Reproductive Physiology 1

Formation of gametes

Gametogenesis comparison 1   Spermatogenesis Oögenesis spermatogonia type A and type B oögonia two mitotic divisions   4 primary spermatocytes primary oöcyte first meiotic division     8 secondary spermatocytes secondary oöcyte first polar body second meiotic division     16 spermatids mature ovum 3 second polar bodies 16 spermatozoa

Sertoli cells

spermiation

Female hormonal system

hypothalamic releasing hormone

gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] ²
[also known as luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH)]

anterior pituitary hormones ³

follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]

luteinizing hormone [LH]

ovarian hormones

steroids

estrogens [mostly b-estradiol]

progesterone

peptides

GnRH

relaxin

inhibin

inhibin A:  ab_A

inhibin B:  ab_B

activin

b_Ab_A

b_Ab_B

b_Bb_B

follistatin

the monthly ovarian cycle

role of gonadotropic hormones FSH and LH

follicle function

control

theca cells produce androgens [LH]

granulosa cells convert androgens into estrogens [FSH]

negative feedback from estrogens

inhibin

development

primordial follicle

primary follicle

vesicular follicles

secondary follicles

Graafian follicles

follicular atresia

ovulation triggered by LH surge

halts estrogen secretion

blocks granulosa cell release of oöcyte maturation inhibiting factor

triggers production of prostaglandins

promotes luteinization

corpus luteum function maintained by LH

production of progesterone and estrogens

inhibin not secreted by luteal cells

the monthly endometrial cycle

structure of the uterine wall

endometrium

stratum basale

stratum spongiosum

stratum compactum

myometrium

epimetrium

stages

proliferative phase

secretory phase

menstruation

Stages of female sexuality

infancy and childhood

puberty

menarche

menopause

climacteric

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Links

• Referenced sites



• ¹ Topics in gametogenesis from the University of Calgary Dynamic Development site



• ² The GnRH family of proteins



• ³ Sequences and structures of the glycoprotein gonadotropins



• Other sites



• Female reproductive system histology from The University of Kansas Medical Center
  More female reproductive system histology, this from the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School



• The female genital pathology index, with some illustrations of normal anatomy



• Myriad links for female genital diseases and pregnancy complications from the Karolinska Institutet



• Ultrasound of the uterus and ovary, from Creighton University School of Medicine



• A review of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator