Reproductive Basics
What are the 2 phases of the menstrual cycle?
Follicular and luteal phases
This autoimmune disease requires a gluten free diet to restore fertility.
celiac disease
What organ exchanges oxygen, nutrients, and waste between mother and fetus?
placenta
Why should pregnant women take in folate?
Prevent neural tube defects
What is the hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that can progress to seizures?
Preeclampsia-eclampsia
In males, what hormone stimulates sperm maturation?
Testosterone (an androgen)
This condition is the leading cause of female infertility, often linked to insulin resistance.
PCOS
The average pregnancy length is ___ weeks from conception, and ___ weeks from menstruation
38, 40
What is the most common nutrient deficiency during pregnancy?
iron
True or False: Pregnant women should control blood pressure by going on a low sodium diet.
(Need to explain WHY true or false)
False, important to maintain water volume during pregnancy. Not advised to eat low sodium.
Childhood conditions like nutrition and sanitation can shape levels of which reproductive hormone later in life?
Progesterone
Weight loss exceeding ____% of body weight can stop menstruation. What is the term for the absence of a menstrual cycle?
10-15%, amenorrhea
The first half of the pregnancy is a(n) ______ phase, the second half is a(n)________ phase.
anabolic, catabolic
How many grams of protein are accumulated during an average single pregnancy?
925 g
Multifetal pregnancies (twins +) requires how many pounds of weight gain? (provide the range)
37-54 lbs
The luteal phase begins after what event?
Ovulation
Define fecundity vs fertility.
Fertility - the actual ability to conceive and produce offspring, measured by outcomes
Fecundity - the biological capacity to reproduce (the potential), regardless of whether conception or birth occurs
Name 3 contributors for women's increased weight during pregnancy:
increased fat stores, blood volume, fetal weight, maternal organ growth (placenta), breast growth, uterine growth, amniotic fluid
Why are vegetarians and vegans at higher risk for certain nutrient deficiencies in pregnancy, and name 4 most concerning nutrients?
Plant-based diets may lack B12, vitamin D, iron, calcium, zinc, + omega 3 fatty acids
Based on the UK vs. Bangladeshi migrant study, what result showed that childhood environments act as a “critical window” for fertility potential?
What age range is the most critical window?
Women who grew up in the UK (vs. Bangladesh) had higher progesterone and fertility potential, suggesting that childhood environment sets long-term reproductive hormone levels through developmental programming.
Why doesn’t the fertility drug Clomid restore ovulation in underweight women until weight is regained? (be specific, connect which hormones are reduced with low weight)
Because low body fat reduces estrogen, LH, and FSH, which Clomid cannot override until energy balance is corrected.
Explain the “diabetogenic effect of pregnancy” and why it is beneficial for the fetus, despite potentially causing gestational diabetes in women.
Maternal insulin resistance in late pregnancy ensures higher maternal blood glucose, making glucose more available for fetal growth.
Explain why maternal energy restriction during early pregnancy (like famine or dieting) has lifelong impacts on offspring health in the context of "developmental programming"
It leads to permanent adaptations that increase risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity later in life
Why does maternal PKU require strict diet control before and during pregnancy, and what are the consequences of poor control?
High maternal blood phenylalanine crosses the placenta, causing intellectual disability, microcephaly, and heart defects in the child.