Physiology of Female Reproductive System

1. V.S.Rashmi Priyem
ULTRA’S BEST Dental Science College

2.  Comprises Primary Sex Organs andAccessory
Sex Organs.

3. Are a Pair of Ovaries, which Produce Eggs or Ova and Secrete Female Sex
Hormones, the Estrogen and Progesterone.

4.  Ovaries are FlattenedOvoid Bodies with
Dimensions of 4 cm in Length, 2 cm inWidth
and 1 cm inThickness.
 On Cross Section, each Ovary showsTwo
Zones:
 1. Medulla
 2. Cortex

5.  Otherwise known as Zona vasculosa.
 Inner Portion of the Ovary.
 Has the Stroma of Loose ConnectiveTissues.
 Contains BloodVessels, Lymphatics, Nerve
Fibers and Bundles of Smooth Muscle Fibers
near the Hilum.

7.  Outer Broader Portion.
 Has Compact Cellular Layers.
 Cortex is lined by the Germinal Epithelium underneath a Fibrous
Layer known asTunica albuginea.
 Cortex consists of Ovarian Follicles at Different Stages, Connective
Tissue and Interstitium.
 In the Intrauterine Life, the Outer Part of Cortex contains Germinal
Epithelium, which is derived from the Germinal Ridges.
 When the Fetus develops, the Germinal Epithelium gives rise to a
Number of Primordial Ova.
 The Primordial Ova move towards the Inner Substance of Cortex.
 A layer of Granulosa Cells from the Ovarian Stroma surround the
Ova.
 The Primordial Ovum along with Granulosa Cells is called the
Primordial Follicle.

9.  At 7th or 8th Month of Intrauterine Life, about 6 million
Primordial Follicles are found in the Ovary.
 At the time of Birth, only 1 million Primordial Follicles are
seen in Both the Ovaries and, the Rest of the Follicles
Degenerate.
 At theTime of Puberty, the Number Decreases further to
about 3,00,000 to 4,00,000.
 After Menarche, during every Menstrual Cycle, one of the
Follicles Matures and Releases its Ovum.
 During Every Menstrual cycle, only One Ovum is Released
from Any One of the Ovaries.
 During Every Cycle, many of the Follicles Degenerate and
become Atretic Follicles which Disappear without leaving
any Scar.

11.  1. Secretion of Female Sex Hormones
 2. Oogenesis
 3. Menstrual Cycle

13.  1. A System of Genital Ducts that includes
FallopianTubes, Uterus, Cervix andVagina.
 2. External Genitalia which are Labia majora,
Labia minora and Clitoris.
 The Mammary Glands.

14.  A Hollow Muscular Organ with aThickWall.
 It lies in the Pelvic Cavity in between Rectum and Urinary bladder on
its Posterior Side.
 The Central Cavity of Uterus opens intoVagina throughCervix.
 On Either Side at its Upper Part, the FallopianTubes Open.
 Uterus communicates with Peritoneal Cavity through FallopianTubes.
 The Dome-Shaped Part of the Body is known as the Fundus.
 There is a Constriction almost at the Middle of Uterus called Isthmus.
 It Divides the Uterus intoTwo Portions:
 1. Portion above the Isthmus called Body of Uterus.
 2. Portion below the Isthmus called Cervix.

16.  Uterus is made up of 3 Layers:
 1. Outer Serous Layer derived from Peritoneum
 2. Middle Muscular Layer or Myometrium made
up of Smooth Muscle Fibers
 3. Inner Mucus Layer or Endometrium made up of
Ciliated Columnar Epithelial Cells, Connective
Tissue and Uterine Glands

17.  Cervix is the Lower Constricted Part of
Uterus.
 It is Divided intoTwo Portions:
 1. Upper Supravaginal Portion which
communicates with Body of Uterus through
Internal Os (Orifice) of Cervix.
 2. LowerVaginal Portion which
communicates withVagina through External
Os (Orifice) of Cervix.

