Cpm Study Cards: Female Reproductive Hormones & The Menstrual Cycle

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spinnbarkeit

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stringy property, especially of cervical mucous, just before ovulation

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germ cells

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the egg & sperm; gametes

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HPG axis

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hypothalamic-piuitary-gonadal axis

cooperative glandular system comprised of 3 separate glands. controls uterine and ovarian cycles

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HcG

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human chlorionic gonadotrophin

hormone made during pregnancy; measured via blood or urine to test for pregnancy. in blood, can also test for inform re: gestational age, viability, and multiple pregnancy.

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gonadal

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pertaining to gonads

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anovulatory

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menstrual cycle in which an oocyte is not released

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estrogens

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main estrogens: estradiol, estrone, & estriol

control breast development, secondary sex characteristics (fat distribution, hair growth, etc)

assists in maturation of the ovarian follicles; cause endometrial mucosa to proliferate during menstrual cycle

inhibits FSH production; stimulates LH

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progesterone

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major functions: preparation of the endometrium for implantation; maintenance of pregnancy

secreted by corpus luteum, in greatest concentration during luteal phase; also produced in placenta

peaks at 4 mo. gestation

inhibits smooth muscle; inhibits prolactin

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androgens

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types: testosterone, dehydroisoandrosterone, & androsterones

primarily a male hormone; small amounts produced in female adrenal glands

during pregnancy can cause chloasma, changes in growth of body hair, and changes in sex drive

in men, promotes maturation of spermatozoa

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relaxin

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increases during pregnancy

aides cervical softening & ligament softening to relax the pelvic bones and facilitate the birth process

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pituitary gonadotrophic hormones

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hormones produced in the pituitary glands that that stimulate the growth and activity of the gonads

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gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF)

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produced by hypothalamus when estrogen and progesterone levels are low.

releasing hormone that causes the production follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by anterior pituitary gland

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follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

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produced by anterior pituitary gland

stimulated by GnRF, inhibited by inhibin

controls growth and maturity of the graafian follicle; stimulates estrogen production, and oocyte maturation

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luteinizing hormone (LH)

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produced by anterior pituitary gland

production stimulated by GnRH

triggers ovulation which is followed by secretory/ luteal phase; stimulates creation of the corpus luteum and progestin secretion

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para-cervical ganglia

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sheaths of sympathetic nerve fibers situated close behind and on either side of the cervix

contact with presenting part transmits stimulus through para-cervical ganglia triggering oxytocin release

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uterine arteries

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branches of the internal iliac artery which supply blood to the uterus

each branch enters at the base of the broad ligament and attached to either side of the uterus

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uterine veins

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uterine blood supply removed by uterine veins

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uterovaginal plexus

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network of veins which returns the blood from the uterus and vagina

form a plexus (network) of exceedingly thin-walled vessels which are embedded in the layers of the uterine muscles

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mittleschmertz

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a sharp cramp that some women feel as the ovum is released

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corpus albicans

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if pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum regresses and is replaced by the corpus albicans ("white body")

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menstruation

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periodic discharge of blood, mucous, epithelial cells, and one or more unfertilized ovum

generally occurs on a lunar cycle of 28 days, but can vary widely

series of changes in the endometrium of the non-pregnant woman

occurs on days 1-6 of the 28-day menstrual cycle

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follicular phase

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aka: pre-ovulatory phase, proliferative phase, or estrogenic phase

immediately follows menstruation

endometrium increases 6-8 times following menses

graafian follicles mature and secrete estrogen

lasts 10-13 days, depending on length of menstruation. ends with ovulation on day 14

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luteal phase

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aka: secretory or post-ovulatory phase

after ovulation, endometrial glands incrase and widen, glands secrete and store glycogen, mucin, and other substances to nourish the fertilized ovum.

corpus luteum forms, secretes progesterone

lasts 10 days; ends with menstruation. days 14-26

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premenstrual phase

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aka ischemic phase

not always a recognized phase.

estrogen and progesterone levels drop; spiral arteries vasoconstrict; endometrium becomes pale

lasts several days; ends with menstruation; days 26-28

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menstrual cycle

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generally lasts 28 days

begins with menstruation

after menstruation, endometrium is repaired and ovulation occurs; if an ovum is fertilized, the endometrium adapts to nourish it. if pregnancy does not occur, menstruation occurs.

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hormonal process of ovulation

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1. hypothalamus releases FSHRF
2. during follicular phase, graafian follicles secrete high levels of estrogen
3. stimulates anterior pituitary gland to release FSH
4. FSH stimulates graafian follicle to mature and leads it towards ovulation
5. Hypothalamus secretes LHRF
6. LHRF releases LH
7. LH triggers ovulation
8. ovulation followed by luteal phase; corpus luteum forms

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fibrinolysis

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a blood clotting factor that prevents hemorrhage during menstruation

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menarche

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a young woman's first menstrual cycle

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inhibin

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produced by sustenacular cells of testes and granulosa cells of the ovaries

stimulated by factors released by developing spermatozoa (male) and developing follicles (female)

inhibits secretion of FSH (and possibly GnRF)