Question

Female Reproductive System Physiology

1. Create a chart that depicts all the regulatory events during the female reproductive cycle. Include the hormonal events of the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary and the ovary.  In addition, add sections for follicular development and uterine proliferation.  Be sure to label all sections, structures, hormones and phases.

Answer 1

This is the wholesome overview of menstrual cycle in females.

UTERUS: Superficial layer of endometrium is shed and menstruation occurs between day 0 and 5. Endometrium is proliferated due to effect of estrogen. As concentration of estrogen is high during 5-14 days, the endometrium undergoes proliferation. Therefore this phase is called proliferative phase. After ovulation, the levels of estrogen decreases. The corpus luteum is formed from ruptured Graafian follicle which secretes progesterone. Progesterone increases the secretions in the uterine glands and make them tortuous. Therefore this phase is called Secretory phase.

FOLLICLE: Primordial follicle, Primary follicle, Secondary Follicle, Tertiary Follicle, Graafian follicle. Graafian follicle is mature follicle which gets ruptured to release ovum on the 14th fay of the cycle. After rupture, it becomes corpus hemorrhagicum and then becomes corpus luteum. Corpus luteum size is maximum during 22nd day and therefore progesterone levels are also maximum on that day. Then it also degenerates and becomes corpus albicans.

HORMONES: FSH released from pituitary stimulates folliculogenesis. LH increases during 14th day of cycle (LH surge) and causes ovulation. Estrogen and progesterone are both secreted by granulosa cells of follicles and corpus luteum.