FEMALE PHYSIOLOGY BEFORE PREGNANCY AND THE FEMALE

HORMONES Degenerationt of stigma Follicle swelling

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Follicle rupture

Table 17-6: FUNCTIONS OF GRANULOSA CELLS Evagination of ovum

1. Nourish oocyte
2. Secrete chemical messengers that influence the oocyte
and the theca cells
3. Secrete antral fluid
4. Are the site of action for estrogen and FSH in the control
of follicle development during early and middle follicular
phases.
5. Express aromatase, which converts androgen (from
theca cells) to estrogen
6. Secrete inhibin, which inhibits FSH secretion _____ on the
pituitary
7. Are the site of action of LH induction of changes in the
oocyte and follicle culminating in ovulation and
formation of the corpus luteum.
11. The corpus luteum forms and begin to secrete large
amounts of both estrogen and progesterone
12. Plasma estrogen and progesterone increases
13. FSH and LH secretion are inhibited and plasma
concentration decreases.
14. The corpus luteum begins to degenerate and decrease
its hormone secretion
15. Plasma estrogen and progesterone concentrations
decrease.
16. FSH and LH secretion begins to increases and a new
cycle begins.

Ovarian Events in a Menstrual Cycle
Estrogen, Progesterone and inhibin
SYSTEMATIC PLASMA HORMONE CONCENTRATION AND OVARIAN
EVENTS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
1. FSH and LH increase
2. Multiple antral follicles begin to enlarge and secrete
estrogen
3. Plasma estrogen concentration begins to rise.
4. One follicle becomes dominant and secretes large
amount of estrogen
5. Plasma estrogen level increases markedly
6. FSH secretion and plasma FSH concentration decrease
causing atresia of a nondominant follicles.
7. Increasing plasma estrogen exerts a positive feedback
on gonadotropin secretion
8. LH surges is triggered.
9. The egg completes its first meiotic division and
cytoplasmic maturation while the follicle secretes less
estrogen accompanied by some progesterone.
10. Ovulation occurs.
Effect of the LH Surge on Ovarian Function
Table 17-4 Summary of Major Feedback Effects of
1. Estrogen, in low plasma concentration, causes the
anterior pituitary to secrete less FSH and LH in response
to GnRH and also may inhibit the hypothalamic neurons
that secrete GnRH
Result: Negative feedback inhibition of FSH and LH
secretion during the early and middle follicular phase.
2. Inhibin acts on the pituitary to inhibit the secretion of
FSH
Result: Negative feedback inhibition of FSH secretion
throughout the cycle.
3. Estrogen, when increasing dramatically, causes anterior
pituitary cells to secrete more LH (and FSH) in response
to GnRH and also stimulate the hypothalamic neurons
that secrete GnRH.
Result: Positive feedback stimulation of the LH surge
which triggers ovulation.

1. The primary oocyte completes its first meiotic division 4. High plasma concentration of progesterone in the
and undergoes cytoplasmic changes that prepare the presence of estrogen, inhibit the hypothalamic neurons
ovum for implantation should fertilization occur. These that secrete GnRH.
LH effects on the oocyte are mediated by messengers
released from the granulose cells in response to LH. Result: Negative feedback inhibition of FSH and LH
2. Antrum size (fluid volume) and blood flow to the follicle secretion and prevention of LH surges during the luteal
increase markedly. phase and pregnancy.
3. The granulose cells begin releasing progesterone and
decrease the release of estrogen, which accounts for CONTROL OF ESTROGEN SYNTHESIS DURING THE EARLY AND
the midcycle decrease in plasma estrogen concentration MIDDLE FOLLICULAR PHASES
and the small rise in plasma progesterone just before
ovulation. LH FSH
4. Enzymes and prostaglandins, synthesized by the
granulose cells, break down the follicular-ovarian Ovarian follicle
membranes. These weakened membrane rupture,
allowing the oocyte and its surrounding granulose cells Theca cells Granulosa cells
to be carried out onto the surface of the ovary.
5. The remaining granulose cells of the ruptured follicle Synthesize
(along with the theca cells of that follicle) are Androgens Diffusion Convert androgens to
transformed into the corpus luteum, which begins to estrogen
release progesterone and estrogen.
Hormonal Control of Ovarian Function During the Early and
POSTULATED MECHANISM OF OVULATION\ Middle Follicular Phases

Luteinizing hormone
Hypothalamus secretes GnRH

Follicular steroid hormone (progesterone)

GnRH (In hypothalamo-pituitary portal vessels)

Proteolytic enzyme Follicular hyperemia and

Anterior pituitary secretes FSH and LH
(Collagenase) prostaglandin secretion

FSH LH
Weakened follicle wall Plasma
transudation into follicle
Ovaries
 urine product.
Granulosa Cells Theca Cells Synthesis In ovaries from cholesterol In ovaries from
cholesterol
Androgens Transport In blood bound mainly with In blood bound
plasma albumin specific mainly with
Influence oocytes binding globulins plasma albumin
Inhibin Estrogen specific binding
globulins

Reproductive tract and other organs respond to ESTROGEN EFFECTS

estrogen On uterus, ovaries, and external genitalia
-Increase size of ovaries, uterus, and vagina
-External genitalia enlarge with fat deposition in the
Hormonal Ovarian Control in the Late Follicular Phase mons pubis and labia majora, and enlargement of labia
minora
Hypothalamus -Change the vaginal epithelium from cuboidal into
Secretes GnRH stratified
-Marked proliferation of the endometrial stroma and
Increased GnRH increased development of endometrial glands.
(In hypothalamic-pituitary portal vessels)

Anterior pituitary secretes LH On Fallopian tubes

-Increase in size
LH surge -Glandular tissues of mucosal lining proliferate
-Increase the number of ciliated epithelial cells
Ovary Corpus Luteum lining the tubes
(Begin) -Enhance beating of the cilia towards the uterus.

