FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS AND CYCLE
Cards (9)
- Oogenesis - the process of producing ova in a female
- Oogonia - female stem cells found in a developing fetus; undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes
- Estrogens - produced by follicle cells and cause secondary sex characteristics
- Progesterone - produced by the corpus luteum; helps maintain pregnancy and prepares breasts for milk production
- Cyclic changes of the endometrium has about 28 days in length, while ovulation typically occurs midway through the cycle
- Stages of the menstrual cycle:
- Menstrual phase
- Proliferative stage
- Secretory stage
- Menstrual phase - day 1-5; shedding of the endometrium; bleeding occurs for 3 to 5 days averaging from 50 to 150 ml
- Proliferative stage - day 6-14; stimulated by a rising level of estrogens; endometrium is regenerated; ovulation occurs at the end of this stage
- Secretory phase - day 15-28; levels of progesterone rise to maintain uterine lining and prepares for the implantation of egg