Reproduction and Development
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Female: Mons pubis
secretion of pheromones (sexual attraction)
Female: Labia majora
role of protection and lubricating secretion
Female: Labia minora
rich in blood vessel, sensitive to stimulation
Female: Clitoris
very sensitive to sexual stimulation and can erect
Bartholin’s glands
secretion of thick fluid for lubrication during intercourse
Where does fertilisation take place?
Fallopian tubes
Where does the zygote move into?
Uterus
What are the two cell types found in the uterus?
• Germ cells (oocyte) - Somatic cells
Ovarian functions
• Gametogenesis: oogenesis and folliculogenesis - Steroidogenesis (production of hormones: oestrogens and progesterone)
Oogenesis
• Differentiation of the ovum into a cell competent to further develop when fertilised • Occurs in the ovary • Primary oocytes (primordial follicles): 1-2 million at birth, 300,000-400,000 at puberty, 10% released during the reproductive life (until menopause), apoptotic cell death
Process of oogenesis
• Oogonia divide by meiosis during embryonic development and stop • Oocytes remain arrested until ovulation • Meiosis is not completed until fertilisation • Lifetime supply of developing eggs at birth
Which hormone stimulates follicular growth?
GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the hormone responsible for starting follicle (egg) development and causing the level of estrogen, the primary female hormone, to rise
Which hormone causes ovulation?
Estrogen
Which cells of the follicle make oestrogen and progesterone?
Granulosa cells are the cellular source of estradiol and progesterone, the two most important ovarian steroids
What is the name of the follicle that is most mature?
The graafian, or mature, follicle may be up to 2.5 cm in diameter at the time of ovulation, and it protrudes from the surface of the ovary. An outer layer of theca cells and granulosa cells surround a vesicle containing fluid and the oocyte
What does the follicle become after ovulation?
The cells in the ovarian follicle that are left behind after ovulation undergo a transformation and become the so called corpus luteum and secrete progesterone
Folliculogenesis
Folliculogenesis is the developmental process of ovarian follicles starting from a reserve of quiescent primordial follicles set up in early life and ending with either ovulation or follicular death by atresia.
How long is the ovarian cycle?
27-29 days
What is ovulation
Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary. After it’s released, the egg moves down the fallopian tube and stays there for 12 to 24 hours, where it can be fertilized
Follicular phase of the ovarian cycle
1-14th day, the follicular phase is the stage of your menstrual cycle when your body is preparing to release an egg. This is a necessary process for pregnancy. Once the egg is released, the follicular phase is considered over
Luteal phase of the ovarian cycle
14-28th day, the luteal phase is the second half of your menstrual cycle. It starts after ovulation and ends with the first day of your period
Can pregnancy occur with low levels of LH?
If your LH levels are low, you may not be getting your period. Because LH triggers ovulation, low levels of LH can prevent ovulation, and thus pregnancy
High levels of LH
When the body’s levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) rise, it triggers the start of ovulation, and the most fertile period of the menstrual cycle occurs
What happens if FSH is low?
In women, a lack of follicle stimulating hormone leads to incomplete development at puberty and poor ovarian function (ovarian failure). In this situation ovarian follicles do not grow properly and do not release an egg, thus leading to infertility