OOGENESIS AND OVARIAN

CYCLE
Dr. Nazish Waheed
Learning objectives
By the end of this session my first year students will be able to:
• Describe the process of oogenesis
• Discuss the ovarian and uterine cycle
• Analyze and compare the steps of ovarian and uterine cycle
Oogenesis
• Ovarian follicles
1.PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLES
- primary oocyte
- follicular cells
2. GROWING FOLLICLE
- primary follicles
- secondary follicles
- graffian follicle
Comparison of male and female gametogenesis
 Female Reproductive Cycles

• At puberty, female begins to undergo regular monthly cycles involving

hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries, uterus, and mammary glands.
These are the rhythmic changes in the ovary and uterus during the female
fertility period.

These cycles occur approximately every 28 days.

1. Menstrual Cycles (changes in the mucosa of the uterus)

2. Ovarian cycles (changes in the ovaries)

Hormonal Regulation of Reproductive Cycle
• GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE
(GNRH)

secreted by the hypothalamus, controls the

female reproductive cycle.

• Stimulates anterior pituitary to secrete Follicle

Stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Luteinizing Hormone

(LH)
 FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

FSH & LH target the ovaries and

drive the ovarian cycle (monthly
changes in the ovary).
Estrogens and progesterone from the
ovaries drive the uterine cycle
(monthly changes in the uterus)
Ovarian cycle

• Average 28 days

• normally interrupted by menstrual cycle

• Finally terminated by menopause

Phases of Ovarian Cycle
• Follicular Phase
• FSH from anterior pituitary
stimulates follicle growth.
• Follicular growth is characterized
by
a) Growth and proliferation of
primary oocyte
b) Proliferation of follicular cells
c) Formation of zona pellucida
d) Development of theca folliculi
cells
• Follicles grow from pre antral
follicle to Graafian (mature)
follicle.
• Granulosa cells of follicle secrete
estrogens and inhibin.
• Increasing levels of estrogens
and inhibin inhibit FSH.
• Increasing estrogens also
stimulates secretion of LH
 Ovulation

• Ovulation occurs around

mid cycle about 14th day in a
28 day menstrual cycle.
• UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF FSH &
LH
• sudden growth spurt of Ovarian
follicle to a diameter of app. 25 mm.
• LH surge causes primary oocyte to
complete meiosis I and follicle enters
preovulatory mature vesicular stage.
Meiosis II is also initiated, but the
oocyte is arrested in metaphase
approximately 3 hours before
ovulation.
• Ovarian surface bulges & an avascular

spot appears on this swelling called Stigma

• pressure of follicular fluid Increases

• LH increases collagenase activity, resulting

in digestion of collagen fibers

• Prostaglandin levels increase and cause

local muscular contractions in the ovarian

wall.
Those contractions extrude the
oocyte, with surrounding granulosa
cells from the region of the
cumulus oophorus breaks free
(ovulation) and floats out of the
ovary .
Some of the cumulus oophorus
cells then rearrange themselves
around the zona pellucida to form
the corona radiata
 Corpus Luteum

• After ovulation, granulosa cells

together with theca interna cells

are vascularized by surrounding
vessels
• Accumulates yellowish pigment

and changes into lutein cells

which forms corpus luteum
 Corpus Luteum

• Secretes Estrogen and

Progesterone
• Helps uterine mucosa to enter

progestational or secretory stage

in preparation for implantation of
embryo
Fate Of Corpus Luteum

IF FERTILIZATION DOES NOT TAKE

PLACE,
corpus luteum reaches maximum
development 9 days after ovulation.

Subsequently, corpus luteum shrinks

because of degeneration of lutean
cells (luteolysis) and forms fibrotic
scar tissue, CORPUS ALBICANS.

Simultaneously, progesterone
production decreases, precipitating
menstrual bleeding
• IF THE OOCYTE IS FERTILIZED,

degeneration of corpus luteum is prevented

by human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG)
secreted by syncytiotrophoblast of the
developing embryo.
• corpus luteum continues to grow and forms

corpus luteum of pregnancy (corpus

luteum graviditatis). Till end of fourth
month
• After this placenta take over this role
assessment

• Q1. write down the phases of ovarian cycle and hormones

controlling it
 Anatomy of the Uterus

• Site of menstruation & development of

fetus
• Description

• 3 inches long by 2 in. Wide and 1 in.

