1. What is the target tissue of ACTH and what does it do?
  2. Target tissue: adrenal cortex,
  3. controls the production and release of the sex steroids (estrogens, androgens and progesterone), the glucocorticoids and the mineralocorticoids
  4. What is the target tissue of TSH and what does it do?
  5. Target tissue: thyroid gland,
  6. controls production and release of thyroid hormones which control metabolic rate
  7. What is the target tissue of GH and what does it do?
  8. Target tissue: liver, musculature and skeleton
  9. affects growth rate
  10. What is the target tissue of MSH and what does it do?
  11. Target tissue: melanocytes,
  12. affects skin pigmentation
  13. What does BLPH do?
  14. precursor from which natural opiates like endorphins is produced
  15. What are the two functions of FSH?
  16. stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicles
  17. Works with LH to stimulate ovulation
  18. When is FSH most abundant in the menstrual cycle?
  19. At the beginning of the month
  20. at ovulation
  21. What does FSH do in men?
  22. Stimulates the production of sperm
  23. What are the four functions of LH?
  24. Stimulates estrogen production by the ovarian follicle
  25. Works with FSH to simulate ovulation
  26. Stimulates the formation of the corpus luteum
  27. Stimulates estrogen production by the corpus luteum
  28. When is LH most abundant in the menstrual cycle?
  29. At ovulation, but generally pretty present all throughout cycle
  30. What does LH do in men?
  31. Stimulates the production of testosterone
  32. When is progesterone most abundant in the menstrual cycle?
  33. During the postovulatory phase
  34. What are the two functions of Prolactin?
  35. Stimulates progesterone production by the corpus luteum
  36. Stimulates milk production by mammary glands
  37. Can a woman have excessively high or excessively low prolactin levels and still be fertile?
  38. Probably not
  39. What are the two hormones needed in breastfeeding and what are their functions?
  40. Oxytocin (produced by the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary) stimulates milk letdown
  41. Prolactin (produced in the anterior pituitary) stimulates the alveoli of the mammary glands to begin producing milk
  42. How is the hypothalamus related to the anterior pituitary?
  43. The hypothalamus produces hormones called releasing hormones that control the production and release of the tropic hormones by the anterior pituitary
  44. What are releasing hormones and what do they do?
  45. Releasing hormones are hormones produced in the hypothalamus which travel through the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal system to the anterior pituitary and stimulate and inhibit the production and release of the tropic hormones.
  46. What are the seven releasing hormones (RH)?
  47. Corticotropic releasing hormone (CRH)
  48. Thyrotropic hormone releasing hormone (TRH)
  49. Somatostatin
  50. Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
  51. Gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone (GnRH)
  52. Dopamine
  53. Prolactin stimulating hormone (PSH)
  54. What does CRH do?
  55. Stimulates the production and release of ACTH
  56. What does TRH do?
  57. Stimulates the production and release of TSH
  58. What does Somatostatin do?
  59. Inhibits the production and release of GH
  60. What does GHRH do?
  61. Stimulates the production and release of GH
  62. What does GnRH do?
  63. Stimulates the production and release of both FSH and LH
  64. Where is inhibin produced and what does it do?
  65. Inhibin is produced by the ovarian follicle and the corpus luteum
  66. it acts at the anterior pituitary to inhibit the production and release of FSH
  67. What does Dopamine do?
  68. inhibits the production and release of prolactin
  69. What does PSH do?
  70. stimulates the production and release of prolactin
  71. What RH releases two tropic hormones?
  72. GnRH releases both LH and FSH
  73. What tropic hormones are affected by two RH?
  74. GH is stimulated by GHRH and inhibited by Somatostatin
  75. prolactin is stimulated by prolactin stimulating factor and inhibited by dopamine
  76. In the adult female, how does very low estrogen affect GnRH?
  77. Stimulates the production of GnRH
  78. In the adult female, how does moderate estrogen affect GnRH?
  79. Inhibits GnRH
  80. In the adult female, how does very high estrogen affect GnRH?
  81. Stimulates GnRH
  82. What type of feedback system regulates most of the hormonal systems in the body?
  83. Negative feedback
  84. What is the feedback loop between FSH/LH and GnRH?
  85. Negative feedback: GnRH stimulates LH/FSH, increased levels of LH/FSH inhibit GnRH
  86. When is the one time of the month when estrogen overrides the “negative feedback” system and makes it go to a “positive feedback” loop and why?
