Question

1. Explain the effect that pregnancy would have on a woman's ability to exercise. Particularly consider effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive system.

2.A patient produces antibodies that target the exocrine cells in the pancreas. Describe what would happen. Specify the pathway through which this would disrupt homeostasis (include how the immune system is causing problems and how it is affecting the digestive system), and describe symptoms that could result.

A 46-XX female fetus has a mutation that causes her to produce excess 5-alpha reductase. What would you expect to be different at birth and why? How will this change at puberty and why?

Answer 1

1. Effect that pregnancy would have on a woman's ability to exercise :

A) On Cardiovascular system - Physiological changes olin cardiovascular system in pregnancy includes Increased blood volume, incresed HR and marked decreses in peripheral vascular resistance. The cardiac output in pregnancy increses upto 40-50% in third trimester.

Due to increased resting cardiac output, during exercise maximal cardiac output achived is less compared to the amount of work. Hence, preganant lady expirence incresed shortness of breath and fatigue during exercise.

B) On Respiratory system : Preganancy is a state of hypermetabolism leading to increased oxygen requirment. This Increased in oxygen demands is fulfilled by Hyperventilation which leads to increased Tidal volume. Also as the diaphram is pushed up the Total lung capacity, Expiratory reserve volume, Functional residual capacity and the Residual volume in the decreses.

As the Functional residual capacity is decresed in pregnancy. During exercise there is less increse in tidal volume on exercise compared to the work. Hence it lead to shortness of breath.

C) On digestive system - During Preganancy there is Increased progesterone can affect the digestive system by smooth muscle relaxation leading to slowing of digestion in stomach & intestine. Exercise during Preganancy can help in Releaving this problem of indigestion in Preganancy.

2. Patient produces antibodies that target the exocrine cells in the pancreas will develop Autoimmune Pancreatitis. Antibodies will attack the exocrine gland and prevent its secretary function of synthesis of trypsin and chymotrypsin to digest proteins; amylase for the digestion of carbohydrates; and lipase to break down fats. This leads to symptoms like  include jaundice, weight loss, and mild abdominal pain.

A female fetus with Increased 5 alpha reductase witll have incresed testosterone and hence hirsutism, androgenic alopecia and may also lead to virilisation in female child.