THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Gonads – primary sex organs

Testes in males
Ovaries in females
Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and secrete hormones
Sperm – male gametes
Ova (eggs) – female gametes

Male Reproductive System

Testes
Duct system
Epididymis
Ductus deferens
Urethra

Accessory organs
1. Seminal vesicle
2. Prostate gland
3. Bulbourethral gland
External genitalia
1. Penis
2. Scrotum
Testes
1. Coverings of the testes
Tunica albuginea – capsule
that surrounds each testis
Septa – extensions of the
capsule that extend into the
testis and divide it into
lobules

- Each lobule contains one to four

seminiferous tubules
- Tightly coiled structures
- Function as sperm-forming
factories
- Sperm travels through the rete testis
to the epididymis
- Interstitial cells produce androgens
such as testosterone

Epididymis
- Comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube
- Found on the superior part of the testis and along the posterior lateral side
- Functions to mature and store sperm cells (at least 20 days)
- Expels sperm with the contraction of muscles in the epididymis walls to the vas deferens

Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

- Carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
- Passes through the inguinal canal and over the bladder
- Moves sperm by peristalsis
Spermatic cord – ductus deferens, blood vessels, and nerves in a connective tissue sheath
- Ends in the ejaculatory duct which unites with the urethra
Vasectomy – cutting of the ductus deferens at the level of the testes to prevent transportation of sperm

Urethra
- Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis
- Carries both urine and sperm
- Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
Regions of the urethra
Prostatic urethra – surrounded by prostate
Membranous urethra – from prostatic urethra to penis
Spongy (penile) urethra – runs the length of the penis

Seminal Vesicles
- Located at the base of the bladder
- Produces a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of semen)
Fructose (sugar)
Vitamin C
Prostaglandins
Other substances that nourish and activate sperm
Prostate Gland
Encircles the upper part of the urethra
Secretes a milky fluid
- Helps to activate sperm
- Enters the urethra through several small ducts

Bulbourethral Glands
Pea-sized gland inferior to the prostate
Produces a thick, clear mucus
Cleanses the urethra of acidic urine
Serves as a lubricant during sexual intercourse
Secreted into the penile urethra

Semen
Mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
Advantages of accessory gland secretions
Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic environment of vagina
Semen inhibits bacterial multiplication
Elements of semen enhance sperm motility

External Genitalia
1. Scrotum
- Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen
- Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal body temperature to protect sperm viability
2. Penis
- Delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract
- Regions of the penis
Shaft
Glans penis (enlarged tip)
Prepuce (foreskin)
Folded cuff of skin around proximal end
Often removed by circumcision
Spermatogenesis
- Production of sperm cells
- Begins at puberty and continues throughout life
- Occurs in the seminiferous tubules

Processes of Spermatogenesis
- Spermatogonia (stem cells) undergo rapid mitosis to produce more stem cells before puberty
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) modifies spermatogonia division
- One cell produced is a stem cell
- The other cell produced becomes a primary spermatocyte

Spermiogenesis
Late spermatids are produced with distinct regions
Head – contains DNA covered by the acrosome
Midpiece
Tail
Sperm cells result after maturing
of spermatids
Spermatogenesis takes 64 to 72 days

Anatomy of a Mature Sperm Cell

- The only human flagellated cell
- DNA is found in the head
Testosterone Production
- The most important hormone of the testes
- Produced in interstitial cells
- Functions of testosterone
Stimulates reproductive organ development
Underlies sex drive
Causes secondary sex characteristics
Deepening of voice
Increased hair growth
Enlargement of skeletal muscles
Thickening of bones

Regulation of Male Androgens (Sex Hormones)

Female Reproductive System

Ovaries
Duct System
Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia

Ovaries
- Composed of ovarian follicles (sac-like structures)
- Structure of an ovarian follicle
Oocyte
Follicular cells
Ovarian Follicle Stages
Primary follicle – contains an
immature oocyte
Graafian (vesicular) follicle – growing
follicle with a maturing oocyte
Ovulation – when the egg is mature
the follicle ruptures
Occurs about every 28 days
The ruptured follicle is transformed
into a corpus luteum

Support for Ovaries

Suspensory ligaments – secure ovary to
lateral walls of the pelvis
Ovarian ligaments – attach to uterus
Broad ligament – a fold of the
peritoneum, encloses suspensory
ligament

Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

Receive the ovulated oocyte
Provide a site for fertilization
Attaches to the uterus
Does not physically attach to the ovary
Supported by the broad ligament

Uterine Tube Function

Fimbriae – finger-like projections at the distal end that receive the oocyte
Cilia inside the uterine tube slowly move the oocyte towards the uterus
(takes 3–4 days)
Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube (Ampulla)

