endo female reproduction

• What are the learning objectives related to female reproduction?

  Describe ovarian follicles, hormones, ovulation, the "Two-Cell, Two-Gonadotropin" Hypothesis, and PCOS.
• What causes ovulation?

  Ovulation is triggered by a surge in LH levels.
• What is the "Two-Cell, Two-Gonadotropin" Hypothesis?

  It explains how theca and granulosa cells work together to produce estrogen.
• How do ovarian hormones change with age?

  The secretion of ovarian hormones declines with age.
• What is PCOS?

  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition affecting ovarian function.
• What gene is responsible for testis determination?

  The SRY gene is responsible for testis determination.
• What happens to the Wolffian duct in the absence of testosterone?

  The Wolffian duct regresses in the absence of testosterone.
• What develops in the absence of DHT?

  External genitalia develop in the absence of DHT.
• What is the primary endocrine function of the ovaries?

  The ovaries are responsible for egg production and steroid synthesis.
• What triggers the onset of puberty in the HPG axis?

  Puberty begins when GnRH secretion is triggered by KISS.
• What is menarche?

  Menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation.
• How do female ovarian cycles affect behavior variability?

  Female ovarian cycles do not make behavior more variable.
• What were the main findings of Levy et al. 2023 regarding female behavior?

  Behavior consistently differed between individuals, not strongly linked to estrous state.
• Where do both the oocyte and hormone-producing functions occur in the ovary?

  They occur in the outer or cortical portion of the ovary.
• What is the functional unit of the ovary?

  The functional unit of the ovary is the ovarian follicle.
• What are the concentric layers of an ovarian follicle?

  The layers are oocyte, zona pellucida, granulosa cells, basement membrane, and thecal cells.
• What characterizes primordial follicles?

  Primordial follicles consist of an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened granulosa cells.
• What happens to primordial follicles until sexual maturity?

  Primordial follicles do not undergo further growth until sexual maturity.
• How many primordial follicles are present at birth?

  Approximately 1 million primordial follicles remain at birth.
• What is atresia in the context of ovarian follicles?

  Atresia is programmed cell death of follicles that enter the growth phase before puberty.
• What is the role of AMH in follicular growth regulation?

  AMH prevents premature FSH-mediated follicular growth.
• How does AMH change with age?

  AMH declines with age and is a good measure of ovarian follicular reserve.
• What characterizes the early follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?

  The early follicular phase starts with an increase in FSH and LH, stimulating follicle maturation.
• What is the role of inhibin B and estrogen during the early follicular phase?

  Inhibin B and estrogen stimulate the endometrial lining and perform negative feedback on FSH and LH.
• What happens to FSH and LH levels due to negative feedback during the early follicular phase?

  FSH and LH levels decline due to negative feedback from inhibin B and estrogen.
• What is the significance of the dominant follicle?

  The dominant follicle has LH receptors and can survive low FSH concentrations.
• What is the role of antral follicles in the ovarian cycle?

  Antral follicles secrete inhibin B and estrogen, causing a decline in FSH and leading to atresia of neighboring follicles.
• What happens to small antral follicles that do not develop LH receptors?

  Small antral follicles that do not develop LH receptors undergo atresia during FSH decline.
• What is the role of granulosa cells in the follicular stage?

  Granulosa cells have FSH receptors and secrete inhibin B and estrogen.
• What is the role of thecal cells in the follicular stage?

  Thecal cells have LH receptors and produce testosterone.
• What is the "Two-Cell, Two-Gonadotropin" Hypothesis regarding estrogen synthesis?

  It states that theca cells provide cholesterol, while granulosa cells convert it to estrogen using aromatase.
• How does estradiol affect the endometrium?

  Estradiol increases the thickness of the endometrium.
• What happens to estrogen levels as the dominant follicle matures?

  Estrogen levels continue to rise, leading to positive feedback on LH.
• What triggers ovulation?

  The LH surge triggers ovulation of the most mature follicle.
• What is the definition of ovulation?

  Ovulation is the release of an oocyte from the ovary.
• What hormone is dominant during the luteal phase?

  Progesterone is the dominant hormone during the luteal phase.
• How long does the ovarian cycle typically last?

  The ovarian cycle typically lasts about 28 days.
• What are the two main phases of the ovarian cycle?

  The two main phases are the follicular phase and the luteal phase.
• What occurs during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

  The luteal phase is dominated by the corpus luteum and lasts about 14 days.
• What is the role of the corpus luteum during the luteal phase?

  The corpus luteum secretes progesterone to maintain the endometrial lining.