Page 873 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

Forms after ovulation and liberation of secondary oocyte

LH induces hypertrophy and luteinization of granulosa cells and theca interna
cells
LH causes production of estrogen and increased amounts of progesterone
Without fertilization, the corpus luteum is active for about 12 days before
regression

Regression leads to connective scar tissue corpus albicans
After regression, inhibitory effects of estrogen and progesterone are removed
FSH and LH are again released to start a new cycle of ovarian follicular

development
If fertilization occurs, corpus luteum becomes corpus luteum of pregnancy
Human chorionic gonadotropin produced by trophoblasts stimulates corpus
luteum
Persists during pregnancy until the placenta produces estrogen and

progesterone
The placenta takes over corpus luteum functions and becomes temporary
endocrine organ

UTERINE TUBES

Extend from ovaries into the uterus and exhibit four continuous regions

Infundibulum with fimbriae of the uterine tube located adjacent to the ovary
Mucosa consists of extensive folds and forms irregular lumen
Epithelium is simple columnar with ciliated and nonciliated secretory (peg)
cells

Ciliated cells create a current toward uterus and become predominant in
proliferative phase
Secretory cells provide nutrition for oocyte, fertilized ovum, and developing
embryo

Uterine tube secretions maintain sperm and enhance capacitation of sperm
Smooth muscles provide peristaltic contractions to help capture ovulated
oocyte
Epithelium exhibits changes associated with ovarian cycle

Sperm binds to receptors on zona pellucida, completes capacitation, and
triggers acrosome reaction
Acrosome reaction releases hydrolytic enzymes, and cortical reaction blocks
polyspermy

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