19.  A ShortTubular Organ.
 Lined by Mucous Membrane which is formed
by Stratified EpithelialCells.

21.  Ovary secretes
 Female Sex Hormones
▪ Estrogen
▪ Progesterone
 Inhibin
 Relaxin
 Androgens(Small Amts.)

23.  In a Normal Non-pregnant Female, Estrogen is
secreted in Large Quantity byTheca interna Cells of
Ovarian Follicles and in Small Quantity by Corpus
luteum of the Ovaries.
 A Small Quantity of Estrogen is also Secreted by
Adrenal Cortex.
 In Pregnancy, a Large Amount of Estrogen is secreted
by the Placenta.
 Estrogen is a C18 Steroid and it is present inThree
forms in Plasma:
 1. β Estradiol
 2. Estrone
 3. Estriol

24.  The Quantity and Potency of β Estradiol are
more than those of Estrone and Estriol.
 The Plasma Level of Estrogen in Females at
Normal Reproductive Age varies during
Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle.
 In Follicular Phase, In Normal Adult
 Female Estrogen Level is 30 to 200 pg/mL.
 Male Estrogen Level is 12 to 34 pg/mL.

25.  Promote Cellular Proliferation andTissue
Growth in the Sexual Organs and in other
Tissues related to Reproduction.

27.  Promotes the Growth of Ovarian Follicles by
increasing the Proliferation of the Follicular
Cells.
 Increases the Secretory Activity of Theca
cells.

28.  i. Enlargement of Uterus (Double-Childhood
Size) by the Proliferation of Endometrial
Cells.
 ii. Increase in the Blood Supply to
Endometrium.
 iii. Deposition of Glycogen and Fats in
Endometrium.

29.  iv. Proliferation and Dilatation of Blood vessels
of Endometrium.
 v. Proliferation and Dilatation of the
Endometrial Glands.
 vi. Increase in the Spontaneous Activity of the
Uterine Muscles and their Sensitivity to
Oxytocin.
 vii. Increase in the Contractility of the Uterine
Muscles due to Increase inActomyosin
Concentration.

30.  i. Acts on the Mucosal Lining of the Fallopian
Tubes and Increases the Number and Size of the
Epithelial Cells, especially the Ciliated Epithelial
Cells lining the FallopianTubes.
 ii. Increases the Activity of the Cilia, Movement of
the Ovum in the FallopianTube is Facilitated.
 iii. Enhances the Proliferation of GlandularTissues
in FallopianTubes.

31.  i. Changes theVaginal Ep. from Cuboidal into
Stratified.
 The Stratified Ep. is More Resistant toTrauma and
Infection
 ii. Increases the Layers of theVaginal Epithelium
by Proliferation.
 iii. Reduces the pH ofVagina making it More
Acidic.
 Necessary for Prevention of Vaginal Infections such
as Gonorrheal vaginitis.
 Infections can be Cured by Administration of
Estrogen.

32.  i. Hair Distribution:
 Hair develops in the Pubic Region and Axilla.
 Body Hair Growth is Less.
 Scalp Hair Grows Profusely.
 ii. Skin:
 Renders Softness and Smoothness to the Skin.
 Increases theVascularity of the Skin.
 iii. Body Shape:
 Shoulders become Narrow, Hip Broadens,Thighs Converge and Arms
Diverge.
 iv. Pelvis:
 Broadening of Pelvis with IncreasedTransverse Diameter.
 v.Voice:
 The Larynx remains in Prepubertal Stage, which produces High Pitch
Voice.

33.  Causes:
 i. Development of StromalTissues of Breasts
 ii.Growth of an Extensive Ductile System
 iii. Deposition of Fat in the Ductile System
 All these Effects prepare the Breasts for
Lactation.

34.  Estrogen increases Osteoblastic Activity.
 At theTime of Puberty, the Growth Rate Increases
enormously.
 At the SameTime, Estrogen causes Early Fusion of the
Epiphysis with the Shaft.
 This Effect is Much Stronger in the Females than that of
Testosterone in Males.
 Growth of the Females Ceases Earlier than in the Males.
 In Old Age, the Estrogen is Not Secreted or it Becomes
Scanty.
 It leads to Osteoporosis in which the Bones become Extremely
Weak and Fragile.
 The Bones are Highly Susceptible for Fractures.

36.  i. On Protein Metabolism:
 Estrogen induces Anabolism of Proteins by which
it Increases theTotal Body Protein.
 ii. On Fat Metabolism:
 Estrogen causes Deposition of Fat in the
SubcutaneousTissues, Breasts, Buttocks and
Thighs.

37.  Estrogen causes Sodium andWater Retention
from the RenalTubules.
 This Effect is Normally Insignificant but in
Pregnancy, it becomes More Significant.

38.  Estrogen Acts through Genes.

39.  The Secretion of Estrogen is regulated by FSH
released from Anterior Pituitary.
 The Release of FSH is stimulated by
Gonadotropic Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
secreted from Hypothalamus.
 FSH stimulates the SecretoryActivities ofTheca
and Granulosa Cells.
 Estrogen inhibits Secretion of FSH and GnRH by
Negative Feedback.
 Inhibin secreted by Granulosa Cells Decreases
Estrogen Secretion by Inhibiting Secretion of
FSH and GnRH.

