Reproductive Physiology

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NCLEX-PN › Reproductive Physiology

Questions 1 - 10
1

What form of estrogen is only present in pregnant females?

Estetrol (E4)

Estrone (E1)

Estradiol (E2)

Estriol (E3)

Explanation

The only form of estrogen that is exclusively present in pregnant women is estetrol (E4).

2

Which of the following cavernous bodies in the penis contains the urethra?

The corpus spongiosum

The corpus cavernosum

The vas deferens

The epididymis

Explanation

The urethra travels through the corpus spongiosum, one of three cavernous bodies in the human penis. The other two cavernous bodies are a set of sponge-like erectile tissues called the corpus cavernosum. The vas deferens and epididymis are both part of the storage and transportation of semen. The vas deferens joins with the urethra in the penis to facilitate ejaculation.

3

What hormone is responsible for triggering nausea and vomiting of pregnancy ("morning sickness")?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Aldosterone

Didehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Explanation

While research is still being conducted to determine the cause of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, it generally correlates with the surge in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCH) that occurs in the first trimester. Estrogen may be another contributing hormone. Aldosterone, DHEA, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) have no apparent involvement.

4

How does blood plasma volume change over the course of a normal pregnancy?

Increases by 50%

Increases by 25%

Decreases by 10%

Decreases by 25%

Explanation

During a normal pregnancy, the volume of blood plasma increases by 50%. The erythrocyte count also increases, by as much as 30%. This may cause the hematocrit to appear lower than normal, due to dilution by the relatively larger increase in plasma.

5

Which of the following minerals stabilizes sperm cell chromatin?

Zinc

Copper

Magnesium

Manganese

Explanation

The stability of sperm cell chromatin is dependent on zinc. Zinc deficiency can cause sperm to be fragile, which in turn lowers sperm count and decreases male fertility.

6

The average ejaculate contains how many sperm?

100 - 400 million

500 - 800 million

50 - 100 million

700-900 million

Explanation

Male ejaculate can contain any where from 40 million to 1 billion sperm, though the average ejaculate contains between 100 and 400 million.

7

What is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Poor nutrition

Hypogonadism

Stress

Explanation

In polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are elevated, while follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are often low. Because FSH aromatizes androgens to estrogen, low FSH will cause androgens to increase. Low levels of FSH and high androgens keep the follicle from maturing & prevent ovulation. Hypogonadism is significantly more rare, and while extreme stress and poor nutrition may inhibit ovulation, in the United States PCOS is the leading cause of anovulation (failure to release an ovule from the ovary).

8

What is the function of follicle-stimulating hormone in a menstruating woman?

It stimulates the maturation of follicles in the ovary

It triggers the rupture and release of the mature egg from the follicle

It stimulates the formation of the corpus luteum

It stimulates follicles of the uterus in preparation for implantation

Explanation

In a menstruating woman, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the maturation of follicles in the ovary. Rupture of the mature follicle and formation of the corpus luteum are both stimulated by lutenizing hormone (LH). The uterus itself does not contain follicles.

9

Which of the following is a function of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in an adult male?

All of these

It stimulates the Sertoli cells of the testes to produce androgen-binding protein

It stimulates primary spermatocytes to undergo meiosis

It triggers the initiation of spermatogenesis

Explanation

In a healthy adult male, follicle stimulating hormone stimulates the Sertoli cells of the testes to produce androgen-binding protein, it stimulates primary spermatocytes to undergo meiosis, and triggers the initiation of spermatogenesis.

10

The Sertoli cells of the testes secrete all of the following except __________.

All of these are secreted by the Sertoli cells

Anti-Müllerian hormone

Androgen binding protein

Estradiol

Explanation

The Sertoli cells of the testes are responsible for the secretion of many substances, including anti-Müllerian hormone, androgen binding protein, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and estradiol.

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