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Pregnancy and Parturition
Pregnancy and Parturition
57
Physiology
Undergraduate 3
07/23/2012

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Cards

Term
What is parturition?
Definition
Pregnancy
Term
Where does fertilization occur usually?
Definition
Uterine tube
Term
When must sperm be introduced into female reproductive tract? Why?
Definition
Within 5 days before ovulation. Sperm are viable for 5 days- oocyte is viable for 12-24 hours
Term
Why are sperm initially incapable of fertilization?
Definition
requires capacitation
Term
Where does capacitation occur?
Definition
In femal reproductive tract
Term
Can deposited sperm fertilize oocyte?
Definition
No, they need capacitation
Term
How long does capacitation usually take?
Definition
several hours
Term
What occurs during capacitation?
Definition
Molecules in semen aid capacitation
Increased tail movement (swiming)
Plasma membrane altered so they can attach to ovum
Term
How many sperm are deposited into vagina during copulation?
Definition
Millions
Term
Where do sperm swim to? What are they aided by?
Definition
Swim to uterus and uterine tube, aided by contractions of uterus and uterine tube
Term
How many sperm make it to uterine tubes?
Definition
Only a few hundred
Term
What is the protective layer of cells around ovum called?
Definition
corona radiata
Term
What are the events of fertilization?
Definition
Sperm reach ovum and try penetrating corona radiata, when through they bind to sperm-binding proteins on the zona pellucida. The acrosome reaction is then triggered, enzymes break through zona pellucida allowing sperm access to oocyte.
Term
What is the zona pellucida?
Definition
protective cover around oocyte
Term
What is the acrosome reaction?
Definition
release of enzymes from sperm head.
Term
What happens to the first sperm to access oocyte?
Definition
It binds to receptor on oocyte plasma membrane. It is transported into the cytoplasm of the oocyte. Fusion occurs and sperm binding proteins become inactivated. Outer layer of oocyte hardens preventing more sperm from coming in.
Term
What is fusion?
Definition
When the sperm is transported into the cytoplasm and they lose tail.
Term
Inside the cytoplasm what happens to the sperm?
Definition
Sperm plasma membrane disintegrates, chromosomes from sperm and ovum migrate to center. Now known as a zygote and cell division occurs
Term
What is a zygote>
Definition
fertilized ovum
Term
When does implantation occur?
Definition
6-9 days post fertilization
Term
Which cells are responsible for implantation?
Definition
outer layer of cells on the early embryo
Term
How does the early embryo implant?
Definition
secretes enzymes that digest portion of endometrial cells, release molecules that stimulate endometrial secretions, infiltrates endometrial tissue and starts to develop placenta.
Term
What do proteins on the outer layer of the embroy recognize?
Definition
Proteins on endometrial cells. Embryo will stick to endometrium causing it to swell and increases glycogen stores.
Term
What cells start to form a placenta and when?
Definition
Cells from both embryo and endometrium start to form placenta soon after implantation.
Term
What is the placenta?
Definition
organ specialized for exchange of molecules (O2, CO2, nutrients, wastes) between maternal blood and fetal blood.
Also secretes hormones as an important endocrine organ
Term
In the placenta, is there a direct exhange of blood?
Definition
No, it is seperated by the thin wall of the placenta.
Term
How is blood exchanged?
Definition
enzymes dissolve portions of endometrium called sinuses that are filled with maternal blood, the fetal blood vessels invade sinuses
Term
Where is the exchange of molecules between mother and fetus?
Definition
In the sinuses. Seperated by the thin walls of placenta
Term
Blood from of fully developed fetus comes from what?
Definition
Maternal- uterine artery and vein
Fetal- umbilical artery and vein located in umbilical cord.
Term
What happens in terms of hormones after 2 weeks of pregnancy?
Definition
Placenta starts to secrete the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Term
What does hCG do?
Definition
Maintains function of the corpus luteum in ovary by maintaining secretion of progesterone and estrogen by ovary.
Term
What is detected in home pregnancy tests?
Definition
hCG in urine
Term
What maintains the thickened highly vascularized endometrium and thus maintains pregnancy?
Definition
Progesterone
Term
What does progesterone inhibit?
Definition
Contraction of uterine smooth muscle
Term
What does RU 486 do?
Definition
Abortion drug, blocks the action of progesterone so that the uterine lining is sloughed along with embryo
Term
How long does the corpus luteum continue to secrete progesterone and estrogen?
Definition
2-3 months, first trimester
Term
What happens after the first trimester (2-3 months)?
Definition
Placenta starts to now secrete progesterone to maintain pregnancy. hCG secretion stops and the corpus luteum in ovary degenerates.
Term
After first trimester, what maintains endometrium?
Definition
the placenta
Term
hCG secreted from -- sustains -- which secretes-- for the first 2-3 months until -- secretes -- for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Definition
placenta sustains corpus leteum which secretes estrogens and progesterone for the first trimester, until the placenta starts secreting estrogens and progesterone for the remainder of the pregnancy
Term
What prevents ovulation during pregnancy?
Definition
Progesterone
Term
How does progesterone inhibit ovulation during pregnancy?
What type of control is this?
Definition
Progesterone inhibits GnRH, LH and FSH release, preventing LH surge (no follicle decelopment or ovulation).
Negative control on anterior pituitary/hypothalamus
Term
What are birth control pills?
Definition
Combination of synthetic progesterone and estrogen.
Term
How do birth control pills usually come?
Definition
In 28 day dispensers (one per day)
21 days have hormones, 7 days have a placebo. Normal mensturation during 7 days of placebo
Term
What is the morning after pill/Plan B? When can it be used
Definition
Very high does of progesterone and estrogen- prevents ovulation and interfere with implantation. Used up to 72 hours after sex- 80% effective.
Term
How long is pregnancy?
Definition
40 weeks
Term
During the last month of pregnancy what does the placenta secrete?
Definition
Mostly estrogen, less progesterone
Term
What do the high levels of blood estrogen increase in the last month of pregnancy?
Definition
Increase the number of oxytocin receptors on uterus smooth muscle cells.
Term
What is oxytocin a stumulate for?
Definition
A powerful stimulant for uterine contraction
Term
What is occuring when the uterus first starts to contract?
Definition
Baby moves from head up to head down towards cervix
Term
Contractions push the babies head into-
Definition
the cervix
Term
Stretch receptors in cervic signal what? What type of feedback is this? What eventually happens?
Definition
signal hypothalamus/posterior pituitary to secrete more oxytocin to travel to uterus to cause greater uterine contractions- pushing further into cervix, triggering more contractions. Positive feedback. Eventually a strong enough contraction pushes baby out.
Term
Summary of the positive feedback system during labor-
Definition
oxytocin secreted from posterior pituitary-> Strengthen uterine contractions -> Pressure of fetus against cervix -> Stimulates oxytocin from the beginning
Term
What ripens the cervix of the uterus?
Definition
Estrogen
Term
How much does the cervix have to be dilated for childbirth?
Definition
10 cm
Term
What is the trigger for parturition?
Definition
unknown, theory suggests signal comes from fetus.
Term
What is the signal theory for parturition?
Definition
Fetal placenta secretes corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)-> to fetal anterior pituitary _> ACTH _> causes fetal adrenal gland to secrete estrogen precursors when fully developed -> estrogens entering maternal blood stream -> increases oxytocin receptors in myometrium
Term
What can be used to predict partuition?
Definition
steady increase in CRH by placenta
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