Question

Describe how a functional sperm is different from a spermatogonium stem cell.

What phase of the ovarian cycle occurs after ovulation and is associated with the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?

The central fluid-filled cavity in a tertiary follicle is known as what?

what contains enzymes necessary for the sperm cell to penetrate the oocyte.?

Describe the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal hormonal axis and how negative feedback is used to regulate the release of hormones in males versus females.?

Answer 1

A spermatogonial stem cell (SSC), also known as a type A spermatogonium, is a spermatogonium that does not differentiate into a spermatocyte, a precursor of sperm cells. Instead, they continue dividing into other spermatogonia or remain dormant to maintain a reserve of spermatogonia.

Following ovulation, the ovarian cycle enters its luteal phase, illustrated in Figure and the menstrual cycle enters its secretory phase, both of which run from about day 15 to 28. The luteal and secretory phases refer to changes in the ruptured follicle.

Antrum:

A fluid -filled space or cavity, the antrum, develops in the follicle which is now called tertiary follicle. Oestrogen stimulates the growth of this follicle, which eventually becomes a mature follicle, the Graafian follicle. Hence, Antrum is a cavity of Graafian follicle.

The sperm first burrow through the cells of the corona radiata. ... This initiates a process called the acrosomal reaction in which the enzyme-filled “cap” of the sperm, called the acrosome, releases its stored digestive enzymes. These enzymes clear a path through the zona pellucida that allows sperm to reach the oocyte.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis coordinates a tightly regulated feedback loop that consists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produced by the hypothalamus; follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary; and the sex steroids estrogen, progesterone, and androgens, produced primarily by the ovary, corpus luteum, and adrenals.Cycle and episodic alterations in the HPG axis across the menstrual cycle and during important reproductive health events, such as pregnancy and menopause, are hypothesized to alter the sensitivity of neurotransmitter systems and the function of neural circuits in ways that increase vulnerability to psychiatric symptoms for some women.

Negative feedback: Luteinising hormone, like follicle stimulating hormone, is a gonadotrophic hormone produced and released by cells in the anterior pituitary gland. It is crucial in regulating the function of the testes in men and ovaries in women.