Reproductive Physiology — MCQs

Reproductive Physiology Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs

Question 441: What is the primary hormone responsible for the secretion of milk?

A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin (Correct Answer)
C. Glucocorticoids
D. Relaxin

Explanation: ***Prolactin*** - **Prolactin** is the primary hormone synthesized and secreted by the pituitary gland that is responsible for **milk production** (lactogenesis) in the mammary glands after childbirth. - Its levels rise significantly during pregnancy and remain elevated with regular suckling, which stimulates its release and maintains milk supply. *Oxytocin* - **Oxytocin** is primarily responsible for the **milk ejection reflex** (let-down reflex), causing the contraction of myoepithelial cells around the alveoli to release milk. - It does not stimulate the production of milk itself but rather its expulsion from the breast. *Glucocorticoids* - **Glucocorticoids** (like cortisol) play a role in mammary gland development and maturation, and can have permissive effects on prolactin's action. - However, they are not the primary hormone directly responsible for stimulating milk secretion. *Relaxin* - **Relaxin** is a hormone primarily involved in relaxing ligaments in the pelvis and softening the cervix during childbirth. - It has no direct primary role in the production or secretion of breast milk.

Question 442: After injecting testosterone in a hypoandrogenic male, which of the following occurs ?

A. Decreased LH secretion
B. Decreased FSH secretion (Correct Answer)
C. Increased spermatogenesis
D. None of the options

Explanation: ***Decreased FSH secretion*** - Exogenous testosterone administration leads to **negative feedback** on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, suppressing **GnRH** release, which in turn decreases both **LH** and **FSH** secretion. - FSH suppression is particularly clinically significant because it results in **inhibition of spermatogenesis**, which is a key consideration when using testosterone replacement therapy. - The decrease in FSH, combined with reduced **intratesticular testosterone** (due to LH suppression), impairs Sertoli cell function and sperm production. *Decreased LH secretion* - **This also occurs** with exogenous testosterone administration due to negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary. - Testosterone primarily suppresses **LH** through direct negative feedback at the hypothalamic-pituitary level. - However, in the context of this question focusing on the consequences in a hypoandrogenic male receiving testosterone, the **FSH suppression** and its impact on spermatogenesis is the more clinically emphasized outcome. - **Note:** Both LH and FSH decrease; this question likely emphasizes FSH due to its role in fertility concerns with testosterone therapy. *Increased spermatogenesis* - This is **incorrect**. Exogenous testosterone actually **suppresses spermatogenesis** through multiple mechanisms: - Decreased **FSH** (essential for Sertoli cell function) - Decreased **intratesticular testosterone** concentration (despite high systemic levels) - The high local testosterone concentration within the seminiferous tubules (30-100x serum levels) cannot be achieved by systemic testosterone alone. *None of the options* - This is incorrect because exogenous testosterone administration clearly causes **suppression of gonadotropins** (both LH and FSH) through well-established negative feedback mechanisms.

Question 443: What does spermiogenesis refer to?

A. Formation of spermatozoa from spermatogonia
B. Formation of spermatozoa from spermatids (Correct Answer)
C. Formation of spermatids from spermatocytes
D. Formation of secondary spermatocytes from primary spermatocytes

Explanation: ***Formation of spermatozoa from spermatids*** - **Spermiogenesis** is the final stage of spermatogenesis, involving the remarkable transformation of a round **spermatid** into a motile, mature **spermatozoon**. - This process includes crucial morphological changes such as the formation of the **acrosome**, condensation of the nucleus, development of the flagellum, and shedding of excess cytoplasm. *Formation of spermatozoa from spermatogonia* - This describes the entire process of **spermatogenesis**, which begins with **spermatogonia** and encompasses multiple stages including mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. - While it's the ultimate outcome, it doesn't specifically define the detailed transformation from spermatid to sperm. *Formation of spermatids from spermatocytes* - This stage refers to **meiosis II**, where **secondary spermatocytes** undergo division to produce **spermatids**. - Spermatids are precursors to spermatozoa and still require significant morphological changes to become mature sperm. *Formation of secondary spermatocytes from primary spermatocytes* - This describes **meiosis I**, where a **primary spermatocyte** divides to form two **secondary spermatocytes**. - This step reduces the chromosome number by half but doesn't involve the final morphological changes seen in spermiogenesis.

