PROLIFERATIVE PHASE

- Follicular-phase estradiol production: is the most important factor in endometrial

recovery/regrowth following menstruation, and both Era and ERb are expressed at the
endometrium

SECRETORY PHASE
- After ovulation, the estrogen-primed endometrium responds to rising progesterone
levels
- D 17, glycogen accumulates in the basal portion of glandular epithelium, creating
subnuclear vacuoles & pseudostratification
- D 18, vacuoles move to the apical portion of the secretory nonciliated cells
- D 19, these cells begin to secrete glycoprotein and mucopolysaccharide contents into
the gland lumen
- D 21-24, the stroma becomes edematous: stromal cells surrounding the spiral arterioles
begin to enlarge + stromal mitosis

MENSTRUATION
- Spiral artery coiling  endometrial hypoxia  stasis  ischemia and degeneration
(dysmenorrhea: PGF2a)  rupture of spiral arterioles
- Intense spiral artery vasoconstriction and also serves to limit menstrual loss

MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Interval: 28 + 7 days
Menarche: 12 yo
Menopause: 45-55 yo
Day 1: 1st day of menstruation
Menstrual cycle intervals vary during her reproductive life
Age: 20-40 years (least variable)

HORMONES ORGAN SOURCE TARGET ORGAN FUNCTION

GnRH hypothalamus AP Stim sec of
gonadotropins
FSH AP ovaries Devt of a mature
follicle
LH AP ovaries Causes ovulation
Estrogen Ovaries (dom foll) Hypothalamus, AP, + fb, growth of
endometrium endometrium
Inhibin Ovaries (dom foll) AP - fb, inhibits FSH
secretion
Progesterone Ovaries (CL) endometrium Secretion of
endometrial glands,
counteracts estrogen