  87. Estrogen overrides the system 24 hours before ovulation when the Graafian follicle that is pushing against the ovary sends a signal that the ovum is ready for ovulation by dumping all of its remaining estrogen into the bloodstream. This very high level of estrogen stimulates GnRH release which then stimulates production of both FSH and LH which is needed in order to trigger ovulation. The GnRH level in this case is so high that it overwhelms the effect of inhibin. So, massive release of E massive release of GnRH massive release of LH and FSH ovulation
  88. List the Estrogen levels across the monthly cycle:
  89. Levels start to increase on Day 1 and gradually increase throughout the preovulatory phase (because the follicles are growing)
  90. Surge (sharp increase) 24 hours prior to ovulation.
  91. Levels decrease after surge (through ovulation).
  92. Levels rise during the postovulatory phase as the corpus luteum develops.
  93. Drop off just before menses when the corpus luteum dies.
  94. List the Progesterone levels across the monthly cycle:
  95. Levels low on Day 1
  96. Stay very low throughout the preovulatory phase
  97. Increase during the postovulatory phase with the development of the corpus luteum
  98. Drop off just before menses with the death of the corpus luteum
  99. List the FSH levels across the monthly cycle:
  100. Begin to rise at the end of the postovulatory phase.
  101. Decrease in late preovulatory phase.
  102. Surge at the exact time of ovulation because of massive surge of estrogen by GnRH.
  103. Decrease after ovulation and stays low throughout most of the postovulatory phase
  104. List the LH levels across the monthly cycle:
  105. Begin to increase on Day 1 to stimulate estrogen
  106. Rise to moderate level and stay relatively steady for the rest of the preovulatory phase
  107. Surge at ovulation.
  108. Declines right after ovulation to make CL
  109. Increases toward the end of the luteal phase and then declines again
  110. What is the adrenal gland and where is it located in the body?
  111. The adrenal gland is a structure of two simultaneously present independent endocrine glands, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla, and sits in the abdominal cavity right above the kidney
  112. What is the adrenal medulla and what is its function?
  113. Gland (may or may not be an endocrine gland) at the inner core of the adrenal gland that produces adrenaline and noradrenalin in response to stress like being hungry, hot, scared, etc.
  114. What is the adrenal cortex and what is its function?
  115. Gland at the outer cortex of the adrenal gland that produces and releases adrenocortical hormones in response to stimulation from the tropic hormone ACTH that is stimulated by the releasing hormone CRH. So, CRH ACTH adrenocortical hormones
  116. What are the three classes of hormones that the adrenal cortex releases and what are their functions?
  117. Glucocorticoids controls glucose metabolism and food intake
  118. Mineralocorticoids regulate levels of minerals and electrolytes such as sodium or potassium
  119. Sex steroids (androgen, estrogen and progesterone) various actions on the body
  120. Are steroid hormones fat soluble or water soluble?
  121. Fat soluble
  122. What is the major source of androgen for women?
  123. The adrenal cortex
  124. What is the best known and strongest androgen (most prevalent in men)?
  125. Testosterone
  126. What is the most prevalent form of androgen in women?
  127. Androstenedione
  128. How does androstenedione have a testosterone effect in women without having the overall masculinizing effect of testosterone?
  129. Once androstenedione enters into its target tissue it is converted to testosterone. This way, the testosterone acts only on the specific tissue it is meant for and does not masculinize the rest of the body on its way to the specific target tissue.
  130. What are the three actions of androgen?
  131. Controls sex drive
  132. Controls acne
  133. Stimulates the growth of pubic and underarm hair
  134. What is the precursor from which all sex steroids including progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and estrogen are produced?
  135. Cholesterol
  136. Are the sex steroid chemicals and their hormone precursors chemically very different or very similar from one another?
