Female Reproductive Physiology Chapter 82

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Questions and Answers

What happens to primary oocytes during puberty?

They are all stimulated to develop further and complete meiosis I

They are all lost by atresia

They start to develop and complete meiosis II

Rising FSH triggers the start of ovarian cycle and some primary oocytes are stimulated to develop further and complete meiosis I (correct)

What surrounds the immature oocyte in a primordial follicle?

Graafian cells

Support cells and oocyte maturation-inhibiting factor

Support cells (correct)

Oocyte maturation-inhibiting factor

What is the peak number of primordial follicles before birth?

15 million

7 million (correct)

10 million

1 million

What happens to the primordial follicles that do not develop after puberty?

They may either remain quiescent, die by attrition, or begin development but later be lost by atresia Signup and view all the answers

What marks the end of the follicular phase?

Ovulation Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main phases of the ovarian cycle?

Follicular phase and luteal phase Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the granulosa cells in the developing follicle?

To produce follicular fluid and cause antrum formation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of accelerated growth in late tertiary follicles?

Estrogen-stimulated increase in granulosa cell receptor numbers Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic that distinguishes an antral follicle from earlier stages of follicular development?

The appearance of an antrum or cavity within the granulosa cell mass Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the theca externa in follicular development?

To become the capsule of the developing follicle Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which smaller follicles undergo regression and degeneration?

Atresia Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the large tertiary follicle that is expected to be sufficient for ovulation?

Graafian follicle Signup and view all the answers

What happens to progesterone and estrogen levels after the 26th day of the cycle?

They drop Signup and view all the answers

What is stimulated by the increase in GnRH pulse frequency?

LH and FSH secretion Signup and view all the answers

What are the three things related to the LH surge?

Meiotic maturation, ovulation, and luteinization Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of events in the uterine lining?

Proliferation, secretory changes, and menstruation Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is no negative feedback after the 26th day of the cycle?

LH and FSH levels increase Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the female monthly sexual cycle?

To optimize the chance of fertility with one mature oocyte Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone prepares the endometrium for implantation?

Progesterone Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the corpus luteum?

To secrete progesterone Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of the menstrual cycle in humans?

1 month Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the hormone-secreting gland that is temporary during pregnancy?

Placenta Signup and view all the answers

What is the fate of the multiple follicles that start to develop in the female monthly sexual cycle?

One matures, and the rest undergo atresia Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the formation of the corpus luteum in the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

High LH levels Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the follicle wall during ovulation?

It releases proteolytic enzymes from lysosomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of prostaglandins in the follicular tissues during ovulation?

They vasodilate Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate day of ovulation in a 28-day menstrual cycle?

Day 14 Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that contains the ovum and a mass of granulosa cells released during ovulation?

Corona radiata Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of GnRH pulse frequency in the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

It stimulates the secretion of LH Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ovarian Cycle

Primary oocytes remain in suspended development or arrest (prophase of meiosis I) until puberty.
At puberty, rising FSH triggers the start of the ovarian cycle, and some primary oocytes are stimulated to develop further and complete meiosis I.

Follicular Growth and Maturation

Primordial follicles contain immature oocytes surrounded by support cells (granulosa cells).
Peak number of primordial follicles is approximately 7 million before birth, kept quiescent by oocyte maturation-inhibiting factor.
With puberty, 4 potential fates for each primordial follicle: • Remain quiescent • Die by attrition • Begin development but later be lost by atresia • Theca externa (vascular connective tissue) becomes the capsule of the developing follicle

Follicular Cycle

Formation of secondary follicle and tertiary follicle.
Theca cells and granulosa cells are present.
Antrum containing follicular fluid with high estrogen levels appears in granulosa cell mass, identifying characteristic of antral follicle.

Late Tertiary Follicle (Graafian Follicle)

Accelerated growth occurs due to estrogen and pituitary FSH, causing an increase in estrogen receptor number on granulosa cells.
Estrogen and LH increase granulosa cell proliferation and secretion, leading to explosive growth.

Ovulation and Luteal Phase

One large tertiary follicle (Graafian follicle) is expected to ovulate.
Rest of the follicles undergo atresia.
LH surge triggers ovulation, meiotic maturation, and luteinization.

Luteal Phase

High LH levels promote progesterone secretion and corpus luteum formation.
LH maintains the structure and secretory function of the corpus luteum.

Uterine Cycle

Proliferation of uterine endometrium and secretory changes occur in preparation for possible pregnancy.

Hormonal Regulation

Estrogen and progesterone levels drop after ovulation.
GnRH pulse frequency increases, stimulating FSH secretion, and the ovarian cycle begins again.
Inhibin, activin, and follistatin are involved in endocrine function.

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Description

Review of female reproductive physiology covering the ovarian cycle, hormone cycle, uterine cycle, and endocrine function of estrogen, progesterone, activin, inhibin, and follistatin. Understand the complex coordination of female reproduction, preparation for conception and pregnancy, and pregnancy itself. This quiz is based on Guyton & Hall's 14th edition.