The Female Reproductive

System

By
Dr D Fisher
 Anatomy of Female
Reproductive System
• Female reproductive organs
– Ovaries
– Uterine tubes
– Uterus
– Vagina
– External genital organs
– Mammary glands
Female Reproductive Anatomy
Female Pelvis
Uterus, Vagina, Uterine Tubes, Ovaries and
Supporting Ligaments
 The Developing Follicle

• Atresia of all follicles but one

– One follicle develops faster
than the rest
– Starts to secrete estrogens:
• Enhances granulosa cell
proliferation
• Increase no. of FSH receptors
on granulosa cells
• Increase FSH effect on follicle
• Decrease secretion of FSH & LH
 Follicle and Oocyte
Development
• Oogenesis is the • Primary follicle becomes
production of a secondary secondary follicle and
oocyte in ovaries enlarges to form mature or
graafian follicle
• Oogonia are cells from – Usually only one is
which oocytes develop ovulated, others degenerate
• Primary oocytes are • Primary oocyte completes
surround by granulosa first meiotic division to
cells and called a produce secondary oocyte
and a polar body
primordial follicle
• Secondary oocyte begins
• Primordial follicle second meiotic division,
becomes a primary follicle which stops in metaphase
when oocyte enlarges II
and cells change
Ovary Histology
Maturation of Follicle and
Oocyte
 Ovulation and Follicle Fate
• Ovulation • Fate of the follicle
– Follicle swells and – Graafian follicle
ruptures, secondary become corpus luteum
oocyte is released – If fertilization occurs,
from ovary corpus luteum persists
– Second meiotic – If no fertilization,
division completed becomes corpus
when secondary albicans
oocyte unites with
sperm cell to form
zygote
 Functions of FSH
1. Stimulates growth and maturation of
ovarian follicles: Primary to mature
Graafian follicle.
2. Theca interna: secretion of estrogen
(follicular stage)
3. Granulosa cells: Secretion of
progesterone (luteal stage)
 Functions of LH
1. Initially supports the stimulatory effect of
FSH.
2. Imperative for ovulation to occur (day 14).
3. LH causes the granulosa cells to form
lutein cells (luteinization) which forms the
corpus luteum.
4. Lutein cells secrete estrogen and
progesterone.
5. Lutein cells: proliferation→enlargement
→secretion →degeneration.
Maturation and Fertilization
of Oocyte
 Puberty and Menstrual Cycle
• Menstrual Cycle
• Puberty – About 28 days long
– Begins with menarche – Phases
or first episode of • Menses
menstrual bleeding • Proliferative phase
– Begins when GnRH • Secretory phase
levels increase • Menses
– Amenorrhea: Absence
of a menstrual cycle
– Menopause:
Cessation of
menstrual cycles
Menstrual Cycle
Hormone Regulation during
Menstrual Cycle
 Proliferative Phase (estrogen phase)

1. Increase concentration of estrogens

secreted by ovaries.
2. Stromal and epithelial cells proliferate
rapidly.
3. Increase growth of glands & B/Vs into
endometrium.
4. At the time of ovulation→endometrium
3mm thick.
 Secretory Phase (progesterone Phase)

1. Increase secretions of estrogen and

progesterone from the corpus luteum.
2. Progesterone causes:
• Marked swelling of the endometrium.
• Increased secretory development.
• Increase nutritional content of stromal cells
• Increase gland tortutosity
3. Endometrium thickness: 6mm.
 Menstrual Phase
1. Day 26 → degeneration of corpus luteum →
2. decrease levels of blood estrogen and
progesterone:
• Decrease stimulation of endometrial cells
• Involution of endometrium (by 65%).
• Bld vessels become vasoplastic (constrict)
• Necrosis of endometrium
• All superficial layers of endometrium desquamated
(broken down)
• Uterine wall contracts →expels contents:
• 35ml blood
• 35ml serous fluid
• Ps.: Fibrolysin prevents clotting