42.  Small Quantity of Progesterone is secreted
byTheca interna Cells of Ovaries during
Follicular Stage.
 Large Quantity of Progesterone is secreted
during Secretory Phase by the Corpus
luteum.
 SmallAmount of Progesterone is secreted
from Adrenal Cortex also.

43.  During Pregnancy,
 LargeAmount of Progesterone is secreted by the
Corpus luteum in the FirstTrimester.
 In the SecondTrimesterCorpus luteum Degenerates.
 Placenta secretes LargeQuantity of Progesterone in
Second andThirdTrimesters.
 Progesterone is a C21 Steroid.
 In Follicular Phase, In Normal Adult
 Female Progesterone Lvl is 0.9 ng/mL.
 Male Progesterone Lvl is 0.3 ng/mL.

44.  Concerned mainly with the Final Preparation
of
 The Uterus for Pregnancy.
 The Breasts for Lactation.

46.  Progesterone promotes Secretory Activities
of Mucosal Lining of the FallopianTubes.
 The Secretions of FallopianTubes are
necessary for Nutrition of the FertilizedOvum
Since it is in FallopianTube before
Implantation.

47.  i. Increases theThickness of the Endometrium by
Increasing the Number and Size of the Cells.
 ii. Increases the Size of Uterine Glands.
 iii. Increases SecretoryActivities of Epithelial Cells of
Uterine Glands.
 iv. Increases the Deposition of Lipid and Glycogen in
the Stromal Cells of Endometrium .
 v. Increases the Blood Supply to Endometrium.
 vi. Decreases the Frequency of Uterine Contractions
during Pregnancy.
▪ Because of this, the Expulsion of the Implanted Ovum is
Prevented.

48.  Progesterone IncreasesThickness of Cervical
Mucosa and thereby InhibitsTransport of
Sperm into Uterus.
 This Effect is Utilized in the Contraceptive
Actions of Mini Pills.

49.  Progesterone Promotes the Development of
the Lobules andAlveoli of the Mammary
Glands by Proliferating and Enlarging the
Alveolar Cells.
 It makes the Breasts Secretory in Nature.
 It makes the Breasts to Swell by Increasing
the Secretory Activity and FluidAccumulation
in the SubcutaneousTissue.

51.  Progesterone Inhibits the Release of LH from
Hypothalamus through Feedback Effect.
 This Effect is Utilized for its Contraceptive
Action.

52.  Progesterone Increases the Body
TemperatureAfter Ovulation.
 It is Suggested that Progesterone Increases
the BodyTemperature by Acting on
HypothalamicCenters forTemperature
Regulation.

53.  During Luteal Phase of Menstrual Cycle and
During Pregnancy, Progesterone Increases
theVentilation via RespiratoryCenter.
 Results in Decreased PCO2 in the Alveoli.

54.  Progesterone Increases Reabsorption of
Sodium andWater from the RenalTubules.
 Progesterone in Large Doses causes
Excretion of Sodium andWater.
 This may be Due to an Indirect Effect, i.e.
Progesterone Combines with the Same
Receptors, which Bind withAldosterone.
 The Action of Aldosterone is Blocked leading
to Excretion of Sodium andWater.

55.  Progesterone Acts through Genes.

56.  LH from Anterior Pituitary activates the
Corpus luteum to Secrete Progesterone.
 Secretion of LH is influenced by the
Gonadotropic Releasing Hormone secreted in
Hypothalamus.
 Progesterone inhibits Release of LH from
Anterior Pituitary by Negative Feedback.

58.  Climacteric is the Period in Old Age when
Reproductive System undergoes Changes
due to the Decreased Secretion of Sex
Hormones, Estrogen and Progesterone.
 It Occurs at the Age of 45 to 55Years.
 In Females, Climacteric is accompanied by
Menopause.

59.  Menopause is defined as the Period
characterized by the Permanent Cessation of
Menstruation.
 It Occurs at the Age of 45 to 55Years.

60.  Group of Symptoms thatAppear inWomen
ImmediatelyAfter Menopause.
 Symptoms Appear Soon after the Ovaries
Stop Functioning.
 Cause - Lack of Estrogen and Progesterone.
 BestWorkingTreatment is Psychotherapy.
 If it Fails, Hormone ReplacementTherapy is
Given.