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| | * Oxytocin release causes further synthesis and secretion of oxytocin, thus exibiting positive feedback. | | * Oxytocin release causes further synthesis and secretion of oxytocin, thus exibiting positive feedback. |
| | * Oxytocin concentrations continue to rise until the foetus is expelled, thus the cervical stimulation ceases. | | * Oxytocin concentrations continue to rise until the foetus is expelled, thus the cervical stimulation ceases. |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | + | ---- |
| | + | |
| | + | == Role of Relaxin == |
| | + | |
| | + | * Glycoprotein hormone |
| | + | * Produced by either the corpus luteum or placenta depending on species. |
| | + | * Synthesis is stimulated by '''PGF2α''' |
| | + | * Causes softening of the connective tissue in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]]. |
| | + | * Promotes elasticity of pelvic ligaments. |
| | + | * Prepares the birth canal by loosening supportive tissues so that the passage of the foetus can occur with relative ease. |
| | + | |
| | + | |
| | + | ---- |
| | + | |
| | + | == Role of Oestrodiol Elevation prior to Parturition == |
| | + | |
| | + | * Initiates secretory activity of the reproductive trace, particularly the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]]. |
| | + | * Causes the cervix and vagina to produce mucus. |
| | + | ** Washes out the cervical seal of pregnancy. |
| | + | ** Lubricates the cervical canal and vagina |
| | + | ** Reduces friction, enabling the foetus to exit the reproductive tract with relative ease. |
| | | | |
| | ---- | | ---- |
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| | * As previously explained, parturition is dependent on a rise in foetal Cortisol. However, in this case, the rise in foetal cortisol leads to a decrease in '''maternal''' Progesterone. | | * As previously explained, parturition is dependent on a rise in foetal Cortisol. However, in this case, the rise in foetal cortisol leads to a decrease in '''maternal''' Progesterone. |
| | * Foetal Cortisol causes upregulation of the enzymes '''17α Hydroxylase, C17-C20-lyase and Aromatase''' in order to increase the Oestrogen:Progesterone ratio. | | * Foetal Cortisol causes upregulation of the enzymes '''17α Hydroxylase, C17-C20-lyase and Aromatase''' in order to increase the Oestrogen:Progesterone ratio. |
| − |
| |
| − | ----
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == Role of Relaxin ==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Glycoprotein hormone
| |
| − | * Produced by either the corpus luteum or placenta depending on species.
| |
| − | * Synthesis is stimulated by '''PGF2α'''
| |
| − | * Causes softening of the connective tissue in the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]].
| |
| − | * Promotes elasticity of pelvic ligaments.
| |
| − | * Prepares the birth canal by loosening supportive tissues so that the passage of the foetus can occur with relative ease.
| |
| − |
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ----
| |
| − |
| |
| − | == Role of Oestrodiol Elevation prior to Parturition ==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | * Initiates secretory activity of the reproductive trace, particularly the [[Female_Reproductive_Tract_-The_Cervix_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|cervix]].
| |
| − | * Causes the cervix and vagina to produce mucus.
| |
| − | ** Washes out the cervical seal of pregnancy.
| |
| − | ** Lubricates the cervical canal and vagina
| |
| − | ** Reduces friction, enabling the foetus to exit the reproductive tract with relative ease.
| |