Reproduction:

Maternal Side
Noroyono Wibowo
Fetomaternal Division
Department Obstetrics & Gynecology
Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia
Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital
Jakarta

Feedback Mechanisms in
Ovarian Function

Figure 27.21

Gonadotropins, Hormones, and the

Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

Figure 27.22c, d

Direct Gene Activation

Receptor/hormone Complex

mRNA

Protein
Aldosterone
Cortisol
Testosterone
Estrogen
Progesterone
Thyroxine

Direct Gene Activation

Steroid Hormone

Receptor/hormone Complex

Mechanisms of Hormonal Action

Second Messenger Systems
amino acid & protein based
cannot pass through cell membranes
bind to cell membrane receptors
activate G proteins in membrane to
produce cyclic AMP in cytoplasm
cyclic AMP acts as second messenger
inside cell activating protein kinases
protein kinases trigger cellular responses

Second Messenger Systems

Hormone Sources & Functions

Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone
(GnRH) :
Source:

Hypothalamus

Targets & Functions:

Females & Males - Anterior
Pituitary
Stimulates the production of Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH) &
Leutinizing Hormone (LH)
Regulates the release of FSH & LH by
the anterior pituitary gland

Hormone Sources &

Functions
Follicle Stimulating Hormone:
Source:

Anterior Pituitary

Targets & Functions:

Females - Ovaries
Stimulates follicle growth & maturation
Stimulates estrogen production

Males - Seminiferous Tubules

Promotes sperm production
(Spermatogenesis) by establishing
testosterone receptors on tubules

Leutenizing Hormone:
Source:

Anterior Pituitary

Targets & Functions:

Females - Ovaries
Stimulates primary oocyte to complete
first meiotic division to become
secondary oocyte
Triggers ovulation of secondary oocyte

Transforms ruptured follicle into

corpus luteum
Stimulates production of
progesterone by corpus luteum

Corpus luteum

Males - Seminiferous Tubules

Stimulates sperm production
(Spermatogenesis) by causing
interstitial cells in testes to secrete
testosterone

Estrogen:
Sources: Maturing Follicles & Corpus Luteum
Targets & Functions:
Body in general
Stimulates the development of female secondary
sexual characteristics

Uterus
Stimulates proliferative phase of
uterine cycle

Ovaries
Promotes oogenesis

Breasts
Stimulates development of milk
ducts and sinuses (ampullae)

Anterior Pituitary
Stimulates burst-like release of LH

Progesterone:
Source:

Corpus Luteum & Placenta

Targets & Functions:

Females - Uterus
Maintains thickened endometrium
Stimulates nutrient release
Quiets myometrium

Corpus
luteum

Females - Breasts
Stimulates development of alveoli
for milk production

Females - Anterior Pituitary

Inhibits production & release of
FSH & LH

Testosterone:
Sources: Interstitial Cells in Testes
Targets & Functions:
Body in general
Stimulates the development of male secondary
sexual characteristics including:
development of male genitalia
male skeleton and muscle development
male patterns for hair growth
increased RBC production & higher metabolic rate

Seminiferous tubules
Necessary for the completion of
spermatogenesis
Anterior Pituitary
Moderate inhibition of pituitary and
hypothalamus

Oxytocin:

Sources: Manufactured by hypothalamus.

Stored & released by Posterior Pituitary

Positive Feedback Mechanisms:

1. Childbirth - Stretching of uterus and cervix
2. Suckling - Milk letdown reflex

Targets & Functions:

Uterus
Stimulates contraction of uterine
myometrium causing lowering of fetus &
labor

Breasts
Stimulates contraction of milk
ducts and sinuses, releasing milk

Prolactin:
Source: Anterior Pituitary
Targets & Functions:
Breasts
Stimulates alveoli of breasts to produce milk

Regulation
Release of prolactin by anterior pituitary
is regulated by hypothalamus production
of Prolactin Releasing Hormone (PRH) &
Prolactin Inhibiting Hormone (PIH)

Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin:
Source: Trophoblasts of blastocyst & Chorion

Target & Functions:

Corpus Luteum
Maintains corpus luteum & causes it to continue
producing progesterone in the absence of LH
through first four months of pregnancy till placenta
produces sufficient estrogen & progesterone to
maintain the pregnancy

Hormonal Regulation of
Ovarian & Menstrual Cycles
1. Hypothalamus releases
GnRH.
2. GnRH stimulates anterior
pituitary to release FSH.
FSH

3. FSH stimulates a follicle

to grow & produce
estrogen.

Estrogen

Hormonal Regulation of
Menstrual & Ovarian Cycles
LH

4. Rising levels of estrogen

cause anterior pituitary to
increase production &
storage of LH.

Estrogen
FSH

Estrogen

Hormonal Regulation of
Menstrual & Ovarian Cycles
5. High estrogen causes LH
to be released in a burst &
the endometrium to thicken
(proliferative phase).