Question 444: In the breast, lactiferous ducts are formed under the influence of which hormone?

A. Progesterone
B. LH
C. FSH
D. Estrogen (Correct Answer)

Explanation: ***Estrogen*** - **Estrogen** plays a primary role in the development and branching of the **lactiferous ducts** in the breast. - It stimulates the proliferation of ductal epithelial cells, contributing to the growth of the duct system. *Progesterone* - **Progesterone** is primarily responsible for the development of the **lobuloalveolar system** and secretory differentiation within the breast. - While essential for lactation, its main function is not duct formation but rather the maturation of secretory units. *LH* - **Luteinizing hormone (LH)** is crucial for ovulation and the formation of the **corpus luteum** in the ovaries. - It has no direct role in the structural development of the lactiferous ducts in the breast. *FSH* - **Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)** is essential for the growth and maturation of **ovarian follicles**. - It does not directly influence the formation or development of lactiferous ducts in the breast.

Question 445: The primary oocyte remains arrested in which stage until ovulation?

A. Diplotene stage (Correct Answer)
B. Pachytene stage
C. Metaphase
D. Telophase

Explanation: ***Diplotene stage*** - The primary oocyte enters **meiosis I** during fetal development but arrests in the **prophase I substage of diplotene**. - This arrest is maintained until **puberty** and **ovulation**, when hormonal surges trigger the completion of meiosis I. *Pachytene stage* - The **pachytene stage** of prophase I is when **crossing over** (recombination) occurs between homologous chromosomes. - While an important step in meiosis, it precedes the **diplotene arrest** point. *Metaphase* - **Metaphase** is a stage where chromosomes align at the metaphase plate, either in meiosis I or meiosis II. - The primary oocyte's arrest occurs much earlier, during **prophase I**, not metaphase. *Telophase* - **Telophase** is the final stage of mitosis or meiosis where chromosomes decondense and nuclear envelopes reform. - The oocyte's initial arrest point is in **prophase I**, long before telophase.

Question 446: Spermatogenesis takes place in?

A. Epididymis
B. Seminiferous tubule (Correct Answer)
C. Ductus deferens
D. Prostate

Explanation: ***Seminiferous tubule*** - **Spermatogenesis**, the process of sperm production, primarily occurs within the highly convoluted **seminiferous tubules** located in the testes. - These tubules contain **Sertoli cells** that support and nourish developing sperm, and **germ cells** that undergo meiosis to form spermatozoa. *Epididymis* - The **epididymis** is a coiled tube where sperm undergo maturation, gain motility, and are stored before ejaculation. - It is not the site of sperm production, but rather for **sperm maturation** and storage. *Ductus deferens* - The **ductus deferens** (vas deferens) is a muscular tube that transports mature sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct during ejaculation. - It is a **transport pathway** and does not play a role in sperm formation or maturation directly. *Prostate* - The **prostate gland** contributes fluids to the semen, particularly a milky fluid containing citrate (nutrient), enzymes, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). - These fluids aid in sperm activation and motility but do not contribute to **sperm production**.

Question 447: Which hormone surge indicates the fertile period in females?

A. LH (Correct Answer)
B. FSH
C. Estrogen
D. Oxytocin

Explanation: ***LH*** - The **luteinizing hormone (LH) surge** triggers **ovulation**, releasing a mature egg from the follicle. - This surge is a key indicator of the **fertile window** in a woman's menstrual cycle. *FSH* - **Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)** primarily stimulates the growth and development of **ovarian follicles** early in the menstrual cycle, prior to the fertile period. - While essential for follicle maturation, it does not directly signal the immediate fertile window or ovulation. *Estrogen* - **Estrogen levels peak** just before the LH surge, playing a role in triggering the surge itself through positive feedback. - However, estrogen itself does not directly indicate the onset of the fertile period; rather, the subsequent LH surge does. *Oxytocin* - **Oxytocin** is largely involved in processes like **uterine contractions during childbirth** and **milk ejection during lactation**. - It has no direct role in indicating a female's fertile period or timing of ovulation.

Question 448: What does colostrum have compared to normal milk?