Thick
• Subdivided into fundus, body & cervix

• Interiorly contains uterine cavity accessed

by cervical canal
 Layers of Uterus
• Endometrium
• Simple columnar epithelium
• Stroma of connective tissue and
endometrial glands
• Functional layer, sheds during
menstruation
• Basal layer, replaces functional
layer each month
• Myometrium
• 3 layers of smooth muscle

• Perimetrium
• Visceral peritoneum
Menstural Cycle/ Uterine Cycle

• It is the cyclic changes occurring in the endometrium

every ~28 days.

• Starts at puberty till menopause

• It is under the control of ovarian hormones.

 Phases of Menstrual Cycle

• Menstrual Phase

• Follicular/Proliferative Phase

• Luteal Phase

• Ischemic Phase
 Menstrual Phase

• Starts with 1st day of menstrual cycle

• Lasts for 4-5 days

•Functional layer of uterine wall is
sloughed off and discarded with the
menstrual flow

•Blood discharge from vagina is

combined with small pieces of
endometrial tissue
 Proliferative Phase
• phase of repair and proliferation

• Lasts for 9 days

• Coincides with growth of ovarian follicle

• Controlled by estrogen secreted by

follicles
• 2-3 fold increase in thickness of

endometrium
• Glands increase in number and length

and the spiral arteries elongate

 Luteal Phase
• secretory or progesterone phase

• Lasting about 13 days

• Coincides with growth of corpus

luteum
• Glandular epithelium secrete

glycogen rich material

 Luteal Phase

• Endometrium thickens under the influence of

estrogen and progesterone

• Spiral arteries grow into the superficial layer

• Arteries become increasingly coiled

• Large venous network develops

• Direct arterio-venous anastomoses are the

prominent features
 If Fertilization Occurs

• Fertilized ovum implants in

endometrium on about 6th day of this

phase
• HCG hormone secreted by

syncytiotrophoblast keeps the corpus

luteum secreting estrogen and
progesterone
• The luteal phase continues and

menstruation does not occur

 Pregnancy Phase

• endometrium passes into the pregnancy phase

• Menstruation cycle resumes 6-10 weeks after the

termination of pregnancy.

• Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 48-55.

 If Fertilization Doesn’t Occur
• No HCG

• Corpus luteum degenerates

• Estrogen and progesterone levels

fall

• Secretory endometrium enters an

ischemic phase

• Menstruation occurs
 Ischemic Phase
• Decreased levels of estrogen & progesterone

• Stoppage of glandular secretion

• Loss of interstitial fluid

• Marked shrinking of endometrium

• Spiral arteries become constricted

• Venous stasis & Ischemic necrosis

• Rupture of damaged vessel wall

• Blood seeps into the surrounding connective

tissues
 Negative Feedback Controls Cycle
• If no pregnancy
• Increasing levels of progesterone cause
negative feedback that inhibits LH secretion
• After about two weeks corpus luteum
atrophies to corpus albicans (white body)
• Progesterone and estrogen levels decline
• Functional layer of endometrium discharged
into first five days of next cycle
 Positive Feedback

• During days 12–14, estrogen

provides positive feedback to the

hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
This causes a rapid rise in the
production of estrogen by the
ovaries and leads to ovulation.
Summary of Ovarian and Menstrual Cycles cycle without fertilization
Changes in uterine mucosa and corresponding changes in
the ovary during pregnancy
assessment
• Q2. what is positive and negative feedback mechanism of female reproductive
cycles?
 Menstrual Abnormalities
• Amenorrhea = absence of menstruation
• Caused by hormone imbalance, extreme weight loss or low body fat as
with rigorous athletic training
• Dysmenorrhea = pain associated with menstruation
• Severe enough to prevent normal functioning
• Caused by uterine tumors, ovarian cysts, endometriosis or intrauterine
devices
• Abnormal uterine bleeding = excessive amount or duration of
menstrual bleeding
• Caused by fibroid tumors or hormonal imbalance
• Second meiotic division of ovum is completed:
• A. Before birth
• B. Just before ovulation
• C. At ovulation
• D. At fertilization
• E. Cleavage of zygote
• The corpus luteum of menstruation:
• A. Is a solid exocrine organ
• B. Secretes Luteinizing Hormone
• C. Is a component of menstrual flow
• D. Regresses on 20th day of menstrual cycle
• E. Transforms into a fibrous tissue, if fertilization fails
• During spermatogenesis, which of the following cells undergo second meiotic
division
• Spermatogonia
• Primary spermatocytes
• Secondary spermatocytes
• Spermatids
• Sperms