Estrogen
FSH

6. High LH stimulates first

meiotic division of primary
oocyte.

LH

Estrogen

Hormonal Regulation of
Menstrual & Ovarian Cycles
7. High LH triggers
ovulation.
8. High LH causes
ruptured follicle to become
a corpus luteum.

Estrogen
FSH
LH

Estrogen

Hormonal Regulation of
Menstrual & Ovarian Cycles
9. Corpus luteum produces
progesterone.
10. Progesterone inhibits
the production of FHS &
LH by the anterior
pituitary & stimulates
secretory phase .

Estrogen

FSH

LH

Estrogen

Progesterone

Hormonal Regulation of
Ovarian & Menstrual Cycles
11. Diminishing levels of FSH
& LH cause corpus luteum to
deteriorate & produce less
progesterone.
12. Dimishing levels of
estrogen & progesterone
cause inhibition of FSH &
LH to end & thickened
endometrium to slough
(menses).

Estrogen
X
FSH
LH

Progesterone
X

Hormonal Regulation of
Ovarian & Menstrual Cycles

13. Increasing levels of

FSH cause a new cycle to
begin.

FSH

Hormonal Regulation in
Pregnancy

Normally dimishing levels

of estrogen & progesterone
from deterioration of the
corpus luteum would cause
thickened endometrium to
slough (menses) which
would terminating a
pregnancy.

Estrogen
X

Progesterone
X

Hormonal Regulation if
Pregnancy Occurs
Blastocyst produces
human Chorionic
Gonadotropin (hCG)
hormone which maintains
corpus luteum in the
absence of FSH & LH for
the first trimester.
Eventually the placenta
will produce sufficient
estrogen & progesterone to
sustain the pregnancy.

hCG

Mitosis
Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Mitosis
Anaphase

Telophase

Interphase

46

46

Most cells of the body - growth, replacement, healing.

No change in the number of chromosomes within each cell.

Meiosis

46

Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Meiosis
23
23
Reduction Division
Anaphase

Telophase

Interphase

Meiosis

23

23

23

23

23

23

Only in gonads.
Synapsis & shuffling of genetic information providing variation.
Results in reduction of number of chromosomes by half (haploid).

Mitosis/Meiosis Comparison
46

46

23

46

46

23

23

23 23

23

Gametogenesis:
Process through which gametes
are formed

Spermatogenesis:

produces male
gametes (sperm)
occurs in the
seminiferous
tubules of the testes
involves meiosis
occurs throughout
life after puberty
may produce
400,000,000 per day

Oogenesis:
produces female
gametes (oocytes)
occurs in the ovaries
involves meiosis
occurs after puberty
until menopause
humans normally
produce one oocyte
during each ovarian
cycle

Oogenesis
Oogonium (46)
(Mitosis)
Primary Oocyte (46)

Primary Oocyte (46)

Oogenesis
Oogonium (46)
(Mitosis)

Polar Body (23)

Primary Oocyte (46)

(Meiosis 1)
Secondary Oocyte (23)
Fertilization
(Meiosis 2)

Ovulation

Preembryonic Development

Bone Formation

Definitions & Functions

Zygote:
A fertilized ovum which is diploid.
Cleavage Divisions:
Mitotic divisions of the zygote to increase the number and
surface area of cells in a preembryo (2 cell, 4 cell, 8 cell, etc.)

Morula:
A berry shaped cluster of preembryonic cells
produced from cleavage divisions .

Definitions & Functions

Blastocyst:
A fluid filled sphere of cells formed from
the morula which implants in the
endometrium.
Inner Cell Mass:
A group of cells inside of the blastocyst from
which the three primary germ layers will develop.

Trophoblast:
One of the cells making up the outer wall of the
blastocyst which will form the chorion.

Definitions & Functions

Chorionic Villi:
Finger-like growths of the trophoblasts into
the endometrium to form the placenta.

Definitions & Functions

Chorion:
Outermost embryonic membrane which forms the
placenta & produces human chorionic gonadotropin.

Definitions & Functions

Amnion:
Membrane which surrounds embryo to form the
amniotic cavity & produces amniotic fluid.

Definitions & Functions

Amnionic Fluid:
Protects fetus from trauma & permits free
movement without adhesion.

Definitions & Functions

Yolk Sack:
Provides initial nutrients, supplies earliest RBCs
and seeds the gonads with primordial germ cells.

Gastrulation
Preembryo becomes embryo as
three primary germ layers form.

