CHAPTER 5 REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH

4.2 ROLE OF HORMONE IN

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

WHAT IS MENSTRUATION?
The breakdown of the lining of the uterus
wall which will discharged through the
vagina with a small amount of some cells
and blood.

WHAT IS MENSTRUAL
CYCLE
A monthly, cyclical production of ova that
is regulated and synchronised by a
number of different hormones.
The first day of menstruation is
considered as the first day of menstrual
cycle.
Usually lasts for 28 days

Events in menstrual cycle

DAYS
1-5
6-13
14
15-24

25-28

EVENT OCCUR
IN OVARY
IN UTERUS
Primary follicles
Menstruation occur
developed
Graafian follicle
Repairing and
matured
thickening of
Ovulation occur
endometrium
Development of
Continuous thickening
corpus luteum
of endometrium wall
and blood vessels
inside endometrium
Degeneration of
Breakage of
Corpus Luteum (if
endometrium (if no
no fertilization)
implantation)

IMPORTANCE OF MENSTRUAL
CYCLE:
Controls the development of the ovum,
ovulation, and follicular development.
Coordinates and synchronises
development of endometrium so that
when ovulation occurs, the thicker and
vascularised uterine wall is more ready to
accept implantation of a fertilised ovum.

INVOLVEMENT OF FEMALE SEX

HORMONES IN MESTRUAL CYCLE
HORMONE

SITE OF
MAJOR ROLE
SECRETION
GonadotrophinHypothalamus Stimulate pituitary to secrete FSH
releasing hormone
and LH
(GnRH)
Follicle
stimulating
hormone (FSH)
Luteinising
hormone (LH)

Pituitary
gland

Stimulates development of primary

follicles Stimulate the secretion of

Pituitary
gland

oestrogen
Stimulate ovulation
Stimulate development of corpus
luteum
Stimulate the secretion of

INVOLVEMENT OF FEMALE SEX

HORMONES IN MESTRUAL CYCLE
HORMONE
Oestrogen

Progesterone

SITE OF
MAJOR ROLE
SECRETION
Developing
Promotes repair of endometrium
follicles in
ovary

Low level: Inhibit FSH secretion

High level: Stimulate release of FSH

Corpus
luteum in

and LH
Promote thickening and vascularised
of endometrium

ovary

High level: Inhibit FSH secretion

Low level: Trigger menstruation

THE ROLE OF HORMONES IN

REGULATING MENSTRUAL CYCLE
1. Development of follicle in ovary
2. Thickness of endometrium in uterus

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY
About 1 day before
menstruation, the
ganadotrophinreleasing hormone
(GnRH) is released
by hypothalamus to
stimulate pituitary
gland to release
Follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH)
Luteinising hormone
(LH).

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY
DAYS 1-5
FSH
stimulates
development of several
primary follicles, but only
one matures completely,
becoming
a
Graafian
follicle.
Follicle cells secrete small
amount of oestrogen which
promotes
the
follicle
maturation.
Low oestrogen level exert
negative feedback on
pituitary gland to ensure
low level of FSH and LH.

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY
DAYS 614
As follicles grow
and
mature,
oestrogen
level
also
increase
dramatically until
reaches a peak on
day 12.

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY
DAYS 6-14
High oestrogen level
exert positive feedback
on hypothalamus causes
a sudden increase in
GnRH,
FSH
&
LH
secretion.
A rise of LH level
triggers ovulation on day
14 causing the Graafian
follicle to burst and
release secondary oocyte
into Fallopian tube.

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY

DAYS 15-24
LH stimulate
development of corpus
luteum and stimulate
the secretion of large
amount progesterone
by corpus luteum.
High level of
progesterone secreted
by corpus luteum can
inhibit the secretion
of FSH and LH.

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT IN
OVARY
DAYS 2528

A decline of LH level
will degenerate the
corpus luteum
causing the
progesterone
decrease as well.

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

THICKNESS OF ENDOMETRIUM
WALL

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

THICKNESS OF ENDOMETRIUM WALL

DAYS 1-5
A drop of
progesterone and
oestrogen levels in
a woman body
caused: the breakage of
endometrium wall
rupture of the
blood capillary
inside endometrium

Leading to
menstruation.

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

THICKNESS OF ENDOMETRIUM WALL

DAYS 6-14
Oestrogen secreted
by growing follicle
promotes repair and
development of
endometrium.
Ovulation occurs
Graafian follicle
release secondary
oocyte to the
fallopian tube
before it develop
into corpus luteum

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

THICKNESS OF ENDOMETRIUM WALL

DAYS 15-24
Corpus luteum
secrete progesterone
causing

endometrium wall
highly vascular and
thicker

Endometrium now
ready for embryonic
implantation (if
fertization occur).

THE EFFECT OF HORMONAL LEVEL ON

THICKNESS OF ENDOMETRIUM WALL

DAYS 25-28
If implantation occur:
Corpus luteum will keep
releasing progesterone and
the endometrium continues
to develop to support the
embryo
If no implantation occur:
The level of progesterone
and oestrogen drop,
causing the breakage of
endometrium, leading
menstruation. The cycle
will be repeated again.

PRE-MENSTRUAL
SYNDROME

A group of symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle

experienced by a woman.
Changes in the progesterone and oestrogen levels may affect
women emotionally, mentally and physical.
Emotional changes: Anxious, irritable, moody, easy to cry,
depressed
Mental change: Difficult to concentrate and remember things
Physical changes: Headache, breast swelling and pain, fatigue,
abdominal pain, bloating, appetite changes and muscle pain

MENOPAUSE
A condition in which the menstrual cycle stops and no more matured
egg or ovum are produced.
Usually occur at age 45-55 years. Start happens when menstruation
does not occur for 12 months.
Occur when the ovaries become less receptive to FSH and LH
stimulation resulting the drop of progesterone and oestrogen level.
Lack of oestrogen can cause the loss of calcium in bones leading to
osteoporosis.
Emotional and mentally changes: same as those caused by
premenstrual syndrome.
Physically changes: Night sweat, loss on bone tissue, bladder control
and tendency to put on weight.