Female Reproductive System

Part B – Oogenesis and the Menstrual Cycle

Gametogenesis: the processes in

males and females of
spermatogenesis and oogenesis

Gametogenesis: produce viable,

specialised, 1n or haploid, cells with
half the genetic content – 23
chromosomes.

Females produce 1 viable gamete

from 1 primary cell while males
produce 4 gametes from 1 primary
cell – MEIOSIS.

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Fast Feedback

What is gametogenesis?

The processes called in males spermatogenesis and in

females --------------

Gametogenesis produces -------- chromosomes via -----------

a) Meiosis
b) Mitosis
c) 23
d) 46

Gametogenesis: the processes in

males and females of
spermatogenesis and oogenesis

Gametogenesis: produce viable,

specialised, 1n or haploid, cells with
half the genetic content – 23
chromosomes.

Females produce 1 viable gamete

from 1 primary cell while males
produce 4 gametes from 1 primary
cell – MEIOSIS.

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Gametogenesis: the processes in
males and females of

Review mitosis
spermatogenesis and oogenesis

Gametogenesis: produce viable,

and meiosis
specialised, 1n or haploid, cells with
half the genetic content – 23
chromosomes.

from HSF??
Females produce 1 viable gamete
from 1 primary cell while males
produce 4 gametes from 1 primary
cell – MEIOSIS.

What’s happening inside What’s happening in the

the oocyte (egg) in the follicle (oocyte & surrounding
ovary. cells) in the ovary.

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 Oogenesis
Meiosis occurs in the ovary, it begins
prior to birth and takes years to
complete

Germ cells arise in embryo (wk 5-6)

cvv
and colonise the gonadal ridges
forming oogonia (diploid stem cells in
ovaries).

Oogonia multiply rapidly by mitosis,

until the ~5th month, then enter a
growth phase and produce nutrient
reserves

Gradually primordial follicles develop

as oogonia are transformed into
primary oocytes.

Fast Feedback
Oogenesis
When does oogenesis start in a female?

How do oogenia divide? And for how long does this process continue?

Meiosis occurs in the ovary, it begins prior to birth and takes years to
start before birth
complete.

Oogonia multiply rapidly by ---------, until the --------- month, then enter
a growth phase and produce nutrient reserves.

Oogonia are transformed into primary oocytes and ------------ develope

gradually around them.

What is the number of chromosomes in a human primary oocytes?

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 Oogenesis
At birth a female is presumed to
have her lifetime supply of oocytes

~2million ooctyes are in the cortical

region of the immature ovary at birth
where they are suspended for 12-14
years

By puberty only 400,000 oocytes

remain.

(if a female ovulated once every 28

days from ages 14-60 she would only
use ~600 oocytes).

Fast Feedback
Oogenesis
What happens to the number of oocytes over a woman’s life time?

At birth a female is presumed to have her lifetime supply of

oocytes

When a female is born, ----------- ooctyes are in the cortical region

of the immature ovary where they remain suspended for -------
years. By puberty only --------- oocytes remain.

If a woman ovulated once every 28 days from ages 14-60 she

would only use ---------- oocytes.

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 Oogenesis
Primary oocyte begin meiosis 1, stalled
in prophase 1 and do not complete it
(crossing over has occurred)

Beginning at puberty, a small number of

oocytes are recruited each month in
response to a LH surge mid cycle

One is selected to continue meiosis 1

producing two haploid cells (each
containing 23 chromosomes): a
secondary oocyte and a first polar body.

The first polar body receives almost no

cytoplasm or organelles while the far
larger secondary oocyte retains much of
the material enlarging it.

The first polar body is released with

ovulation, and may undergo meiosis 2
resulting in two tiny polar bodies

Fast Feedback
Oogenesis

When a female is born, what stage of meiosis are her primary

oocytes in?

During oogenesis, one oocyte (sometimes more) is selected to

continue -------- producing two haploid cells (each containing 23
chromosomes): a -------- oocyte and a ---------- body.

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 Oogenesis

The secondary oocyte arrests at

metaphase 2 and it is this cell that is
ovulated and then fertilised

Following penetration by a sperm the

secondary oocyte quickly completes
meiosis 2 resulting in the formation of 1
large ovum, and a second polar body

Therefore the outcome of oogenesis for

females is (up to) 3 small polar bodies
and one large ovum.

All 4 cells are haploid but ONLY the ovum

is a functional gamete

Fast Feedback Oogenesis

In the female reproductive system, what causes completion of
meiosis 2?

What is the genetic number of the ova?

When a secondary oocyte’s development is arrested? What stage

of meiosis has it reached?

The secondary oocyte arrests development at ------- and it is this

cell that is ovulated and then moves into the (structure) -------.

Following penetration by a ------- the secondary oocyte quickly

completes meiosis 2 resulting in the formation of an ------ , and a
(two words) ----------------.

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Fast Feedback

Arrange the following follicles in size order from the smallest to

the largest:
Primordial follicle – Mature follicle – Secondary follicle – Primary
follicle

What are two differences between a primordial follicle and a

primary follicle?

