FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

CARINA C. GOMEZ, M.D.

Characteristics of Female
Reproductive System
it exhibits restricted periods of fertility
it exhibits cyclic changes in hormonal
activity
gamete production does not occur all
throughout life
length of the reproductive cycle is
variable
Female Reproductive Functions

Two major phases

Preparation of the female body for

conception and pregnancy

Period of pregnancy itself

Female Hormonal System
Three hierarchies of hormones
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
(GnRH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Leutenizing Hormone (LH)
Estrogen
Progesterone
 Functional Anatomy
TWO BASIC COMPONENTS
I. GONADS
Ovaries
II. REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
A. INTERNAL GENITALIA
Uterus
Fallopian tubes (oviducts)
Cervix
Vagina
B. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
Labia majora
Labia minora
Mons pubis
Clitoris
 Two Most basic Components
Gonads (Ovaries)
perform endocrine function
(secretion of gonadal
hormones)
regulated within Hypothalamic
Pituitary- Gonadal Axis)
dependent on FSH and LH
perform exocrine function
(gametogenesis)
distinct characteristics of
reproductive system
OVARIES

MEDULLA

CORTEX
 Two Most basic Components
Reproductive tract
(Internal and External
Genitalia)
involved in gamete
development, function
and transport.
allows fertilization,
implantation and
gestation.
 Functions of the Fallopian tubes
a.k.a uterine tubes or oviducts
capture the cumulus oocyte
complex during ovulation
(ampulla-isthmus junction
its secretion coat the complex intramural

(viability and fertilizability) and

induce capacitation and
hyperactivity of sperm
provide site for sperm storage
secretions provide nutritional
support to embryo
 Functions of the Uterus
assist the movement of sperm from
vagina to the oviducts.
provide suitable site for attachment
and implantation of blastocyst.
limit the invasiveness of implanting
intramural
embryo.
provide maternal side of the mature
placental architecture.
grow and expands with the growing
fetus.
provide strong muscular contraction
LH secretion - high frequency FSH secretion - low frequency
GnRH pulses GnRH pulses

CHILDHOOD no FSH/LH
9 to 12 y/o begins to secrete
FSH/LH

(-) PUBERTY

(-) (-)

inhibin MENARCHE
(11 15 y/o)
 Female Monthly Sexual
Cycle

Average 28
days
short 20 days
Ovaria long 45 days
n Cycle

Reproductive
years
13 46 years
Uterine
Cycle
 OVARIAN FOLLICLES

functional unit of
the ovary.
perform gametogenic
and endocrine
functions
OOGENESIS

Occurs during the follicular phase

30th week of gestation 6 7 million ova
At birth - 2 million ova
At puberty - 300,000 400,000 ova
400 500 ova develops during
reproductive years (13 46 y/o) between
menarhe and menopause
MENOPAUSE - < 1,000 primordial follicles are left in the ovary

REPRODUCTIVE LIFE SPAN

- determined by fixed and finite number of follicular reserve
and rate of development of follicles
- depends on the normal ovarian reserve (maintained by FSH and LH)
Ovarian Cycle
 FOLLICULAR PHASE
ZONA PELLUCIDA
- provides species specific
binding site for sperm
- due to ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3
PRIMORDIAL secreted
FOLLICLEby the developing
oocyte

EARLY ANTRAL FOLLICLE

PREANTRL FOLLICLE

PRIMARY FOLLICLE

SECONDARY FOLLICLE
LARGE ANTRAL FOLLICLE
MATURE GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE
 Endocrine Function of Preantral Follicle

Granulosa Cells
express of FSH receptors
do not produce ovarian hormones in
this stage
analogous to Sertoli cells
Theca Cells
express LH receptors and secrete
androgen (androstenedione)
analogous to Leydig cells but do not
express high levels of 17 - HSD
 Endocrine Function of Antral Follicle

Granulosa Cells
convert androgens (testosterone and
androstenedione) to estrogen
(estradiol)
dependent on FSH (proliferation and
expression of CYP 19 or aromatase)
secrete inhibin B
20 antral follicles
Theca Cells (prolifera quota
produce significant amount of
androstenedione and testosterone
SECRETION OF OVARIAN HORMONES
(Follicular Phase)
 Periovulatory Period

time from the onset of LH surge to expulsion of

cumulus-oocyte complex (ovulation)
lasts for 32 to 36 hours
OVULATION
PRIMORDIAL
FOLLICLE
PRIMARY

FOLLICL
E

FOLLICULAR
PHASE

SECONDARY
LARGE FOLLICLE
ANTRAL
FOLLICLE

EARLY ANTRAL
FOLLICLE
 OVULATION
LEUTENIZING HORMONE

LH SURGE (Progesterone)

PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES FOLLICULAR HYPEREMIA /

(COLLAGENASE) (Granulosa PROSTAGLANDIN SECRETION
and Theca Cells)

WEAKENED FOLLICLE WALL (STIGMA) PLASMA TRANSUDATION

INTO FOLLICLE

DEGENERATION OF STIGMA
FOLLICLE SWELLING

FOLLICLE RUPTURE

EVAGINATION OF OVUM
 Changes During Periovulatory Period

large mature follicle presses against

ovarian surface
formation of stigma
release of inflammatory cytokines and
hydrolytic enzymes (granulosa and
theca cells).
degeneration of attachment between
mural and cumulus granulosa cells
release of hyaluronic acid and
extracellular matrix components
(cumulus cells) -- cumulus expansion