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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in the female monthly cycle?
What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in the female monthly cycle?
- Releasing gonadotropins (correct)
- Secreting estrogen
- Controlling body temperature
- Regulating thyroid hormones
What happens to the majority of follicles stimulated at the beginning of each ovarian cycle?
What happens to the majority of follicles stimulated at the beginning of each ovarian cycle?
- They produce excess estrogen
- They all mature and release oocytes
- They form multiple mature graafian follicles
- They degenerate and become atretic (correct)
What is formed over the oocyte just before ovulation?
What is formed over the oocyte just before ovulation?
- Graafian structure
- Zygotic layer
- Cumulus oophorus (correct)
- Follicular membrane
Which hormones primarily influence the growth of the graafian follicle?
Which hormones primarily influence the growth of the graafian follicle?
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What occurs when a follicle becomes atretic?
What occurs when a follicle becomes atretic?
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Study Notes
Hormonal Regulation of the Ovarian Cycle
- Hypothalamus initiates female monthly cycles through secretion of gonadotropins.
- Key gonadotropins are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
- FSH and LH regulate cyclic changes within the ovaries.
Follicular Development
- At the beginning of each ovarian cycle, 15 to 20 follicles are stimulated to grow by FSH.
- Typically, only one follicle matures fully, while the others undergo degeneration, becoming atretic.
- Atretic follicles result in the degeneration of the oocyte and surrounding follicular cells, replaced by connective tissue.
Ovulation Process
- Just before ovulation, the developing follicle undergoes rapid growth, forming a graafian follicle.
- The surface of the ovaries shows local bulging due to the maturation of the graafian follicle.
- Prior to ovulation, the oocyte and adjacent ovarian wall cells form the cumulus oophorus, which encases the oocyte.
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