PHY3181 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Antral Follicle, Folliculogenesis, Corpus Luteum

• School: Monash University
• Department: Science - Physiology
• Course: PHY3181
• Professor: Renea Taylor

Document Summary

The hpg axis: hypothalamus gnrh synthesis, median eminence gnrh storage/release, portal blood vessels gnrh transport, anterior pituitary gnrh action, lh + fsh release into bloodstream, kisspeptin regulator of gnrh sensing. Ovary produces the hormones act on the endometrium. Main hormones = estradiol + progesterone (steroids), inhibin a + b (peptides) Hormone feedback to hpg axis: estradiol + progesterone feedback to hypothalamus, estradiol also feedback to anterior pituitary. But positive feedback required for ovulation. Inhibin a + b feedback to anterior pituitary. Don"t know how primordial follicles are recruited to become primary follicles but suggested to be a spontaneous event - independent of gnrh. Mature follicle ready for ovulation: estradiol , fsh, mature follicle acquires lh receptors to act on lh pulse to induce ovulation. After ovulation there a period called luteinisation: follicle that released egg becomes corpus luteum secretes progesterone (+ estrogen, needed to mature endometrium for implantation (if there was fertilisation)