The Female Reproductive System - 1

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad Axis
and Follicle Maturation

Jennifer Carbrey Ph.D.

Department of Cell Biology
 Common Axis
once each cycle
an increase in
estrogen causes an
increase in GnRH
production

(and progesterone)

In males & females, GnRH secretion is pulsatile.

Local secretion of testosterone is needed for development of ovum (female) and of sperm (male).

Inhibin B decreases FSH secretion. Sex hormones regulate GnRH, LH and FSH.
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The Roles of the Ovary
Oocyte Number

Germ cells (oocytes) are generated in

embryogenesis (10-20 milllion per ovary at
birth).

400-500 oocytes actually mature to ovulation.

 Oocyte Maturation

oocyte

granulosa cells

theca cells
LH FSH

Theca cells Granulosa cells

Estrogen increases the number of LH receptors -positive feedback
produce convert
As follicle matures, the follicle produces more and more estrogen
testosterone testosterone
In addition, the number of LH and FSH receptors increases, making the follicle
to estrogen
more sensitive to their effects
Image modified from Cambridge Natural History, Volume X, Mammalia (1902), by Frank E. Beddard, Macmillan & Co., Limited, public domain
 Ovulation

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Role of kisspeptin in LH surge

LH mid cycle surge due to estrogen

positive feedback to kisspeptin

LH surge triggers ovulation.

 Phases of the Ovary

2., 3. follicle maturation

4. ovulation
5. corpus luteum formation
6. corpus luteum degeneration
image by Shazz (modified), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Order_of_changes_in_ovary.svg , Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
 Key Concepts

Differentiation of germ cells as well as synthesis and secretion of

sex hormones are the common functions of the ovaries and
testes.

FSH and LH govern germ cell maturation and sex steroid

hormone production in both males and females.

As the chosen follicle matures, it produces estrogen which

increases its own sensitivity to LH (and FSH) and reduces the
amount of FSH released by the pituitary. The reduction in FSH
leads to the death of less mature follicles.

In females, a second group of kisspeptin neurons is responsible

for the ability of estrogen to cause the LH surge.