BIOLOGY

Third Quarter
Science 10
 MELC #2
Describe the feedback
mechanisms involved in
regulating processes in the
female reproductive system
(e.g., menstrual cycle).
Puberty
 • Age varies widely from
8 to 14 y/o
Gonadotrophin • Follicle
Hypothalamus Pituitary gland
-releasing stimulating
hormone hormone
• Luteinizing
hormone

Ovaries
 The Ovaries:
Egg Production
and Hormones
 Ovaries
❑ Secrete hormones
❑ Controlled by
hypothalamus and
pituitary gland
❑ Produce and release
oocytes and ovum
Oocytes and Ovum
• Oocytes – an
immature egg
cell
• Ovum – matured
egg cell
 OOCYTES
• At birth: 1-2 millions
• Puberty: 250,000 to 300,000
• Puberty to Menopause:
450 eggs
Have you ever wondered how
menstrual period works?
Why does it come every
month?
What does it have to do with
getting pregnant?
MENSTRUAL
CYCLE
 Menstruation
• Monthly flow of blood from
the uterus
• Counted from the first day
of your period up to the
first day of the next one
 Menstruation
• It occurs in women from
puberty to menopause
• The average length is
usually 28 DAYS
Phases of the
Menstrual
Cycle
1. Menstrual phase or
period
2. Follicular phase
3. Ovulation phase
4. Luteal phase
 1. Menstrual
phase or period
• Period where
menstrual cycle
starts and lasts for an
average of 3-7 days
• The unfertilized egg
cell from the previous
menstrual cycle and
the uterine lining that
was not used will be
shed from the vagina.
2. Follicular
phase
• Starts from the first day
of the period until
ovulation
• Last an average of 14-
16 days
• Pituitary gland –
produces FSH to
produce and
mature follicles
• This will then signal the
ESTROGEN in the
ovaries to thicken the
uterine lining in
preparation for the
egg being fertilized
3. Ovulation
Phase
• Usually occurs around
day 12-14
• Pituitary gland will
release LH, which cause
the release of the mature
ovum in the follicle
• The mature ovum
will then travel down
to the fallopian tube
to await fertilization
by a sperm.
4. Luteal
Phase
• Last an average of 14
days
• The follicle releases the
mature ovum, the follicle
changes into CORPUS
LUTEUM which produces
PROGESTERONE
• There is an increase in
estrogen and
progesterone in order
to keep the uterine
lining thick
• If pregnancy occurs, the
hormone human
chorionic gonadotropin
(hCG) is released
• Helps maintain the corpus
luteum and uterine lining
• Hormone detected by
pregnancy tests
• If pregnancy does not
occur, the corpus luteum
will be reabsorbed back,
causing a decrease in
estrogen and
progesterone which will
start the menstrual period
 Menstrual
Cycle Length
and Changes
• Happens fairly regularly
for each girl, but the
cycle length may differ
each month
• Average menstrual cycle
– 28 days
• Some can be regular or
irregular
• Reproductive hormones
control the menstrual
cycle, including physical
symptoms
• The days that the women
are fertile is where
pregnancy is possible
• The day an egg cell is
released (ovulation) and
five days prior.
• As the girls get older,
their menstrual cycles
many change due to
various reasons
• Aging
• Medical conditions
• Periods may be heavier
when women are
younger and then grow
lighter as they age
• At 40s they may
experience menopause
Dysmenorrhea
• Feeling of discomfort or
pain and cramps around
the time of period
• Likely caused by high
levels of prostaglandin,
substances released from
the uterine lining
• Menstrual cramps vary in
symptom and pain level
• Usually occurs before or
at the time the bleeding
starts, but may also occur
weeks before and after
bleeding has stopped
Abdominal Headache Dizziness Fatigue
Pain

Symptoms Nausea Irritability

 Pain Eat healthy Change Warm Heating pad
relievers foods your Shower
underwear
regularly
Treatment
Period
Care
 Take 1. 2. 3.
Avoid
warm caffeine and Change your
showers drink lots of undergarments
water regularly

4. 5. Sleep and 6.
rest

Use a hot
patch
Eat healthy
foods
8. 9.
7. Relax Change your 10. Wear
sanitary products
comfortable
11. every 4 hours
Take pain clothes
Light exercise relievers
Breastfeeding
• Main hormones:
Prolactin and
Oxytocin
 PROLACTIN
• Causes the breasts to grow
and make MILK during
pregnancy and after birth.
• Helps in the secretion of
milk
 PROLACTIN
• Blocked throughout
gestation and will only
become active after the
baby is delivered
• Milk secretion begins and
stimulated when a baby
suckles
 OXYTOCIN
• Allows the baby to get milk
• Oxytocin reflex – “letdown
reflex” to make the milk
ready to flow from the
breasts
 Colostrum
• Thick yellowish fluid
• First milk or pre-milk
• Packed with nutrients,
antibodies and protein
 Colostrum
• Flow is slow to enable the
baby to learn how to
nurse
• Will turn to mature white
milk in 2-4 days
• Breastfeed especially
in the first 6 months in
life is HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED
• Added protection to diseases
• Saves time and money
• Foster a strong bond between
mother and child
MELC 2
QUIZ