Term
|
Definition
|
physical and biochem changes associated with the activation of the HPGonadal axis--leading to adult reproductive function
|
|
|
Term
| what are major hormonal players? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the shape of GnRH? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the fuciton of GnRH? |
|
Definition
|
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Stimulates the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins (FSH and LH) from gonadotrophs in anterior pituitary
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Neural cells originate in the olfactory placode, migrate during embryogenesis to the medial basal hypothalamus where their terminals end in the median eminence
|
|
|
Term
| Describe the male/female release of GnRH |
|
Definition
|
GnRH neurons release the GnRH in pulses:
Female:
vary during the menstrual cycle
follicular phase: 60-90 mins
luteal phase: 100-216 mins
vary in different physiologic and pathologic states
Male:
90 – 120 mins
Vary in magnitude
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
GnRH acts on receptors on the gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary
half life 2-4 mins, rapidly degraded by proteases after secretion
|
|
|
Term
| what happens with continious stimulation of GnRH? |
|
Definition
|
continuous occupancy of the GnRH receptor results in desensitization to further GnRH action (ie down regulated the pituitary)
|
|
|
Term
| How do other neurotransmitters affect GnRH? |
|
Definition
|
Regulatory neurotransmitters and neuropeptides
endogenous opioids suppress GnRH release (get thin on dope)
leptin increases GnRH output
neuropeptide Y suppresses GnRH release
|
|
|
Term
| What do FSH, LH, TSH, hCG have in common? |
|
Definition
|
Glycoprotein, 2 subunits
? common subunit (FSH, LH, TSH, hCG)
? subunit unique
LH and hCG ?-subunit differ by 30 AA
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Does LH have a long or short half life? |
|
Definition
|
LH ?Short half life: reflects GnRH pulse activity
|
|
|
Term
| What horomone reflects what GnRH is doing? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Where are FSH receptors in females? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| what does FSH do in females? |
|
Definition
|
Stimulates follicular development
granulosa cells to synthesize and secrete estrogen
stimulates granulosa cell replication and follicle growth
|
|
|
Term
| Where are LH receptors in Females? |
|
Definition
|
LH receptors on theca cells, peri-ovulatory granulosa cells, and luteinized granulosa cells
|
|
|
Term
| What does LH do in females? |
|
Definition
|
Stimulates ovulation
Resumption of oocyte meiosis
Luteinization of theca and granulosa cells
Maintains function of corpus luteum
|
|
|
Term
| Where does FSH bind in males? |
|
Definition
|
Binds to seminiferous tubules in sertoli cells
|
|
|
Term
| What does FSH do in males? |
|
Definition
|
Role in spermatogenesis – optimal qualitative spermatogenesis in humans
|
|
|
Term
| Where does LH bind in males, and what does it do? |
|
Definition
|
Binds to Leydig cells
Testosterone synthesis
|
|
|
Term
| What type of steroid producing cells are found in ovaries? |
|
Definition
|
Granulosa cells, and theca cells
|
|
|
Term
| What do granulosa cells do? |
|
Definition
|
Granulosa cells
respond to FSH
production of estrogen
production of inhibin
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Theca cells
respond to LH
produce androgens (androstenedione and testosterone)
androgens are aromatized to form estrogens
|
|
|
Term
| What are steroid producing cells in the testes? |
|
Definition
|
Leydig Cells and sertoli cells
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Leydig Cells
Respond to LH
Produce testosterone
|
|
|
Term
| What do sertoli cells do? |
|
Definition
|
Sertoli Cells
Support germ cell development
Produce tight junction for blood testes barrier
Produce inhibin
|
|
|
Term
| What are the steps towards creating estradiol from cholesterol? |
|
Definition
|
chole--pregenolone-- progesterone---test which can go to DHT (via 5 alpha reductase) or to estradiol with aromatase
|
|
|
Term
| Where is estradiol prooduced, and what are its 3 functions? |
|
Definition
|
Produced by maturing follicle within ovary
Maturation of secondary sexual characteristics
Maturation of reproductive tract
Regulatory function
?E: ?FSH, ?/? LH
?E: ? GnRH
