Wattle Pharmacy Prep

Reproductive physiology
Practice questions with explanations

Reproductive physiology belongs to Biomedical sciences, which makes up about 20% of the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA®). Answer each question yourself before opening the explanation.

1. Which mechanism underlies lactation after delivery?

  1. Falling placental oestrogen and progesterone release prolactin's action on the breast, with suckling maintaining prolactin and oxytocin release
  2. Lactation is independent of hormones
  3. Rising oestrogen stimulates milk production
  4. Oxytocin produces milk
Show answer

A. Falling placental oestrogen and progesterone release prolactin's action on the breast, with suckling maintaining prolactin and oxytocin release

High placental steroids block prolactin's effect during pregnancy, and their withdrawal at delivery permits milk production to begin. Prolactin drives synthesis and oxytocin causes ejection, both maintained by suckling, which is why supply depends on demand. Dopamine agonists suppress prolactin and lactation, while dopamine antagonists can cause galactorrhoea.

2. Which hormone is responsible for male secondary sexual characteristics?

  1. Testosterone, with conversion to dihydrotestosterone in some target tissues
  2. Prolactin
  3. Follicle stimulating hormone
  4. Oestradiol only
Show answer

A. Testosterone, with conversion to dihydrotestosterone in some target tissues

Testosterone from Leydig cells acts directly in muscle and bone and is converted by 5-alpha-reductase to the more potent dihydrotestosterone in skin, hair follicles and prostate. This explains why finasteride affects prostate, hair and skin without the full effects of androgen deprivation, and why aromatisation to oestradiol matters for male bone health.

3. Which hormonal pattern characterises polycystic ovary syndrome?

  1. High FSH with low oestrogen
  2. Hyperandrogenism with irregular ovulation, commonly with insulin resistance and a raised LH to FSH ratio
  3. Low androgens with regular ovulation
  4. Low insulin with high sex hormone binding globulin
Show answer

B. Hyperandrogenism with irregular ovulation, commonly with insulin resistance and a raised LH to FSH ratio

Insulin resistance raises insulin, which stimulates ovarian androgen production and lowers sex hormone binding globulin, raising free testosterone further. The consequences are hirsutism, acne, anovulatory subfertility and metabolic risk. Weight reduction, metformin, combined contraception and, for fertility, letrozole address different parts of the same loop.

These are 3 of the 20 questions on reproductive physiology in the app.

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More topics in Biomedical sciences

Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology · Cell biology and biochemistry · Endocrine physiology · Gastrointestinal physiology · Haematology · Immunology · Microbiology · Musculoskeletal and skin · Neurophysiology · Renal physiology and fluid balance · Respiratory physiology and pathophysiology