ESTROGEN
PROGESTERONE
Cycling
Site(s) of Production: corpus luteum & ovarian Site(s) of Production: Corpus Luteum
Woman
follicle/Graafian follicle
Reproductive Effects:
Reproductive Effects:
1. prevents coordinated contractions uterus
1. proliferation of endometrium
(follicular
2. stores fat/glycogen in endometrium
phase)
3. Mammary tissue development
2. proliferation of mammary tissues
Non Reproductive Effects:
(follicular phase)
1. decreased activity (somnolence)
3. proliferation of uterine muscle cells
2. increased appetite and fat storage
(pregnancy)
3. stabilize blood pressure
Non Reproductive Effects:
4. prevents coordinated contractions of smooth
1. increase activity
muscle (other than uterus)
2. decrease appetite and fat storage
3. stabilize blood pressure
4. skin elasticity/resilience
5. bone development/calcium retention
Hormonal
Where it acts: hypothalamus
Where it acts: anterior pituitary
Contraceptive
Actions:
Actions:


Inhibits GnRH causing low LH & FSH
levels leading to no follicle growth. If no

Pregnancy
Prevents FSH &LH production
stopping ovulation
follicle then low estrogen.

Prevents endometrial buildup
THEREFORE, prevents ovulation

Slows ovum transport
Speeds ovum transport

Thick & pasty cervical mucus

Inhibits sperm capacitation
Site of Production: placenta & corpus luteum
Site of Production: placenta & corpus luteum
Which estrogen & from what: estrial from
Formed from what: from cholesterol of mom
fetal androstenedione
Actions:
Actions:
1. inhibits coordinated contractions of uterus
1. Uterine cell proliferation and strength
2. Maximal mammary development (with
2. Maximal mammary development (with
estrogen and HPL)
progesterone and HPL)
Pre-Puberty
Where Produced:
Where Produced:
adrenal cortex & adipose (fat) tissue conversion
adrenal cortex & byproduct of adipose (fat)
Levels:
tissue conversion of sex steroids.
lower amplitudes but still cycling
Levels:
lower amplitudes but still cycling
Menopause
Where/How Produced: (ovaries may continue
Where/How Produced: (ovaries may continue
to produce some)
to produce some)
Adrenal cortex produces androstenedione that
Adipose tissue conversion of sex steroid makes
adipose tissue converts to estrone
progesterone as by product
Levels:
Levels:
Low, non-cycling
Low, non-cycling
FYI
Endocrinology of Menopause

Relationships between hormones stay
the same, so:
 Very low estrogen stimulates GnRH
 GnRH stimulates FSH and LH
 Not much estrogen produced in
response to LH and inhibin very low.
 GnRH increases, then FSH and LH
increase
 GnRH, FSH and LH levels high postmenopause (opposite of prepuberty).
Hormones Produced During Pregnancy
HCG
HPL
ESTRIAL
PROGESTERONE
Human Chorionic
Human Placental
(fetal viability)
(placental viability)
Gonadotropin
Lactogen
Where/How
Fertilized
Placenta
Placenta, from
Placenta, from
Placenta &
Produced?
ovum &
fetal
moms cholesterol
Corpus
placenta
androstenedione
Actions
RELAXIN
Luteum
(chemically
(similar to
1. Mammary
1. Prevent
1. Soften
similar to LH)
prolactin)
Gland develop.
coordinated
ligaments
1. Signals CL
1. Makes
2. Uterine cell
contractions of
allowing
to stay alive
alveoli
proliferation
uterus
mvmt in
and produce
functional
and strength
2. Mammary develp.
joints
progesterone
2. Increases
3. Drops for labor
2. Highest in
# of alveoli
to allow coordinated
3rd trimester
contractions
for labor &
Delivery
Stages of Labor
I.
Stage 1
a. Phase 1: Latent, longest phase (many hours but variable)
i. Cervical dilation 3-5 cm
ii. Mild discomfort, contractions further apart
b. Phase 2: Active (cervical os is expanding)
i. Cervical dilation 4-7 cm
ii. Increased discomfort, contractions more often and stronger
c. Phase 3: Transition (cervical effacement complete)
i. Cervical dilation 8-10 cm
ii. Most discomfort, contractions very strong and close together
II.
Stage 2
a. From full effacement/dilation until delivery
b. “Pushing”
c. Shorter than Stage 1 (30-120 mins)
III.
Stage 3
a. Passing of placenta after birth of baby
b. Easiest phase, squishy sack instead of baby!