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An in-depth explanation of the female reproductive cycle, focusing on the neural and hormonal control mechanisms. It covers the role of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries in secreting hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, oogenesis, and ovulation. The document also discusses the functions of estrogens and progesterone during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and lactation.
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I. Control of the Female Reproductive Cycle A. Neural and Hormonal Control l. Hypothalamus (neurosecretory tissue deep in the brain) secretes a releasing hormone (initially at puberty, and then, cyclic throughout female's reproduction life) that stimulates the pituitary gland (branches off the hypothalamus deep in the brain) to secrete FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) initially, and LH (luteinizing hormone) later in stages of the menstrual cycle a. FSH: induces one or more primary follicles of both ovaries to begin maturing (oogenesis: meiotic development of potential ova) and stimulates follicular cells of the ovaries to secrete estrogens. l) Oogenesis: a) Diploid oogonia (egg mother cell) mitotically proliferate during prenatal development; at about the third month, oogonia develop into larger diploid cells called primary oocytes located within primary follicles; (500,000 total at birth; arrested in Prophase I at birth). b) With beginning (puberty) and continuing of each menstrual cycle, Meiosis is stimulated resulting in the eventual singling out of one of several secondary follicles from one ovary to reach maturity due to hormonal influence; usually several follicles are stimulated from both ovaries, but only one attains maturity (ovulates). ** c) Normally, only one functional cell (potentially fertilizable) out of four of one ovary will be ovulated per menstrual cycle period of a female: primary follicles become secondary follicles of which one becomes a Graafian follicle that ovulates. d) Reproductive capability ends relatively early in female's life (average age in the 40's and termed menopause due to the absence of hormonal stimulation). e) The human egg is approximately 0.1mm in diameter and barely visible to the unaided eye.
B. The Menstrual Cycle l. The fluctuations of individual hormone concentrations in the bloodstream produces cyclic, structural and functional changes in the female reproductive organs (pituitary and ovarian hormones affect endometrium)--referred to as the menstrual cycle.
e. The placenta receives nutrients and oxygen from maternal blood coursing through the uterus and transmits these substances by way of the umbilical cord to the embryo; also excretions of fetus; placenta is completely developed in 10 weeks.