Reproduction: effects of oestrogen loss: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Reproduction: effects of oestrogen loss

Sample item

A 55-year-old woman, five years after menopause, has osteopenia and a less favourable lipid profile. Which pair of oestrogen actions has been lost?

ARestraint of osteoclast activity and a favourable effect on HDL and LDLBPromotion of calcium loss in urine and a raised HDLCStimulation of osteoclast activity and a lowering of HDLDInhibition of osteoblasts and a lowering of triglycerides

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Restraint of osteoclast activity and a favourable effect on HDL and LDL

Oestrogen restrains osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and favours higher HDL and lower LDL. After menopause these protective effects fade, so bone is lost faster and the lipid profile worsens.

Option by option

A. Restraint of osteoclast activity and a favourable effect on HDL and LDL (correct)
Correct. Oestrogen restrains osteoclasts and improves lipids, and both are lost after menopause.
B. Promotion of calcium loss in urine and a raised HDL
Oestrogen does not promote urinary calcium loss, and raising HDL would be protective, not lost.
C. Stimulation of osteoclast activity and a lowering of HDL
Oestrogen restrains, not stimulates, osteoclasts, and it raises rather than lowers HDL.
D. Inhibition of osteoblasts and a lowering of triglycerides
Oestrogen supports osteoblast function and does not lower triglycerides as a protective effect.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Restraint of osteoclast activity and a favourable effect on HDL and LDL. Oestrogen restrains osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and favours higher HDL and lower LDL.

Why is "Promotion of calcium loss in urine and a raised HDL" not the answer?

Oestrogen does not promote urinary calcium loss, and raising HDL would be protective, not lost.

Why is "Stimulation of osteoclast activity and a lowering of HDL" not the answer?

Oestrogen restrains, not stimulates, osteoclasts, and it raises rather than lowers HDL.

Why is "Inhibition of osteoblasts and a lowering of triglycerides" not the answer?

Oestrogen supports osteoblast function and does not lower triglycerides as a protective effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Reproduction: effects of oestrogen loss in Physiology. After menopause these protective effects fade, so bone is lost faster and the lipid profile worsens.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Reproduction: effects of oestrogen loss?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.