|
|
|
Term
| Where is proogesterone produced, and what does it do? |
|
Definition
|
Produced by luteinized granulosa cells in corpus luteum in the ovary after ovulation
Produces changes in the endometrium that facilitate implantation of embryo
Essential for maintenance of pregnancy
Regulatory function
?P: ? FSH & LH
?P: ? GnRH secretion
|
|
|
Term
| Where is T produced, and what is T responsible for ? |
|
Definition
|
Leydig cells
Spermatogenesis
Sexual differentiation – Wolffian
Male body habitus, voice changes
Regulatory function:
?T: ? LH
?T: ? GnRH
|
|
|
Term
| How is DHT made, and what does it regulate? |
|
Definition
|
Converted from testosterone by 5?-reductase
External virilization during embryogenesis
Prostate
Male sex characteristics during puberty
Spermatogenesis
|
|
|
Term
| After birth, how you loose oocytes? |
|
Definition
|
only though the process of follicular growth and atresia
|
|
|
Term
| How is the rate of occyte atresia increased? |
|
Definition
|
Genetic factors: 2 X chromosomes necessary
Turner’s Syndrome, Premature Ovarian Failure
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Autoimmune
|
|
|
Term
| Is gonadal steroid production required for development of normal phenotype? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What horomones affect the uterus? |
|
Definition
|
Estrogen: proliferation of endometrium
Progesterone: decidualization, implantation
|
|
|
Term
| What do the Wolffian ducts become? |
|
Definition
|
Wolffian ducts:
Physically attached to the indifferent gonad
Epididymis, vasa deferentia, seminal vesicles
|
|
|
Term
| What does the urogenital sinus become? |
|
Definition
|
Urogenital sinus:
Prostate
Prostatic urethra
|
|
|
Term
| What does antimullarian horomone do? |
|
Definition
|
Antimullerian hormone
Glycoprotein product of embryonic testis
Ipsilateral suppression of mullerian ducts
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Testosterone
Stimulate wolffian ducts
Precursor for DHT
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Dihydrotestosterone
Male external genitalia
|
|
|
Term
| What is involved in the maturation of sperm? |
|
Definition
|
Maturation of sperm
Motility
Modification of structure
Loss of spermatid cytoplasm
|
|
|
Term
| when is there a peak of T in males? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| what happens during the neonatal period to gonadotrophin levles? |
|
Definition
|
Gonadotropin levels
high after birth, up to 2 years
release of suppression from maternal E and P
transient E, T secretion induced by high FSH/LH
|
|
|
Term
| What happens to the ovary and testis during Neonat? |
|
Definition
|
Ovary:
1 cm in diameter
250-350 mg weight
follicular cysts may be present due to higher gonadotropin levels
Testis:
Prespermatogenic cells present
|
|
|
Term
| What happens during childhood to the ovary and testes? |
|
Definition
|
Ovary :
Relatively quiescent
Follicles grow at all times and frequently reach antral stage (2-15 mm)
Full follicular development does not occur
Testis :
Quiescent
|
|
|
Term
| During childhood, what happens to the pituitary and hypothal? |
|
Definition
|
Pituitary & Hypothalamus
FSH, LH, estradiol & testosterone levels suppressed
low level pulses
Central suppression of hypothalamus
children with gonadal dysgenesis have FSH and LH levels similar to normal children
GnRH will stimulate FSH and LH secretion in these agonadal children
|
|
|
Term
| What happens with prepuberty? |
|
Definition
|
Increase in FSH and LH pulse amplitude and frequency
Initially LH pulse observed only at night
Similar pulses of less amplitude occurring throughout the 24 hours
In the adult pulses occur at set intervals
|
|
|
Term
| Where is the LH pulse initially observed? |
|
Definition
|
Initially LH pulse observed only at night
|
|
|
Term
| What happens with LH during puberty in a female? |
|
Definition
|
Normal adult LH pulse frequency and amplitude
Gonadotropin secretion leads to estrogen production by the ovaries
At midpuberty sufficient gonadal estrogen secretion leads to proliferation of the endometrium and the first menstruation (menarche) occurs
First 1-2 years following menarche, cycles are anovulatory (but not always!)
|
|
|
Term
| What happens for males durng puberty for the LH levels? |
|
Definition
|
Normal LH pulse frequency and amplitude
LH secretion leads to production of Testosterone by the Leydig cells in the testes.