Prembryo

Embryo

Ectoderm Derivatives
Brain, spinal cord, nerves
Cornea & lens of eyes
Outer skin & accessory structures
hair
nails

Enamel of teeth
Linings of nasal & oral cavities & anal
canal

Endoderm Derivatives
Epithelial lining of digestive tract
Liver and pancreas
Epithelial lining of respiratory tract &
tonsils
Epithelial lining of reproductive ducts &
glands
Thyroid, parathyroid & thymus glands
Epithelial lining of bladder & urethra

Mesoderm Derivatives
Muscle:
skeletal, cardiac & smooth
Connective tissues:
cartilage,
bone, adipose
Bone marrow, blood & lymphatic
tissues
Endothelial linings of blood &
lymphatic vessels
Visceral peritoneum of organs in
ventral cavity
Fibrous & vascular tunics of eyes
Organs of urogenital system:
kidneys, gonads & reproductive ducts

Placental Function

Minerals Glucose
O Vitamins
2

Placental Function

Alcohol

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Prenatal & postnatal growth
retardation
CNS involvement:
neurological abnormalities
developmental delays

Alcohol related birth defects

Mental retardation
Speech & hearing impairment
Learning, attention & memory
deficits

Placental Function

Urea

CO2

Wastes

Placental Function Smoking

CO CO
2

O2

Nicoti
ne

Smoking During
Pregnancy

Increases risk of ectopic pregnancy

Doubles risk of placenta previa &
abruptio placenta
Slows fetal development
Doubles risk of low birthweight
babies
Increases risk of preterm deliveries
Increases risk of cleft palate & lip
Doubles risk of sudden infant
death syndrome (SIDS)

Drug Use

Antibiotics Nicotine
Crack

Irradiation
High-energy
X-rays
Gamma rays

Penetrate deeply into tissues

causing ionization of molecules.
May directly or indirectly affect the
genetic material resulting in point
mutations (affecting a single base).
May break chromosomes causing
deletions or translocation of
genetic information.

Blastocoele
Blastocyst
(cross
section)

Becomes amniotic sac

Spermatozoa

Morula
Cleavage

Inner cell mass

Ovum
(cross
section)

Destined to
become fetus

Fertilization
Trophoblast
Accomplishes
implantation
and develops
into fetal
portions of
placenta

Secondary
oocyte
(ovum)
Ovulation
Ovary
Implantation
Endometrium
of uterus

Hormonal Secretion by the Placenta

Extra-Embryonic
Visceral Mesoderm

Hemangloblast

Extra-Embryonic
Somatic Mesoderm

Extra-Embryonic
Visceral Mesoderm

Hemangloblast

Hemangloblast

Angloblasts

Angloblasts

Angloblasts

Anglogenic

Anglogenic
Cell Clusters

Anglogenic
Cell Clusters

Cell Clusters

Central

Peripheral

Angloblast
s

Angloblast
s

Primitive

Endothelia
l

Blood Cells

Cells

Central
Angloblasts

Peripheral
Angloblast
s
Endothelial

Primitive
Blood
Cells

Cells

Small Blood
Vessels
Yolk Sac
Vasculature

Umbilical
Vessels

Central
Angloblasts

Primitive
Blood Cells

Peripheral
Angloblast
s
Endothelial
Cells

Small Blood

Small Blood

Vessels

Vessels

Chorionic Villi
Vasculature

Feto-Plasental
Circulatory System

Embryo
Vasculature

Abnormal placentation in preeclampsia. Exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the fetus and the
mother depends on adequate placental perfusion by maternal vessels. In normal placental development, invasive
cytotrophoblasts of fetal origin invade the maternal spiral arteries, transforming them from small-caliber resistance vessels
to high-caliber capacitance vessels capable of providing placental perfusion adequate to sustain the growing fetus.
During the process of vascular invasion, the cytotrophoblasts differentiate from an epithelial phenotype to an endothelial
phenotype, a process referred to as "pseudovasculogenesis" (upper panel). In preeclampsia, cytotrophoblasts fail to
adopt an invasive endothelial phenotype. Instead, invasion of the spiral arteries is shallow and they remain small caliber,
resistance vessels (lower panel). This may result in the placental ischemia.

The blue arrows designate the

sequence of events leading to
the onset of parturition.
The green arrows designate
the positive-feedback cycle
responsible for the progression
of parturition.

Uterine
contractions

Push fetus
against cervix

Responsible for
progression of
parturition

(through
neuroendocrine
reflex)

Oxytocin
secretion

Prostaglandin
production

Fetalpositionbeforeparturitionbegins

cervicaldilation(to10cm)
positionrotates(breechpositions)
beginsmanydaysbeforeparturition
backaches,frequentbowelmovements
restlessness
mucusplugpasses
amnioticsacbreaks
contractionsgetmoreintense&more
frequent

expulsion/birth
crowning
babyiscoveredinvernix
umbilicalcordiscut
healthevaluation
antibioticsplacedineyes

Stage #3: Delivery of

Placenta
Usually within 5-30 min of birth

Placenta
Umbilical cord

Partially dilated cervix

First stage of labor:
Cervical dilation

Uterus
Second stage of labor:
Delivery of the baby

Third stage of labor:

Delivery of the placenta