  137. Chemically very similar. In fact, sometimes the receptors for these hormones can get confused by similar hormones and will respond to the wrong hormone. This is why some synthetic hormones, like synthetic estrogen, can have progesterone-like or androgen-like activity in addition to their estrogen-like activity
  138. What are prostaglandins and what effect do they have on the uterus?
  139. these are paracrines, meaning they act on tissues very close to their site of production. Women with dysmenorrhea (cramps) have very high levels of prostaglandin in their uteri because the prostaglandins are actually stimulating small contractions in their uterine muscles.
  140. Can any drugs inhibit prostaglandins? If so, which ones? When should they be taken?
  141. Over the counter drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen can be taken to inhibit prostaglandin production by the endometrium but must be taken 2-3 days before cramps start in order to stop the release of the hormones.
  142. What role do prostaglandins play in labor?
  143. Prostaglandin levels are high during labor and can be used to stimulate labor along with oxytocin
  144. What is the difference between puberty and adolescence?
  145. Puberty refers to the biological maturation of an individual from being unable to reproduce to being able to reproduce while adolescence refers to the social transition in which an individual moves from a dependent, child like role to an independent, adult role.
  146. What is the concern about the disparity between puberty and adolescence?
  147. The concern is that girls who reach biological maturity early will face pressures to engage in adult-like behaviors (dating, sex, smoking, drinking) before their decision making and social skills have matured enough to deal with these issues.
  148. What do Frisch and Tanner report about the age of menarche?
  149. The age of menarche has decreased over time
  150. What does Herman-Giddens report about the age of menarche and ethnicity?
  151. The average age of menarche for black girls is younger than for white girls (12.2 vs. 12.9 years old) and furthermore suggests that the age of menarche has stabilized for White girls (because same as Frisch’s findings) but cannot say the what’s happening for Black girls because of the lack of earlier data.
  152. What are Tanner’s five stages of pubertal development?
  153. Start of the adolescent growth spurt
  154. Thelarche
  155. Simultaneous adrenarche and peak of the growth spurt
  156. Underarm hair formation
  157. Menarche
  158. What hormone(s) are involved in the adolescent growth spurt?
  159. Estrogen, androgen and growth hormone
  160. What is thelarche and what two things occur in this stage?
  161. Thelarche= the budding of the breasts
  162. Areola increases in size
  163. Increased breast fat deposition
  164. What hormone(s) are involved in thelarche?
  165. Estrogen and prolactin
  166. What is adrenarche and what hormone(s) are involved?
  167. Adrenarche= increased hormone production by the adrenal cortex
  168. First sign is pubic hair formation - an androgen effect
  169. What hormone(s) are involved in underarm hair formation?
  170. Androgen only
  171. What is menarche?
  172. The first menses
  173. Is growth addressed in Herman-Giddens’ study of puberty and adolescence?
  174. No!
  175. What does Brooks-Gunn specify as an “early maturer”?
  176. Those who begin to menstruate in grade six or earlier, so about 11 or less years old (if their peers are not maturing at that time as well)
  177. What are the six things that Brooks-Gunn has to say about early maturers?
  178. Have a poorer attitude towards menstruation
  179. More likely to report severe menstrual symptoms
  180. Have a poorer body image
  181. Poorer preparation for menarche
  182. May have poorer self-esteem (especially if they change schools at the time)
  183. Earlier onset of dating, smoking, sex and drinking (adult-like behaviors)
  184. What are the two things that Brooks-Gunn has to say about late maturers?
  185. Increased tension
  186. lower self-esteem than their menstruating peers before they reach menarche
  187. After menarche, differences in self-esteem and tension disappear
  188. Draw a picture of the relative hormone level changes that occur during puberty:

69.1.Pre-pubertyPost-puberty

  1. What does this picture mean? (Explain it in words)
  2. Estrogen, LH and FSH hormone cycles begin before puberty, but they increase in amplitude during puberty
  3. What does Frisch suggest about body fat and menarche?
  4. Body fat is a determinant of menarche (have to reach a certain percentage to begin menstruation) and that intense athletic training can inhibit puberty because it keeps body fat lower
  5. Hormonally, how does body fat influence the onset of menarche?
  6. Because androgens are converted to estrogen in body fat tissue, the more body fat there is the more androgens are converted into estrogen. If estrogen levels get high enough to decrease the sensitivity of the hypothalamus then this estrogen level can stimulate the ovary to produce adult levels of estrogen and thus menarche
