I
The ________ ligament attaches the ovaries to the pelvic wall while the _______ ligament attaches the ovaries to the uterus
suspensory - ovaries/pelvic wall
ovarian - ovaries/uterus
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often in the fallopian tubes (this is a life threatening condition)
What does 17 alpha-hydroxylase do?
converts progesterone to androstenedione
What causes the LH surge?
positive feedback of estrogen
What is the life span of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract?
3-5 days
Primary oocytes are frozen in which stage of Meiosis I?
Prophase I
Which layer of the endometrium is shed during menstruation?
functional layer
______ acts on only granulosa cells while _______ acts on both thecal and granulosa cells
FSH; LH
The corpus luteum secretes which hormone?
progesterone
What is the window of fertility?
~5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation
Secondary oocytes freeze in _____________, and meiosis II is only completed if _________ occurs
metaphase II, if fertilization occurs
At what point in a woman's life do you see low levels of both FSH and LH?
childhood
In women, the hypothalamus releases ____________, the anterior pituitary releases _____ and _______, and the gonads release ____ and _______
hypothalamus - GnRH
anterior pituitary - FSH, LH
gonads - estrogens, androgens
At around mid cycle day 14, what event occurs?
ovulation
What hormone is produced by cells of the early embryo?
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
What are the 4 structural regions of the oviducts (uterine/fallopian tubes)?
1. fimbriae
2. infundibulum
3. ampulla
4. isthmus
For thecal and granulosa cells, which lack aromatase and which lack 17 alpha-hydroxylase?
thecal cell = lacks aromatase
granulosa cells = lack 17 alpha-hydroxylase
What are the 2 phases of the ovarian cycle and what days in the cycle correspond to each phase?
Day 1-14: follicular phase
Day 14-28: luteal phase
What is the purpose of the secretion of progesterone during the luteal phase?
promotes the capability of the uterus to support a developing embryo (supports pregnancy)
What is the purpose of hCG?
hCG "rescues" the corpus luteum, preventing its breakdown and maintaining high progesterone levels
Within the oviducts, what is the usual site of fertilization?
ampulla
What does aromatase do?
Converts androgens to estrogens
What is the trigger for menses to begin?
Dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone levels
The secretory phase of the uterine cycle corresponds to which phase of the ovarian cycle?
luteal phase
Which form of oral contraceptives requires strict adherence to the dosing schedule?
progestin-only "mini pill"