiovascular
 favorable lipoprotein profile
 vitamin K-dependent coagulation
 Skeletal
 blocks PTH-induced bone reabsorption
 Electrolytes
 enhanced sodium and water retention
 edema
 Reproductive - “Maintenance”
 uterus
 endometrial secretion - implantation
 myometrial relaxation
 mammary gland
 growth & development - alveolar
 ovary
 suppress estrogen secretion
Acti ons of Prog esti ns

 Contraceptive
 suppress LH secretion and ovulation
 increase viscosity cervical mucous
 decrease sperm motility & transit time
 decrease ciliary & peristaltic movement fallopian
tubes
 impede ovum transport
Mechanisms of Action
 lipophilic hormones – cytosolic/nuclear
receptors
Metabolism of Ovarian Steroids
 Site - liver
 Excretion - urine
 Consequences – inactivation

Regulation of Ovarian Function


 Control of Follicular Development and Secretion
 1. FSH
 2. LH
 3. Estradiol
Actions of LH, FSH, and estradiol on follicular development. LH binds to thecal
receptors and increases testosterone (test) production by increasing the conversion of
cholesterol (chol) to pregnenolone (preg) via the cAMP-protein kinase (PK) second
messenger system. FSH uses the same system to control the conversion of testosterone
to estradiol (E2) by granulosa cells.
 Ovulation – LH surge

Control of Corpus Luteum


 Steroid secretion
 Luteal Life Span – luteotropins (LH,
HCG)
Control of Gonadotropin Secretion
Tonic

Feedback loops controlling tonic secretion of LH and FSH and


steroidogenesis by the follicle and corpus luteum
LH Sur ge, day 14 th
posi ti ve fee dba ck
mechani sm
GABA
Control of the Menstrual
Cycle
Pituitary

Blood
Age Related Changes in
Reproductive Function

 Prepuberty-GnRH levels are low


 Puberty - ↑ GnRH → FSH + LH → 2°
sexual characteristics
 Adrenarche → Adrenal androgens →
libido, pubic hair
 Menopause – ovarian failure
(cessation of menstrual cycles)
Pathophysiology

Hypogonadism
 1. Amenorrhea
Hypergonadism
 1. Before Puberty – Precocious puberty
 2. Adults - Amenorrhea, Oligomenorrhea
~excessive estradiol which blocks LH & FSH
Pregnancy
Roles of Progesterone to Maintain Pregnancy

Period Source of Progesterone Actions


Preimplantation CL of menstrual cycle Stimulates secretion of nutrients
by oviduct and uterus
Primes uterus so decidua forms at
implantation
Early CL of pregnancy Prevents menstruation; maintains
postimplantation stimulated by hCG decidual tissue
2nd – 3rd trimester Placenta Prevents uterine contractions
Hormonal changes duri ng pregnancy
Roles of Other Hormones

Estrogens – Estriol (E3)


 a. Stimulates myometrium
 b. Mammary gland development → lactation
 C. Parturition
Initiation
Labor, Uteri ne
contract ion → oxytoc in
secreti on

Positive feedback loop causing uterine contractions during labor. The


initial uterine contractions force the fetus downward, stretching the
cervix and triggering the neuroendocrine reflex
Lactation

Structure of the mammary gland and of an alveolus within the gland


Mi lk Producti on – requi res many hormones
a. Prol acti n – requi red for mil k
secreti on
b. Oxy toci n – m ilk ej ecti on ref lex

Neuroendocrine reflex controlling milk secretion and ejection


Cessation of lactation
- Absence of sucking → ↓ prolactin,
oxytocin
 Effects on other endocrine systems
 Hyperprolactinemia → ↓ GnRH →
postpartum amenorrhea

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