  7. What is the failure to menstruate?
  8. Amenorrhea
  9. What is exercise-induced amenorrhea and what happens hormonally in this stage?
  10. Failure to menstruate as a result of intense athletic or dance training
  11. GnRH, LH and FSH and estrogen levels are suppressed so ovulation does not occur
  12. Is exercise-induced amenorrhea reversible? How?
  13. Yes, ending strict athletic/ dance training can cause a return of cyclicity and menstruation
  14. What are three causes of exercise-induce amenorrhea?
  15. Low body fat
  16. Change in the muscle: fat ratio (muscle > fat) as a result of an increase in muscle or decrease in fat
  17. Nutritional deficit state: energy output > energy input (can be caused as a result of increasing exercise without eating extra to compensate for the energy loss)
  18. What are the risks associated with amenorrhea?
  19. Loss of bone density as a result of low estrogen which increases the risk of osteoporosis
  20. When do eating disorders become most prevalent in the life cycle?
  21. Puberty and adolescence but current data suggest they can occur at any time
  22. What is the current argument for why eating disorders occur in some women but not others?
  23. There is a genetic component in certain individuals that is transmitted from parents that predisposes individuals to develop an eating disorder. However, this may be dependent on environmental triggers because while someone may have this trait that predisposes them to develop an eating disorder, they may not necessarily display it unless they are in a specific environment that in conducive to this trait.
  24. What does Parlee’s research tell us about women’s moods and behaviors during the menstrual cycle?
  25. Both men and women report that women experience very negative symptoms during the premenstruum
  26. What does Ruble’s research tell us about women’s moods and behaviors during the menstrual cycle?
  27. Women convinced that they are premenstrual report more pain and bloating than women convinced they are not premenstrual
  28. What was the effect of societal stereotypes about premenstruum on scientific research on mood and the monthly cycle?
  29. Relaxed standards on scientific procedures in the study of mood or behavior and the monthly cycle which led to the publication of many studies that were poorly designed and yielded dubious results
  30. In recall studies, what symptoms do women report to be associated with the menstrual cycle?
  31. An increase in negative moods and behaviors premenstrually
  32. And sometimes an increase in positive moods during the follicular phase or midcycle
  33. In concurrent studies, what relationships between mood and behavior and the monthly cycle do women report?
  34. More positive moods and behaviors during the follicular phase or at mid-cycle.
  35. They report no correlation between negative moods and behaviors and the premenstrual phase of the cycle
  36. Between recall and concurrent studies, which is a more accurate measure of mood and behaviors during the menstrual cycle? Why?
  37. Concurrent studies because by having women keep daily diaries of their moods, behaviors and cycle phases the responses are less tainted by stereotypes of moods/ behaviors
  38. About how many women actually experience PMDD as defined by the DSM IV?
  39. 5-10% of the general population
  40. Give some examples of physical, behavioral and mood symptoms of PMS:
  41. Physical: breast tenderness, bloating, headache
  42. Behavioral: sleep disturbances, poor concentration, and social withdrawal
  43. Mood: Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression
  44. What is the difference between PMS and PMDD?
  45. PMS is a more laxly defined set of symptoms which can include physical as well as psychological symptoms. PMDD is more rigorously defined for research purposes.
  46. PMDD can only be diagnosed as such if the person has at least one of four behavioral symptoms. What are they?
  47. Irritability
  48. Tension or anxiety
  49. Depressed mood or hopelessness
  50. Sudden mood swings
  51. What are the four symptomatology requirements for PMDD?
  52. Symptoms must occur during most cycles for at least one year
  53. Symptoms must interfere with work, social activities and/or relationships
  54. Symptoms must be restricted to the perimenstrual time period (7 days before to 3 days after the onset of menses)
  55. Symptoms must be confirmed by daily diary for at least two cycles
  56. Name some non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for PMDD
  57. Non-pharmacological:
  58. Awareness
  59. Improved social support
  60. Cognitive behavioral therapy
  61. Increased aerobic exercise
  62. Changed diet:

high carbs/ low protein, decreased caffeine and sodium, increased calcium intake