Large amounts of estrogen Progesterone and estrogen On the breasts

-Development of stromal tissues
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN OVARIAN AND UTERINE CHANGES -Growth of an extensive ductile system
DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE -Fat deposition
-Responsible for the characteristic growth and
SUMMARY OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE external appearance of the mature female breast
DAYS MAJOR EVENTS (Initiate growth of the breasts and the milk
Estrogen and progesterone are low because the producing apparatus)
1-5 previous corpus luteum is regressing; therefore, (a)
endometrial lining sloughs On the skeleton
(b) secretion of FSH and LH -Stimulate bone growth by inhibition of osteoclastic
is released from inhibition, and their plasma activity in the bones
concentrations increase. After menopause:
-increased osteclrastic activity in
Therefore, several growing follicle are stimulated to bones
mature. -decreased bone matrix
7 A single follicle (usually) becomes dominant. -decreased deposition of bone
calcium and phosphate
7-12 Plasma estrogen increases because of secretion by the
-Cause uniting of the epiphyses with the shaft of
dominant follicle. Therefore, Endometrium is
the long bones
stimulated to proliferate
Female growth usually ceases several
7-12 LH and FSH decreases due to estrogen and inhibin
years earlier than growth of the
negative feedback. Therefore, degeneration (atresia)
male
of nondominant follicles occur.
12-13 LH surge is induced by increasing plasma estrogen.
On protein deposition
Therefore, (a) Oocyte is induced to complete its first
-slight increase in total body protein.
meiotic division and undergo cytoplasmic maturation.
On the body metabolism and fat deposition
(b) Follicle is stimulated to secrete digestive enzymes
and prostaglandin -Slightly increase metabolic rate
-Deposition of fat in breasts, buttocks,
14 Ovulation is mediated by follicular enzymes and
thighs and subcutaneous tissue
prostaglandins.
On hair distribution
15-25 Corpus luteum forms and, under the influenced of low
-In pubic area and axillae
but adequate levels of LH, secretes estrogen and
progesterone, and so plasma concentrations of these
On the skin
hormones increase.
Therefore, (a) Secretory endometrium develop -Soft and smooth texture
(b) Secretion of FSH and LH are inhibited, lowering -More vascular
their plasma concentrations. Therefore, no new follicle On electrolyte balance
developed -Slight sodium and water retention by
25-28 Corpus luteum degenerates (if egg is not fertilized). Kidney Tubules
Therefore, plasma estrogen and progesterone
concentrations decrease. PROGESTERONE EFFECTS
On the uterus
Therefore, endometrium begins to slough at conclusion -Promote secretory changes in the
of day 28, and a new cycle begins. uterine endometrium in latter half of
the cycle, preparing the uterus for
implantation
-Decreases frequency and intensity
Estrogen Progestins of uterine contractions
Most Estradiol Progesterone On the fallopian tubes
Important -Increased secretions of mucosal
Fate Conjugated by liver to form Degrade by liver. lining necessary for nutrition of
glucuronides and sulfates. Pregnanediol, fertilized ovum.
Excreted in the bile and majir end On the breasts
 -development of lobules and alveoli
FEMALE SEXUAL ACT: LUBRICATION
Female climax
-Causes breasts to swell due to
secretory development in lobules and Analogous to male emission and ejaculation
alveoli, and increased fluid in the Helps promote fertilization of the ovum
tissue. -Human female is more fertile when inseminated by
normal sexual intercourse than artificial methods.
PUBERTY
The onset of adult sexual life FEMALE SEXUAL ACT: ORGASM
Caused by gradual increase in gonadotropic hormone Perineal muscles rhythmically contract resulting from spinal
secretion by the pituitary, beginning at 8 y.o. cord reflexes
Average onset- 13 y.o. (11-16) Increased uterine and fallopian tube motility help transport
Menarche-first menstruation sperm upward through the uterus toward ovum.
Hypothalamus does not secrete significant amounts of GnRH Dilatation of cervical canal up to 30 minutes
in childhood OXytocin release---- increased rhythmic uterine
Onset may be initiated by maturation process in the limbic contractions---- increased sperm transport
system. Resolution-succeeding minutes of sense satisfaction (relaxed
peacefulness)
Menopause
Period during which the cycle ceases and the
female sex hormones diminish to almost none
burning out of the ovaries
About 400-500 of the primordial follicles grow
into mature follicles and ovulate
At about 45 years old, few primordial follicles
remain to be stimulated by FSH and LH
Ovarian production of estrogen decreases as
the number of primordial follicles approaches
zero
When estrogen production falls below critical
value, the estrogens can no longer inhibit the
production of gonadotrophin

MENOPAUSE: LOSS OF ESTROGEN

HOT FLUSHES, extreme skin flushing
Psychic sensation of dyspnea
Irritability
Fatigue
Anxiety
Occasionally various psychotic states
Decreased bone strength and calcification

FEMALE SEXUAL ACT

Stimulation: psychic and local
Sexual desire increases in proportion to sex hormone
level
Peak near ovulation (estrogen)
Sexual signals: transmitted to sacral segments through
pudendal nerve and sacral plexus transmitted to
cerebrum

FEMALE SEXUAL ACT: ERECTION

Erectile tissue-around introitus and extending to clitoris
Parasympathetic dilate the arteries of erectile tissue----
release of acetylcholine, nitric oxide, VIP at nerve endings----
rapid blood accumulation in erectile tissue---- introitus
tightens around the penis

FEMALE SEXUAL ACT: LUBRICATION

Parasympathetics----Bartholins glands----secrete mucus
inside introitus
Other sources: vaginal epithelium, male urethral glands