A. Increased proteins (Correct Answer)
B. Decreased potassium
C. Decreased sodium
D. Decreased calories

Explanation: ***Increased proteins*** - **Colostrum** is rich in **immunoglobulins (antibodies)** like IgA, IgG, and IgM, which are proteins crucial for passive immunity in the newborn, making its protein content **2-3 times higher** than mature milk (approximately 2.3 g/100 mL vs 0.9 g/100 mL). - These high protein levels also include **lactoferrin** and **growth factors**, which support the development of the infant's gut and immune system. - This is the **most clinically significant** distinguishing feature of colostrum. *Decreased potassium* - **Potassium (K)** levels in colostrum are actually **similar to or slightly higher** than mature milk (approximately 74 mg/100 mL vs 51 mg/100 mL). - This option is incorrect as potassium is not decreased. *Decreased sodium* - **Sodium (Na)** levels are actually **significantly higher** in colostrum than in mature milk (approximately 48 mg/100 mL vs 15 mg/100 mL). - This elevated sodium gives colostrum a distinct salty taste, differentiating it from mature milk. - This option is incorrect as sodium is increased, not decreased. *Decreased calories* - While colostrum has a **lower fat content** than mature milk, leading to somewhat lower caloric density (54-58 kcal/100 mL vs 65-70 kcal/100 mL), this is not the primary distinguishing characteristic. - The most important feature of colostrum is its **high protein and immunoglobulin content** for immune protection, not its caloric value.

Question 449: Haploid number of chromosomes is first seen in?

A. Spermatogonia
B. Primary spermatocytes
C. Secondary spermatocyte (Correct Answer)
D. Spermatids

Explanation: ***Secondary spermatocyte*** - A secondary spermatocyte is formed after **meiosis I**, where the homologous chromosomes are separated, resulting in a cell with a **haploid number of chromosomes (n)**, although each chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids. - This is the **first stage** where haploidy is achieved in spermatogenesis. - These cells are transient and quickly undergo meiosis II to form spermatids. *Spermatogonia* - Spermatogonia are **diploid (2n)** germline stem cells that undergo mitosis to produce more spermatogonia or differentiate into primary spermatocytes. - They contain the full complement of chromosomes found in somatic cells. *Primary spermatocytes* - Primary spermatocytes are also **diploid (2n)** cells that enter meiosis I. - Before meiosis I, DNA replication occurs, so each chromosome consists of two sister chromatids, but the cell still maintains a diploid chromosome number. *Spermatids* - Spermatids are formed after **meiosis II** from secondary spermatocytes and are also **haploid (n)**. - However, secondary spermatocytes become haploid **earlier** in the process, immediately following the reductional division of meiosis I.

Question 450: What is the average progressive velocity of human sperm under standard laboratory conditions?

A. 1-3 mm/min (Correct Answer)
B. 4-6 mm/min
C. 6-9 mm/min
D. 10-13 mm/min

Explanation: ***1-3 mm/min*** - The typical average progressive velocity of human sperm, categorized as **Grade A (rapid progressive)** motility, ranges from **25 micrometers/second or faster**, which translates to approximately 1-3 mm/minute. - This velocity is crucial for sperm to traverse the female reproductive tract and reach the ovum for fertilization. *4-6 mm/min* - This velocity range is significantly faster than the **average progressive velocity** observed in viable human sperm under standard laboratory conditions. - While some individual sperm may achieve higher speeds, this range is not representative of the **average progressive motility** of a healthy sperm population. *6-9 mm/min* - This progressive velocity is exceptionally high and not typically observed as the average for human sperm, even for highly motile sperm. - Such a high velocity would indicate an **abnormally fast movement** not compatible with biological norms for average progressive motility. *10-13 mm/min* - This range represents an extremely rapid progressive velocity for human sperm, well beyond physiological averages. - It does not align with the standard measurements for **progressive motility**, which are generally much lower.

Practice by Chapter

Male Reproductive Physiology

Practice Questions

Spermatogenesis and Sperm Function

Practice Questions

Female Reproductive Physiology

Practice Questions

Menstrual Cycle

Practice Questions

Ovulation and Fertilization

Practice Questions

Physiology of Pregnancy

Practice Questions

Parturition

Practice Questions

Lactation

Practice Questions

Sexual Differentiation and Development

Practice Questions

Reproductive Aging

Practice Questions

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