Hormonal effect on female reproduction

1. Menstrual Cycle & Hormonal Effect on
Female Reproduction
Dr. Sara Sadiq
(MBBS, M.Phil)

2. Monthly Menstrual Cycle
1. Proliferative Phase (11 days)
2. Secretary Phase (12 days)
3. Menstrual Phase (5-7 days)

4. 1. Proliferative Phase
• Most of the endometrium has been desquamated by menstruation.
• Estradiol levels increase and cause proliferation of the uterus.
• Increasing numbers of stromal cells and to progressive growth of the
endometrial glands and new blood
• Progesterone levels are low.

5. 2. Secretary Phase
• Progesterone and estrogen together are secreted in large quantities
• Estrogens  additional cellular proliferation
• Progesterone  swelling and secretory development of the
endometrium
• Cervical mucus increases in quantity; it becomes less viscous and more
penetrable by sperm
• Vascularity and secretory activity of the endometrium increase to
prepare for receipt of a fertilized egg.
• Basal Uterine secretions, called “uterine milk,” provide nutrition for
the early dividing ovum

6. 3. Menstrual Phase
• The endometrium is sloughed because of the abrupt withdrawal
of estradiol and progesterone
• Vasospasm  decrease in nutrients to the endometrium, and the
loss of hormonal stimulation initiate necrosis in the endometrium
• The mass of desquamated tissue and blood in the uterine cavity,
plus contractile effects of prostaglandins, all acting together,
initiate uterine contractions that expel the uterine contents

11. Estrogen
1. Estradiol  Principle estrogen in premenopausal women
2. Estrone  1/3 the estrogenic potency of Estradiol
 Primary circulating estrogen after menopause
3. Estriol  significantly less potent than estradiol
 Present in significant amounts during pregnancy, because its
principal estrogen produced by placenta.

13. Physiological functions of Estrogen
• Developemnt of female reproductive tract
• Developemnt of female secondary sex characters
• Stimulation of proliferative phase of endometrium
• Vasodilation
• Cardioprotection
• Maintain integrity of skeleton in reproductive age

14. Estrogen Effect on Sex Organ
• Bring about pubertal changes in the female including growth of uterus,
fallopian tubes and vagina.
• Changes vaginal epithelium from cuboidal into stratified type
• Increase proliferation of glandular epithelium of fallopian tube and increasing
number of cilia towards uterus
• It stimulate the secretion of LH by direct action on pituitary as well as
through hypothalamus
• It enhances the rhythmic contraction of the fallopian tubes and uterus and
induce a watery alkaline secretion from the cervix.

15. Estrogen Effect on Skeleton
• Maintaining bone mass by retarding bone resorption  inhibit Osteoclast
• It controls the action of parathyroid hormone  maintain a positive calcium
balance.
• Osteoporosis in menopause  Increased osteoclastic activity
Decreased bone matrix
Decrease deposition of bone calcium & phosphate

16. Estrogen Metabolic Effect
• Increase body metabolism
• Protein deposition  Growth promoting effect
• Fat deposition  mainly in buttocks & thighs

17. • Cause salt and water retention  structurally similar to adrenocortical hormones
• Estrogens decrease plasma LDL cholesterol while HDL and triglycerides levels are
raised
• Blood coagulation is increased due to the formation of various clotting factors.
• It promotes vasodilation by induce secretion of nitric oxide synthase(NO) and
PGI2.

18. Estrogen
Degradation

19. Progesterone

21. Progesterone Degradation
Progesterone
Pregnanediol
Urine

22. Physiological Activity of Natural Estrogens
• Reproduction and development of female sex organs
• Growth of secondary sex characteristics (male + female)
• Role in ovulation and pregnancy
• Role in bone density modulation (male + female)
• Role in mineral, carbohydrate, protein and lipid
metabolism
Physiological Activity of Progesterone
• Maintenance of Pregnancy
• Inhibition of follicular maturation and ovulation
• Prevention of spontaneous uterine contractions