Uterus
Located between the urinary bladder and rectum
Hollow organ
Functions of the uterus
Receives a fertilized egg
Retains the fertilized egg
Nourishes the fertilized egg

Support for the Uterus

Broad ligament – attached to the pelvis
Uterosacral ligaments – anchored posteriorly
Regions of the Uterus
Body – main portion
Fundus – area where uterine tube enters
Cervix – narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina

Walls of the Uterus

Endometrium
Inner layer
Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg
Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses)
Myometrium – middle layer of smooth muscle
Serous layer – outer visceral peritoneum
Vagina
- Extends from cervix to exterior of body
- Behind bladder and in front of rectum
- Serves as the birth canal
- Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
Hymen – partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured

External Genitalia (Vulva)

Mons pubis
- Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
- Covered with pubic hair after puberty
Labia – skin folds
Labia majora
Labia minora
External Genitalia
Vestibule
- Enclosed by labia majora
- Contains opening of the urethra and the greater vestibular glands (produce mucus)
Clitoris
- Contains erectile tissue
- Corresponds to the male penis

Oogenesis
- The total supply of eggs are present at birth
- Ability to release eggs begins at puberty
- Reproductive ability ends at menopause
- Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian follicles

Oogonia – female stem cells found in a developing fetus

- Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes
- Primary oocytes are surrounded by cells that form primary follicles in the ovary
- Oogonia no longer exist by the time of birth

- Primary oocytes are inactive until puberty

- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes some primary follicles to mature
Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle
Produces a secondary oocyte and the first polar body
Meiosis is completed after ovulation only if sperm penetrates
Two additional polar bodies are produced

Menstrual Cycle
AVERAGE CYCLE: 28 days (23-35days)
Duration of menstrual flow
- 4-6days (normal)
- 1-9 days (abnormal)
Normal blood loss: 30-80 cc, ¼ cup
Interplay of 4 major organs:
1. Hypothalamus
2. Anterior pituitary gland
3. Ovaries
4. Uterus

1. Proliferative Phase
Other terms: follicular phase/ estrogenic phase / post-menstrual phase
- 6 to 14 days
- First phase of menstrual cycle
- Always variable in length
- Immediately after the menstrual flow, the endometrium is very thin, approximately once cell layer
in depth
- Endometrium begins to proliferate as the ovary begins to produce estrogen
- Levels of estrogen will increase in this phase
 Graafian follicle
- Most mature of all follicles
- With cavity and ovum ready to be extruded
- With clear fluid rich in estrogen
- Only 1 follicle matures per menstrual cycle
Primordial follicle
Immature follicle
ESTROGEN: secretion effect in Uterus
- Thickens the uterine lining approximately eight-fold
- Peak of uterine lining coincides with ovulation
- Peaking of estrogen will signal luteinizing hormone surge (increase in blood levels of
luteinizing hormone)
LH Surge
Coincides with ovulation
Extrusion of ovum from the Graafian follicle signals OVULATION

2. Luteal Phase
Other terms: Secretory Phase / Progestational Phase / Premenstrual Phase
- Second phase of menstrual cycle
Remains constant: always 14 days in length
- Production of corpus luteum occurs
- Secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) peaks in this phase
- Cavity is left inside the follicle
- Stimulates change in fluid in Graafian follicle (yellowish, milky white fluid high in progesterone)
PROGESTERONE EFFECT
- Maintains and organizes uterine lining
- If estrogen is present, the uterine lining would continue to thicken

3. Ischemic Phase
- If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum in the ovary begins to regress after 8 to 10 days.
- Production of progesterone and estrogen in this phase also decreases
- The decrease in these hormones makes the endometrium to degenerate
- Capillaries rupture with minute hemorrhages and the endometrium sloughs off

4. Menstrual Phase
- Low levels of Estrogen & Progesterone
- Passage of menstrual flow
Hormone Production by the Ovaries
1. Estrogens
- Produced by follicle cells
- Cause secondary sex characteristics
Enlargement of accessory organs
Development of breasts
Appearance of pubic hair
Increase in fat beneath the skin
Widening and lightening of the pelvis
Onset of menses

2. Progesterone
- Produced by the corpus luteum
- Production continues until LH diminishes in the blood
- Helps maintain pregnancy

Mammary Glands
- Present in both sexes, but only function in females
Modified sweat glands
- Function is to produce milk
- Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly estrogens) to increase in size
Anatomy of Mammary Glands
Areola – central pigmented area
Nipple – protruding central area of areola
Lobes – internal structures that radiate around nipple
Alveolar glands – clusters of milk producing glands within lobules
Lactiferous ducts – connect alveolar glands to nipple

Fertilization – union of egg cell and sperm cell

- The oocyte is viable for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation
- Sperm are viable for 12 to 48 hours after ejaculation
- Sperm cells must make their way to the uterine tube for fertilization to be possible