Growth of the testes is the first sign of puberty in the male
|
|
|
Term
| What is a good test to see if puberty has becun? |
|
Definition
|
whether or not GnRH has been stimulated
|
|
|
Term
| During the ovulation (repro) period of a woman, do gonadotrophin levels vary? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What happens to gonadoptrophin levels during postmenarchy? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are 2 independent stages of puberty? |
|
Definition
|
Adrenarche:
increase in secretion of androgen precursors from the zona reticularis of the adrenal gland (DHEAS)
leads to growth of axillary and pubic hair
Not under direct control of ACTH
Factors controlling adrenarche obscure
Gonadarche:
activation of sex steroid secretion by the ovary or testis
leads to growth of breast tissue, sexual maturation
|
|
|
Term
| Are adrenarch and gonadarche independently regulated? |
|
Definition
|
Adrenarche occurs normally in individuals without functioning gonads (Turner Syndrome)
Gonadarche occurs normally in individuals with primary adrenal insufficiency
Premature adrenarche does not lead to premature gonadarche
|
|
|
Term
| what are 4 stages in puberty? |
|
Definition
|
Adrenarche
Androgen production from adrenal gland
Thelarche
Breast development
Pubarche
Development of pubic hair
Menarche
Onset of menstruation
|
|
|
Term
| When are the stages in pubertal development for girs? |
|
Definition
|
between 6 years old and 12.8
|
|
|
Term
| When do most girls get breasts? |
|
Definition
|
98.8% of girls have first sign of sexual development between ages of 8 and 13 years
|
|
|
Term
| When is menarche? what is really a response to? |
|
Definition
|
Onset of first menstrual period
Bleeding occurs in response to estrogen stimulus to the uterus
Does NOT reflect mature ovulatory cycle
Confirms patent utero-vaginal outflow tract
|
|
|
Term
| When is average age of menarche? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is growth spurt for girls dependent on? what horomones are involved? |
|
Definition
|
Growth spurt is dependent on the onset of puberty
Peak height velocity is attained in the majority of girls before they reach Tanner B3 and PH2
Average girl grows 2 - 3 inches during the 2 years following menarche
Growth hormone, IGF-I, sex steroids involved
|
|
|
Term
| What is involved in testicular growth? |
|
Definition
|
Increase in size
Sertoli cells cease to undergo mitosis
Germ cells predominate in adult
Leydig cells develop with LH stimulation
Spermatogenesis first start age 11-15 (Tanner II-III)
First conscious ejaculation mean age 13.5
|
|
|
Term
| What horomones are involved in male growth spurt? |
|
Definition
|
Prepubertal growth velocity similar in boys and girls
Puberty boys reach peak height velocity 2 yrs later than girls (Tanner III-IV)
GH, IGF induced by gonadal steroids
|
|
|
Term
| What are male physical changes? |
|
Definition
|
Genitalia
R testis larger than left
Phallus 6.2 cm to 13.2 cm
Vocal cords
Membranous and cartilaginous components lengthen to 18-23 mm (vs 13-18 mm girls)
Castrati vocal cords pre-pubertal length
Facial hair
Corners upper lip, cheeks then spreads to midline
Axillary hair
Occurs age 14 in boys (13 in girls)
Acne fulminans
Body changes
Shoulders wider
Legs grow before trunk
Distal extremities grow before proximal
Body composition
Increase in lean body mass starts age 9.5
Adult men 1.5 times lean body mass, 1.5 times skeletal body mass vs females
|
|
|
Term
| What are pfeiffer's heterosexist emotional changes? |
|
Definition
|
Family conflicts increase
Interest in opposite-sex companions increases while interest in same-sex companions decreases with pubertal maturation
Increased ability and preference for abstraction
Increase in imaginative responses
Increased judgement
|
|
|
Term
| Is the signal initiating puberty known? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What has been known to stimulate pubertal changes in female monkeys? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| what factors influence the onset of puberty? |
|
Definition
|
Genetic;
Environmental;
Toxic exposures;
Nutritional status;
Hormonal factors
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Earlier puberty associated with
urban environment
lower altitudes
proximity to equator
|
|
|
Term
| What are known toxic exposures? |
|
Definition
