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Female Reproductive System

female reproductive system - ovaries develop more slowly than testes 

  • clitoris/labia majora made from same embryonic structures as penis/scrotum in males
  • granulosa cells secrete estrogen to start menstrual cycle and development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty
  • progesterone - hormone that maintains the accessory sex organs (fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina)

female accessory organs - 

  • fallopian tubes (uterine tubes, oviducts) - transport ova from ovaries to uterus
  • cervix - neck of the uterus, leads to vagina
  • endometrium - lining of uterus, shed during menstruation

menstrual/estrous cycles - females born w/ 1 million follicles (each w/ ovum) 

  • primary oocytes - ova halts in prophase I
  • menstrual cycle - lasts about a month, follicular/luteal phase separated by ovulation
  • follicular phase - follicles stimulated to grow
    • 1 matures to become Graafian follicle
    • primary oocyte creates secondary oocyte and polar body
    • secondary oocyte halts in metaphase II, won’t continue until fertilization
  • proliferative phase - from end of menstruation to beginning of ovulation
  • ovulation - follicle releases the oocyte
    • oocyte disintegrates within a day if not fertilized
    • usually fertilized in upper 1/3 of fallopian tube
    • takes 5-6 days for zygote to reach uterus and implant itself
  • secretory phase - from ovulation to beginning of menstruation
  • luteal phase - develops the Graafian follicle into corpus luteum
    • produces estrogen/progesterone to stop development of follicles
    • secretory phase - endometrium becomes enriched w/ glycogen deposits
    • menstrual phase - disappearance of corpus luteum >> abrupt decline in estrogen/progesterone >> endometrieum sheds, along w/ bleeding
    • fertilized embryo would otherwise secretes hCG to maintain the luteum
  • decrease in progesterone/estrogen >> PMS (not possible during pregnancy)
  • human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (hCG) - released once ovum implants into uterus
    • used for pregnancy detection
    • stimulates development of placenta
Subject: 
Biology
Subject X2: 
Biology

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