FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs

• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
THE FEMALE HORMONAL SYSTEM:
1. GnRH (Gonadotropin releasing hormone -
hypothalamic)
2. FSH and LH (Anterior Pituitary hormones)
3. Estrogen and Progesterone (Ovarian hormones)

 Secreted at different rates during the monthly

cycle
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
Female Monthly Sexual (Menstrual) Cycle:
- Monthly changes in rates of secretion of female
hormones and corresponding physical changes in
the sexual organs
- Cycle duration average = 28 days (20 – 45 days)
- Abnormal cycle length usually associated with
infertility
- Results in the release of a single ovum from the
ovaries each month and the preparation of the
uterine endometrium for implantation of the
fertilized ovum
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
Gonadotropic Hormones Effects on the Ovaries:
- At age 9 – 12 yrs, the pituitary begins to produce
more FSH and LH  onset of monthly cycles
(puberty, menarche)
- FSH and LH  bind to receptors in ovarian target
cell membrane  act thru cAMP 2nd messenger
system
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- At birth  Ovum with single layer of granulosa
cells = Primordial Follicle
- Granulosa cells  provides nutrients and oocyte
maturation-inhibiting factor
- At puberty  increased LH and FSH  ovaries and
follicles grow
- Primordial follicle grows more granulosa cell
layers  Primary Follicle
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- 1st few days of monthly cycle  FSH and LH
secretions increase
- FSH  causes growth of 6 – 12 primary
follicles/mo
 Rapid proliferation of granulosa cells
 2nd mass of cells are formed  THECA
 Theca Interna – secretes estrogen and
progesterone
 Theca Externa – highly vascular connective tissue
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid with high
estrogen content  Antrum
- FSH  development of Primary follicle to antral
stage
- More growth  Vesicular follicles: due to
1. Estrogen increases FSH receptors
2. FSH and Estrogen promote LH receptors
3. Estrogen and LH cause proliferation of thecal
cells
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- The most rapidly growing follicle secrete large
amounts of estrogen  negative feedbacks to
hypothalamus and anterior pituitary  suppress
growth of other follicles
- Only the largest follicle continues to grow, others
undergo atresia
- At point of ovulation  Mature Follicle
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
Ovulation:
- Normal 28-day cycle = ovulation is at day 14
- Before ovulation, follicle develops stigma  fluid
oozes from stigma  stigma ruptures  releases
viscous fluid with ovum surrounded by granulosa
cells  corona radiata
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
Ovulation:
- LH needed for final follicular growth and ovulation
- 2 days before ovulation  LH secretion increases
markedly  LH surge
- LH converts granulosa and theca cells to
progesterone secreting cells
- 1 day before ovulation  estrogen levels begin to
fall; Progesterone levels begin to rise
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
Ovulation:
1. LH surge
2. Causes rapid secretion of follicular steroid
hormones containing progesterone
3. Theca externa cells  release proteolytic
enzymes  weakening of the follicle wall 
degeneration of the stigma
4. Follicular hyperemia and prostaglandin secretion
 plasma transudation into follicle  Follicle
swelling  rupture
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Luteal Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- After ovulation  remaining granulosa and theca
cells enlarge and become filled with lipid
inclusions  yellowish appearance  Lutein cells
 Corpus Luteum
- Corpus luteum granulosa cells secrete large
amounts of progesterone and some estrogen
- Corpus luteum theca cells secrete
androstenedione and testosterone  converted to
female hormones by granulosa cells
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Luteal Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- Corpus luteum loses function and involutes 12
days after ovulation  Corpus albicans
- Absorbed after months
- LH causes the luteinization of the granulosa and
theca cells
- LH causes the Corpus luteum to secrete large
amounts of progesterone and estrogen
- If the female becomes pregnant  chorionic
gonadotropin sustains corpus luteum for 2-4 mos
THE MONTHLY OVARIAN CYCLE; FUNCTION OF
THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONES
The Luteal Phase of the Ovarian Cycle:
- Estrogen and progesterone have strong feedback
effects on anterior pituitary secretion of FSH and
LH
- Luteal cells secrete INHIBIN
- Low FSH, LH and presence of Inhibin causes
corpus luteum to involute 12 days after ovulation
(or day 26 of monthly cycle)
- Sudden cessation of estrogen, progesterone and
inhibin causes FSH and LH release again 
menstruation and development of new follicles
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Estrogen:
- In normal non-pregnant female, secreted by
ovaries; in pregnancy also secreted by placenta
- 3 estrogens: β-estradiol (principal estrogen),
Estrone, Estriol
Progestins:
- Most important is progesterone
- In non-pregnant, secreted by corpus luteum during
latter half of ovarian cycle
- During pregnancy, also secreted by placenta
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
- Progesterone and Testosterone are synthesized
first  converted to Estrogen by granulosa cells
- Progesterone and Estrogen loosely bound to
plasma albumin and binding globulin
- Estrogen and Progesterone are metabolized in the
liver  excreted thru bile , feces, urine; liver
disease may cause increased estrogen/
progesterone levels
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Effects of Estrogen:
- End effect  proliferation and growth of sex
organs
- Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina
increase in size
- External genitalia enlarge
- Change vaginal epithelium from cuboid to
stratified type
- Causes marked proliferation of endometrial
stroma, and development of endometrial glands
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Effects of Estrogen:
- Causes mucosal lining of fallopian tubes to
proliferate, increase number of ciliated cells,
increased activity of cilia (beating towards uterus)
- Causes development of stromal tissues in the
breast; growth of breasts duct system; deposition
of fat in breasts
- Causes increased osteoblastic activity  rapid
growth  earlier closure of epiphysis; decreased
estrogen levels at menopause may cause
osteoporosis
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Effects of Estrogen:
- Causes slight increase in total body protein; due
to growth promoting effect
- Causes increased metabolic rate, fat deposition in
subcutaneous tissue, breasts, buttocks, thighs
- Causes smooth, soft skin; witn increased
vascularity
- Causes Na and water retention by kidney tubules
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Effects of Progesterone:
- Promotes secretory changes in the uterine
endometrium during the latter half of monthly cycle
 Prepare uterus for implantation
- Promotes increased secretion of nutrients by the
mucosal lining of the fallopian tubes
- Promotes development of lobules and alveoli of
the breasts  secretory in nature
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Monthly Endometrial Cycle and Menstruation:
1. Proliferative Phase (Estrogen phase):
- After menstruation, thin layer of endometrial
stroma remains
- Estrogen causes proliferation of stromal and
epithelial cells  up to ovulation time
- Endometrial lining thickens
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Monthly Endometrial Cycle and Menstruation:
2. Secretory Phase (Progestational phase):
- After ovulation
- Estrogen causes slight additional proliferation;
progesterone causes swelling and secretory
development of the endometrium
- Produces highly secretory endometrium with
large amounts of nutrients ready for implantation
of the fertilized ovum
THE OVARIAN HORMONES:
Monthly Endometrial Cycle and Menstruation:
3. Menstrual Phase:
- If ovum is not fertilized, estrogen and
progesterone levels drop  menstruation
- Due to decreased stimulation of endometrial cells
by the hormones
- Involution of the endometrium, vasospasm,
decrease in nutrients, cause start of necrosis in
endometrium  Necrotic areas desquamate
- Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions to
expel contents
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm:
• Hypothalamus  GnRH  Anterior Pituitary  LH
and FSH
• GnRH has pulsatile pattern of secretion 
followed by pulsatile secretion of LH
• Estrogen has strong negative feedback effects on
LH and FSH release  feedback enhanced by
progesterone
• Estrogen causes positive feedback  LH surge
prior to ovulation
Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm:

