Bullet point notes

MENSTRUAL CYCLE

¨      oestrogen stimulates LH production

¨      LH produced by pituitary gland

¨      LH stimulates ovulation

¨      LH stimulates formation of corpus luteum

¨      LH stimulates production of progesterone (by corpus luteum)

¨      progesterone maintains / thickens uterine lining

¨      LH inhibits FSH production

¨      without ovulation there is no egg release / no egg to fertilise

FSH

¨      stimulates growth / development of follicle;

¨      stimulates secretion of oestrogen;

¨      enhances effect of LH in stimulating ovulation;

LH

¨      stimulates (final) development of follicle;

¨      stimulates ovulation;

¨      stimulates development of corpus luteum;

¨      stimulates production of progesterone / corpus luteum produces progesterone.

Oestrogen

¨      stimulates repair / proliferation of uterine lining;

¨      (as it rises in concentration) it inhibits FSH;

¨      eventually positive feedback on FSH;

¨      (as it peaks its concentration) it stimulates release of LH:

Progesterone

¨      maintains / proliferates the uterine lining;

¨      inhibits release of FSH;

¨      inhibits release of LH;

¨      fall in progesterone results in menstruation;

¨      fall in progesterone removes inhibition of FSH and new cycle commences;