What type of cell is forms the exterior of a primary follicle?

What two key features identify a secondary follicle?

How can you distinguish a secondary follicle from a mature
follicle?

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Fast Feedback

What happens to secondary oocytes at ovulation?

What forms the corona radiata?

When the corpus luteum degenerates, it forms -------------

The secondary oocytes is released from the ----------- during

ovulation.

Following ovulation, the granulosa cells divide and enlarge to form

the --------------------- .

When is a corpus albicans formed?

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Cortical region cat ovary
- Primordial follicles in cortex.
- Larger follicles: primary, secondary &
graafian

http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/Notes/week1_3a.htm

Avg is 28 days, varies between 21 - 40 days; with only 10-15% of

women actually having a 28 day cycle
Not a 28 days cycle - the length and timing of the follicular phase
varies, the luteal phase remains constant i.e. the 14 days from
ovulation to the end of the cycle.

Menses (bleeding) day 1-5.

The follicular phase is the period of follicle growth/maturation.
Also period of stratum functionalis proliferation in the uterus
(proliferative phase) day 6-14.
Ovulation occurs mid cycle day 14.
The luteal phase is the period of corpus luteum activity from days
15-28. Also period of maturation and secretion of uterine glands
(secretory phase).

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Fast Feedback

1. The ovarian cycle lasts an average of ------- days, although it

varies between --- to ---- days; with only 10-15% of women
actually having a ----------- day cycle
2. The luteal phase remains constant i.e. the -------- days from
ovulation to the end of the cycle.
3. The bleeding period in the ovarian cycle is also termed -------
and it is generally between ---- to ----- day.

Phase Definition

is the period of follicle growth/maturation. Also period of

stratum functionalis proliferation in the uterus
-------------------- (proliferative phase) and it is between day ---- to ------
-------------------- occurs mid cycle day 14.
is the period of corpus luteum activity from days ---- to ---
--------------------

1) Day 1, rising levels of GnRH stimulate increased production of FSH and LH by

the anterior pituitary.

2) FSH and LH
stimulate follicle
maturation &
estrogen secretion.
FSH: follicle cells, LH:
thecal cells.
Thecal cells produce
androgens 
estrogen by the
granulosa cells

FSH: initiates
development of primary
follicle (starts around
day 25 of previous cycle,
20-25 primordial follicles
develop each cycle, 1
ovulated).

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Fast Feedback

1. During the ovarian cycle, rising levels of Gonadotropin-releasing

hormone (GnHR) at day 1, stimulate increased production of ----
and ------ by the ----- gland.

2. --- and --- hormones stimulate -------- maturation and --------

hormone secretion.

3. --------- initiates development of primary follicle (starts around

day 25 of previous cycle, 20-25 primordial follicles develop each
cycle, ---------- ovulated).

3) Slightly high level estrogen in the plasma, -’ve feedback on the ant’ pit’ inhibiting
FSH & LH release. Within ovary, more estrogen is produced. Inhibin released by
granulosa cells also exerts –’ve feedback on ant’ pit’

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Fast Feedback

Slightly high levels of -------------- in the plasma and (two

substances) ----------- --------------- from the ovary have --------
feedback on the anterior pituitary inhibiting FSH & LH
release.

4) Very high levels of

estrogen exert positive
feedback on the
hypothalamus and ant’ pit.

5) Sudden burst like rise in

LH & FSH (mid cycle =
ovulation)

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Fast Feedback

Slightly high levels of -------------- in the plasma has a --------

feedback on the anterior pituitary, whereas very high levels of
---------- exert ------feedback on the hypothalamus and anterior
pituitary.

Ovulation occurs as a result of a sudden burst like rise in ------ and

---------

When do very high level of LH and FSH occur?

6) LH surge triggers: a) primary oocyte of the dominant follicle to complete

meiosis 1, forming secondary oocyte (continues to metaphase II), b) ovulation.
Estrogen levels decline.

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Fast Feedback

The LH surge triggers:

a) ----------- oocyte of the dominant follicle to complete meiosis
------, forming --------------oocyte (continues to metaphase II),
a) ------------------------ (process).

7) LH surge also transforms remaining ruptured follicle into the corpus luteum
which begins to produce progesterone and some estrogen.

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Fast Feedback

The LH surge also transforms the remaining ruptured -------- into the
--------------- which begins to produce progesterone and some
estrogen.

When do you get high peak of estrogen and what ovarian events
occur at this stage?

8) Rising progesterone and estrogen levels, exert –’ve feedback on ant’ pit’. LH &
FSH are low, development and ovulation of other follicles is inhibited.

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Fast Feedback

Rising progesterone and estrogen levels, exert -------------feedback

on anterior pituitary.

Development and ovulation of other follicles is ---------- if LH & FSH

are low.

9) LH levels low causes the corps luteum to degenerate. Estrogen and progesterone
decline sharply – blockade on ant’ pit’ stopped and a new cycle starts.

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Fast Feedback

At high level of progesterone the levels of LF and FSH ------------------.