|
Diethylhexylphthalate in low doses advances onset of puberty in male rats
Flexible plastics
Low dose stimulate androgen production
Ge RS, et al. J Androl 2007
Tert-octylphenol administered neonatal period advances pubertal changes in female rats
Paints, herbicides, plastics
Binds estrogen receptors
Willoughby KN, et al. Endocrine 2005
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
GnRH pulsatile secretion by arcuate nucleus
Pituitary/gonadal dependence on hypothalamic control
Increase in this pulsatile secretion precedes and is responsible for gonadarche
|
|
|
Term
| What giverns resumption of GnRH pulsatility? |
|
Definition
|
GnRH control is extra-gonadal
Agonadal primate and human models show increased GnRH pulsatility
Candidates for neurobiologic control
GnRH control may differ by sex//
Model of restraining/braking is favored over stimulating in regulation of GnRH pulsatility
Increase in GnRH expression modest at puberty
GnRH mRNA and peptide similar before and after puberty
GnRH gene constant
|
|
|
Term
| what are upstream signals? |
|
Definition
|
GABA
Neuropeptide Y
TGF-a
Leptin
Kisspeptin
Glutamate
CCK
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Receptor on GnRH neurons
Key in female gonadarche
“Inhibits” GnRH
GABA declines as GnRH increases at gonadarche
Inactivate receptor or reduce GABA elicits GnRH in prepubertal monkeys ? premature menarche and precocious first ovulation
GABA agonist in 11-month girl with precocious gonadarche ? LH and pubertal develop regression
Depakoate cases of delayed puberty in boys
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Receptor in hypothalamus
Key in male gonadarche
“Inhibits” GnRH
NPY mRNA and peptide content inverse to GnRH at infancy, juvenile and puberty
NPY axons interact with GnRH perikarya
NPY central administration arrests GnRH pulses in monkeys
NPY can also stimulate GnRH release (?)
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) in arcuate nucleus suppresses pulsatile release of GnRH and pituitary response to GnRH
In absence of estrogen, NPY inhibits gonadotropin secretion
Undernutrition associated with ? NPY
? leptin inhibits NPY in arcuate nucleus
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Role of glial cells in GnRH regulation
Paracrine/autocrine release of prostaglandin E2
Prostaglandin E2 stimulatory to GnRH neurons
TGF-a mRNA increased in female pubertal monkeys
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Receptor in hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
Low level “required” for puberty
Leptin increases in puberty
Leptin soluble receptor decreases in puberty
Clinically, leptin deficiency, leptin receptor defects ? hypogonadism
But leptin does not induce precocious GnRH release (primates and human case)
But leptin is not consistently elevated before GnRH pulsatility
|
|
|
Term
| Timing of puberty: leptin |
|
Definition
|
Leptin: hormone product of ob gene
acts through functional receptors in the hypothalamus and serves as afferent satiety signal regulating appetite, body weight, sexual maturation
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Leptin administration accelerates sexual maturation and puberty in normal female mice
Females steady rise in leptin throughout puberty
Males leptin peaks just before puberty
Testosterone suppresses leptin
Estrogen correlated with leptin
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Kisspeptin is 121-aa protein
Increased expression with puberty in monkeys
Expression mostly in arcuate nucleus
Metastin is 54-aa cleaved form of kisspeptin
Carboxy terminal 10 aa (Kiss-10, Metastin 45-55)
Pulsatile infusion ? LH pulses
Continuous infusion ? decreased LH secretion (responds to glutamate and GnRH)
Responses blocked by GnRH antagonist
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
GPR54 is kisspeptin/metastin receptor
G protein coupled receptor
On GnRH neurons
On Anterior pituitary
Knockout mice ? no gonadarche
Clinical cases of inactivating mutation ? delayed puberty/hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
Glutamate and NMDA receptor
Receptor on GnRH neurons (rodents)
Glutamate increases at gonadarche in female primates
Independent of Kiss/GPR54 pathway
|
|
|
Term
| the signal that initiates puberty is unknown but... |
|
Definition
|
restraint/braking control of GnRH is favored.
|
|
|