- Puberty  onset of adult sexual life

- Menarche  beginning of menstrual cycles
- Menopause  at 40 – 50 yrs  irregular cycles,
failure of ovulation  female hormones diminish
Due to: Ovaries are used up
Sx: Hot flushes, Psychic dyspnea, irritability,
fatigue, anxiety, decreased strength and
calcification of bones
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
THE FEMALE SEXUAL ACT:
Stimulation:
- Psychic and local sexual stimulation
- Sexual thoughts may increase desire  based on
background training
- Desire changes during sexual cycles; peaks near
ovulation due to high estrogen levels
- Clitoris most sensitive sensory area
- sexual sensory signals pass thru pudendal nerve
and sacral plexus
THE FEMALE SEXUAL ACT:
Female Erection and Lubrication:
- Clitoris has erectile tissue similar to penis;
erection function by parasympathetic
- Introitus tightens  greater stimulation for the
male
- Parasympathetic signals stimulate bartholins
glands to secrete mucus inside introitus 
provides lubrication for satisfactory massaging
sensation  male and female climax
THE FEMALE SEXUAL ACT:
Female Orgasm:
- Local sexual stimulation reaches maximum
intensity  female climax
- Perineal muscles contract rhythmically, dilation of
the cervical canal  for easier sperm transit
- Causes intense muscle tension throughout the
body  Resolution
• Anatomy of the Female Sexual Organs
• Female Hormonal System
• Monthly Ovarian Cycles
• The Ovarian Hormones
• Regulation of Female Monthly Rhythm
• The Female Sexual Act
• Female Fertility
FEMALE FERTILITY:
- Ovum remains viable after ovulation up to 24
hours
- For successful fertilization, intercourse should
occur 4 – 5 days before ovulation up to a few hours
after ovulation
- Natural family planning: avoid intercourse 4 days
before and 3 days after calculated day of ovulation
SPINNBARKEIT