Whereas, when progesterone declines, the ------------------- (structure)
degenerates.

Ovulation: release of a secondary oocyte from an ovary. Unlike

spermatogenesis, division of cytoplasm during meiosis is uneven
and polar bodies are very small ; oocyte very large

Graafian follicle become corpus luteum

Fate of corpus luteum

If fertilization occurs, corpus luteum persists
If no fertilization, becomes corpus albicans

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Fast Feedback

--------- is the release of a secondary oocyte from an ovary. Unlike

------------------(process), division of cytoplasm during meiosis is
uneven and (two words) ------------ are very small ; whereas the
---------- is very large

What is the fate of corpus luteum if:

 fertilization occurs, the --------------- persists
 no fertilization, it becomes a (two words)-------------------

Menstruation is a series a cyclical changes in the uterine endometrium in

response to the hormone changes in the ovarian cycle. Makes the uterus
receptive for a fertilized embryo (~6 days post fertilization)

Day 1-5 : Menstrual phase the uterus sheds (bleeds) all but the deepest part of
the endometrium when ovarian hormones are at their lowest levels and
gonadotropins are on the rise. Ends as growing follicle starts to produce estrogen.

Day 6-14: Proliferative phase. Under the influence of increasing estrogen levels
the endometrium rebuilds itself, a new functional layer is produced which
thickens and its glands enlarge and spiral arteries increase in number (ovulation
~day 14).

Day 15-28: Secretory / postovulatory phase. The endometrium prepares for

implantation due to increasing levels of progesterone, uterine glands secrete
glycogen. If implantation does not occur the lining will shed due to lack of
hormonal support.

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Fast Feedback

1. Name the three phases of the uterine cycle?

2. The following are the 3 phases of ----------------------:

Day 1-5 : Menstrual phase
Day 6-14: Proliferative phase
Day 15-28: Secretory / postovulatory phase

3. The following are the 3 phases of the uterine cycle:

Day 1-5 : -------------phase
Day 6-14: --------------------phase
Day 15-28: -----------------------------phase

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Fast Feedback

At which days of the uterine cycle does each stage occur?

The following are the 3 stages of the uterine cycle:

Day ------------- : Menstrual phase
Day ------------- : Proliferative phase
Day --------------: Secretory / postovulatory phase

Menses (d1-5)
The apical portion of the endometrium is the
functional layer.

It sloughs off as the spiral arteries remain in a

constricted state in response to low levels of
progesterone, depriving the functional layer
of an adequate blood supply.

Functional layer tissue and some blood make

up most of the menstrual fluid. The basal
layer of the endometrium remains intact.

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Fast Feedback

Which portion of endometrium is sloughed off during menses?

Which layer remains intact?

In the case of low level of progesterone, what happens in the

uterine cycle?

What causes the spiral arteries to stay in a constricted state?

What is the reaction of the spiral arteries to low levels

progesterone?

Proliferative phase (d6-14)

Epithelial cells of the basal layer of the
endometrium proliferate in response to
estrogen.

As a result, the epithelial cells and loose

connective tissue on which they rest
form the tubular, spiral
glands.

The spiral arteries found in the loose

connective tissue between the spiral
glands nourish the functional layer.

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Fast Feedback

During the proliferative phase, what two key changes occur in

the uterine lining?

During the proliferative phase, there are 2 key changes that

occur:
•Epithelial cells of the basal layer of the endometrium -------------
in response to ---------------------------.
•As a result, the epithelial cells and loose connective tissue on
which they rest form the -----------, ------------ glands.
•The spiral arteries found in the loose connective tissue between
the spiral glands ------------- the functional layer.

Secretory phase (d15- 28)

Epithelial cells of the basal and
functional layers undergo hypertrophy
in response to progesterone.

As a result, the spiral glands become

more elongated and more spiral.

Consequently, the endometrial layer

reaches its greatest thickness.

Primed for implantation – day 21.

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Fast Feedback

What day is the optimum for the secretory phase? What may
happen on this day?

Implantation occurs in the ----------------------- phase of the

uterine cycle, at day ------------.
a)14
b)21
c)Secretory
d)Proliferative
e)Menses

Fertilization and Pregnancy (Chpt 29)

Sperm ejaculated into vagina during

copulation and transported through cervix
and uterine tubes to ampulla (fertilization).

Oocyte can be fertilized up to 24 hours after

ovulation

Sperm cells can be viable for up to 6 days in

female tract

Ectopic pregnancy: Implantation occurs

anywhere other than uterine cavity

Fertilization occurs in uterine tube (ampulla).

Multiple mitoses occur after union of oocyte
and sperm nuclei, forming an embryo (2n).

Implantation in the uterine wall (1-6 days

after fertilization).

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Fast Feedback

Fertilization and Pregnancy

Where in the uterine tube does the fertilization generally occur

(specific part)?

How long can an oocyte be viable for fertilization after ovulation?

How long can sperm be viable in the female reproductive tract?

Implantation that occurs anywhere other than the uterine cavity is

termed an ------- pregnancy.

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