Folliculogenesis
Name the four parts of an antral follicle (and if it responds to a hormone, what does it respond to)
1. Theca Cells: Responds to LH, converts Cholesterol to T
2. Granulosa Cells: Responds to FSH, converts T to E2
3. Follicular Fluid
4. Oocyte
The name for a primordial cell which develops into an oocyte
Oogonium
Name one way the LH surge affects an oocyte
Resumes meiosis (lifts arrest)
Triggers its release from the follicle with cumulus mass
Triggers final synthesis of proteins/mRNA
What is sialomucin?
Mucus that aids sperm in traveling up toward the cervix due to its low viscosity
This hormone affects preantral AND antral follicles, increases LH receptors, and is important for granulosa cell mitosis and steroidogenesis
FSH
When an oocyte is said to be denuded, what does it mean and what grade would it be?
Little to no cumulus cells surround the oocyte. Grade C
How does increased PGF2a from the LH surge lead to ovulation?
PGF2a stimulates contractions of ovarian smooth muscle, which increases follicular pressure, and releases lysosomal enzymes which digests the follicular wall. This weakens the follicular wall and eventually caves in for ovulation.
Where does phagocytosis begin during sperm transport? What does it mean?
Phagocytosis can be seen immediately after deposition (immediate transport). Neutrophils and other immune cells start engulfing sperm, because it recognizes it as foreign DNA.
This stage of gonadotropin dependence describes follicles that need FSH and LH to continue developing towards recruitment, selection, dominance, and ovulation
Gonadotropin dependent
In fetal life, what stages are the follicles AND the oocytes? Include what stage the oocyte is arrested at, if applicable.
Primordial follicles with primary oocytes arrested at Prophase I (Meiosis I)
During Luteinization, large luteal cells were derived from ___ and small luteal cells were derived from ___.
Granulosa cells ; theca cells
The lifespan of a rams' sperm is?
30-48 hours
This kind of follicular recruitment does not depend on gonadotropins, occurs throughout the estrous cycle, and recruits primordial follicles to join the growing pool
Initial recruitment
Do oocytes undergo atresia before birth?
Yes! After all the mitotic divisions are completed during fetal life, oocytes begin degenerating and undergoing atresia.
Name one action of progesterone produced by the CL
1. Stimulates mammary growth
2. Stimulates endometrial secretions to nurture the embryo
3. Reduces myometrial tone (no contractions)
4. Prevents estrus
5. Reduces GnRH production
6. Stops the preovulatory LH surge
What is capacitation and why is it important?
Capacitation is a biochemical change where glycoaminoglycan sugars are altered and the coating is stripped away. This allows for the acrosome to be exposed in order to penetrate the oocyte's zona pellucida.
In this stage of follicular waves, a recruited follicle will continue to grow, starts being less sensitive to FSH, and starts being more sensitive to LH. Ovulatory follicles start to emerge.
Selection
Name an example of a signaling molecule for paracrine and gap-junctional communication
Paracrine: GDF-9, BMP-15, Kit-Ligand, FF-MAS
Gap Junctional: cAMP, amino acids, metabolites, purines/pyrimidines
Describe Doppler ultrasonography as it relates to reproduction. Is it a good method to utilize to determine if an animal is pregnant?
Uses the Doppler effect; uses waves to capture images of blood flowing through the body. The idea is that if the CL has higher blood flow, then there is more progesterone circulation and could indicate a successful pregnancy.
Not a good method (high false positives)
What is the name of the cation channel of sperm that regulates hyperactivation and fertilization?
CatSper