Female Reproduction

• What structures are included in the female reproductive system?

  • Ovaries
  • Duct system
  • Uterine (Fallopian) tubes
  • Uterus
  • Mammary gland

  
• What hormones do the ovaries produce?

  Estrogen and progesterone
• What is the role of ovarian follicles?

  They house the oocyte and support its development
• What are the layers of the ovary?

  • Germinal epithelium
  • Tunica albuginea
  • Cortex
  • Medulla
• What type of epithelium forms the germinal epithelium of the ovary?

  Simple cuboidal epithelium
• What is the tunica albuginea?

  A collagenous dense connective tissue capsule
• What is found in the cortex of the ovary?

  Connective tissue stroma and numerous ovarian follicles

  • Each follicle contains an oocyte, surrounded by a layer of follicular cells.
  • Follicles are at different developmental stages
• What is the function of the medulla in the ovary?

  It contains loose connective tissue and a rich neurovascular network, which enters via the hilum of the ovary
• What are the purposes of follicular development?

  • Provide a conducive environment for the developing oocyte
  • Release of the oocyte
  • Nutrition
  • Steroidogenesis for growth
• Which hormones influence follicular development?

  • Hypothalamus hormones
  • Anterior pituitary hormones
  • Posterior pituitary hormones
  • Ovarian hormones
• Primordial follicles: When do primordial follicles first appear during fetal development?

  During the 3rd month of fetal development
• Primordial follicles: What happens to oocytes at birth?

  They are arrested in development at the first meiotic division
• Primordial follicles: What changes occur in follicles during puberty?

  Follicles undergo cyclic changes and maturation
• What are the stages of follicular development?

  1. Primordial follicles
  2. Primary unilaminar follicles
  3. Primary multilaminar follicles
  4. Secondary antral follicles
  5. Mature Graafian follicles
• What characterizes a primordial follicle?

  It contains a primary oocyte and a single layer of squamous follicle cells

  • Primary oocyte –Ooplasm with eccentric nucleus, dispersed chromatin and 1-2 nucleoli
  • Follicular cells -single layer of squamous follicle cells + Basal lamina (outer surface)
• Describe the structure of a primary (unilaminar) follicle.

  • Centrally placed primary oocyte
  • Surrounded by zona pellucida (ZP) (glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins)
  • Follicular cells are granulosa cells (GC) –single layer of cuboidal cells
  • Stromal cells form theca folliculi
• Describe the structure of a primary multilaminar follicle.

  • Primary oocyte enlarging
  • Granulosa layer: stratified layer of follicle cells
  • Theca interna-LH influence (LH receptors) -androgen > oestrogen + fibroblasts, collagen fibers and rich blood supply
  • Theca externa: smooth muscle and collagen fibers
  • Boundaries between thecas and maturation of the oocyte
• What happens in the secondary antral follicle?

  • Stratum granulosum or granulosa cells (GC) 6-12 layers
  • Increase in fluid accumulation in the antrum (liquor folliculi) to form cavities Antrum eventually forms a single crescent shape towards the end
  • Primary oocyte eccentrically displaced and there is no further growth.
• How are androgens converted to estrogens in the follicle?

  Granulosa cells convert androgens in response to FSH
• What is the cumulus oophorus?

  A structure formed by granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte
• What occurs during ovulation?


  The secondary oocyte is released from the mature Graafian follicle
• What happens to the Graafian follicle after ovulation?


  • It reorganizes into the corpus luteum
  • It forms a temporary structure with a central clot
  • It secretes estrogen and progesterone
• What is the corpus luteum?

  A transient endocrine organ that secretes hormones in preparation for implantation
• What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilization does not occur?

  It degenerates and forms the corpus albicans
• What is the role of the corpus luteum of pregnancy?

  It remains active for 6 weeks until the placenta takes over
• What is the process of gametogenesis in females?

  • Oogenesis produces oocytes
  • Oocytes develop into ova at puberty
  • Oogonia are present during fetal life
• What hormones are produced by ovarian follicles?

  Estrogen for growth and maturation of sex organs
• What is the role of progesterone produced by the corpus luteum?

  It prepares the endometrium for implantation
• What forms in the absence of fertilization?

  Corpus albicans
• What causes the degeneration of the corpus luteum?

  Decreased progesterone (P) and estrogen (E)
• What happens to the cells of the corpus luteum after ovulation?

  They decrease in size, degenerate, and undergo autolysis
• What happens to the remnants of the corpus luteum?

  They are phagocytosed by macrophages
• What is the intercellular material that forms after the degeneration of the corpus luteum?

  Hyaline material (white scar)
• What is the significance of the scar tissue on the ovarian surface?

  It is a remnant of the corpus luteum post ovulation
• What is the process of gamete production called?

  Gametogenesis
• What is the term for the production of female gametes?

  Oogenesis
• What are the developing gametes in females called?

  Oocytes
• What are mature female gametes referred to as?

  Ova
• What are the stages of female gamete development from fetal life to puberty?

  Oogonia (fetal life) → oocytes (at birth) → ova (puberty)
• What hormones are produced during steroidogenesis in females?

  Estrogen and progesterone