Given this scenario: Matt and Maria have spent a significant amount of time toge

Question

Given this scenario: Matt and Maria have spent a significant amount of time together and have begun a sexual relationship. They are both over 21 years old and have agreed to be in a consenting relationship. Maria utilizes the rhythm method as her preferred method of birth control.  Several weeks ago she did not menstruate on the dates anticipated by her rhythm method of birth control. This week her menstruation did not occur when expected and thus she has now missed two consecutive menstrual periods. Anticipating that she might be pregnant, she immediately obtained a pregnancy test from the local pharmacy and confirmed that she is indeed pregnant. Although excited about the prospects of having a child, she reflects on her life style during the past several months and recalls with major concern that she and Matt have partied regularly and extensively, consuming significant amounts of alcohol on several occasions.

Answer the following based on the scenario.

3. What type of physiologic processes takes place during the menstrual cycle? Name the hormones in the cycle and their levels throughout the cycle.

4. What hormone would be evident in her urine? Describe this hormone and what it does to help ensure pregnancy.

5. Describe how and when an ovum is released during a typical menstrual cycle.

Explanation / Answer

3. Menstrual cycle involves four physiologic processes:

a. Menstrual phase- Shedding of endometrium and blood loss

b. Follicular phase- The follicles in ovaries develop and mature to get ready/prepared for ovulation

c. Ovulation phase- Mature ovarian follicles ruptures and ovum is discharged

d. Luteal phase- The burst follicle develops into corpus luteum which secretes hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

The hormones in the cycle are follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, estrogen and progesterone.

4. The hormone that would be evident in her urine would be human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released by placenta. This hormone helps to ensure pregnancy in the following way:

hCG interacts with ovary's LHCG receptor and promotes maintenance of the corpus luteum. Corpus luteum is maintained during the beginning of pregnancy due to which progesterone is released during the first trimester. The uterus is enriched with a thick lining of blood vessels due to progesterone. This thick lining helps in sustaining the growing fetus.

5. The ovum is released during the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle. The process of release of ovum involves rupture of mature ovarian follicle during ovulation phase.

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