The Reproductive System of female

• Oviducts and Uterus1. Female system not completely closed2. Egg cell released into abdominal cavity near oviduct—

fallopian tube3. Oviduct has a funnel like opening and cilia on the

epithelium lining the duct helping collect the egg by drawing fluid from the body cavity into the duct. Cilia also convey egg down duct to the uterus—womb

4. Uterus—thick muscular organ that can expand during pregnancy to accommodate 4-kg fetus

5. Endometrium—inner lining of uterus; richly supplied with blood vessels.

6. Neck of uterus = cervix. Opens into the vagina

female hormones

LH luteinizing hormone

FSH follicle stimulating hormonepromotes

maturation of follicles

progesterone

promotes developmentof corpus luteum

estrogen rebuild endometrium2º sex. char.

prepare/maintain endometrium

Figure 28.15

Figure 28.15 Oogenesis

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

HORMONAL REGULATION OF OOGENSIS AND OVULATION

FOLLICULAR PHASE LUTEAL PHASEOVULATION

10-20 primordial follicles begin to develop in response to FSH and LH levels

FSH and LH stimulate theca and granulosa production of estrogen and progesterone

surge of LH induces ovulation

theca and granulosa cells transform into the corpus luteum and secrete large amounts of progesterone

if fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates ... if fertilization does occur, HCG released from the embryo maintains corpus luteum

Figure 27.22c, d

Gonadotropins, Hormones, and the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

Figure 27.22a, b

Gonadotropins, Hormones, and the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

Feedback Mechanisms in Ovarian Function

Figure 27.21

1. Estrogen exerts both negative and positive feedback.

2. Gonadal hormones act on both the anterior pituitary and the hypotalamus.

TAKE HOME POINTS:

3. Higher brian centers influence the release of GnRH from the hypothalamic neurons

STRESS

visual

HYPOTHALAMUS

GnRH

Gonadotrophs

LH, FSH

LongLoop

LongLoopLH

FSH

pinealolfactory

Estrogen

Estrogen

(+/-)

Progesterone ovary

LongLoop

Estrogen(+/-)

FSH, LH

Same Different