Human Reproduction
SHORT NOTES
Reproduction Glandular tissue → Mammary lobes → Mammary alveoli
The male and female reproductive organs work together to → Mammary tubules → Mammary duct → Mammary ampulla
produce offspring. → Lactiferous duct
Primary sex organs: Formation of the gametes (sperm and Gametogenesis
egg) and hormones. The process of formation of gametes. It is divided in to three
Secondary Sex Organs: Do not produce gametes, but phases:
provide passage for the gametes. 1. Multiplication phase
Male Reproductive System 2. Growth phase
Male reproductive system consists of primary sex organ 3. Maturation phase
which are testes (one pair) and secondary sex organs which
are male accessory ducts which include rete testis, vasa
Spermatogenesis
efferentia, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra. The process of formation of sperms.
Male accessory glands include seminal vesicles, prostate Spermatogonia, Primary spermatocytes, Secondary
gland, Cowper’s glands/Bulbourethral gland and male spermatocytes, Spermatids, Spermatozoa
external genitalia is penis. Spermiogenesis: Transformation of the spermatid into a
Testes are situated outside the abdominal cavity within a mature sperm cell, or spermatozoon.
pouch called scrotum, for the process of spermatogenesis, Spermiation: The process of release of sperm from the sperm
which provide 2-2.5°C less temperature than normal body head into the lumen of seminiferous tubule.
temperature. Sperm is divided in 3 parts- Head, Middle piece (production
Each testis has 250 compartments called testicular lobules. of energy due to presence of mitochondria) and Tail (help in
Each lobule contains one to three seminiferous tubules. movement).
Each seminiferous tubules contain 2 types of cells- Sertoli Human male ejaculates about 200–300 million sperms during
cells (nurse cells) and Leydig cells (interstitial cells) which a coitus of which for normal fertility, at least 60 percent
synthesise and secrete testosterone. sperms must have normal shape and size, at least 40 percent
of sperm among them must show vigorous motility.
Sertoli cells function as an endocrine gland, i.e., secrete
biochemicals: Oogenesis
(i) Antimullerian hormone Process of formation of a mature female gamete. It is initiated
(ii) Inhibin hormone during the embryonic development stage with million of
(iii) Androgen binding protein (ABP) gamete mother cells called oogonia. Tertiary follicle shows
the presence of fluid filled cavity known as antrum.
The pathway of sperm through the male body is:
LH acts on corpus luteum to secrete four hormones-
Seminiferous tubule → Rete testis → Vasa efferentia → Epididymis progesterone, oestrogen, relaxin, and inhibin.
→ Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct →Urethra FSH causes the development of ovarian follicles.
Female Reproductive System Menstrual Cycle (28/29 days)
It consists of primary sex organ which are pair of ovaries and The cycle of non-pregnant females in their ovaries and uterus,
secondary sex organs which are oviducts (fallopian tubes), which involves the periodic shedding of the endometrium. It
uterus, vagina, female external genitalia and mammary glands. is divided in 3 phases:
Oviduct: Infundibulum (funnel-shaped), Ampulla (fertilization 1. Menstrual Phase/Bleeding phase (3-5 days).
takes place) and Isthmus (last part). 2. Preovulatory phase/Proliferative phase/Follicular phase (6 to
Uterus: Corpus/Body, Fundus and Cervix. 13 days).
The wall of the uterus has three layers of tissue: perimetrium, 3. Postovulatory phase/Secretory phase/Luteal phase (14 days
myometrium, endometrium. fixed).
Birth canal = Cervical canal + Vagina.
Female external genitalia consists of mons pubis, labia Fertilisation
majora, labia minora, hymen, clitoris. The process of fusion of a sperm with an ovum to form a
Accessory glands in female is of 2 types- greater vestibular or diploid cell is called fertilisation. It involves:
bartholin’s gland and lesser vestibular glands or paraurethral 1. Acrosomal reaction
or skene’s glands. 2. Fast block to polyspermy
Pathway of milk ejection 3. Slow block to polyspermy
1
Cleavage Parturition
The fertilized egg, undergoes repeated cell divisions which The process of childbirth which is induced by a complex
occur rapidly to produce a multicellular structure without neuroendocrine mechanism.
changing its size. It involves following stages:
1. Morula 2. Blastula 3. Gastrula Signals for parturition originate
Lead to
Fully developed
Extra Embryonic Membranes from
foetus
There are 4 types of extra embryonic membranes Mild uterine contractions
1. Chorion 2. Yolk sac 3. Allantois 4. Amnion Called
Organogenesis Foetal ejection reflex
Major Events During Gestation Period in Humans: triggers release of
Trimester Month Week Event Oxytocin from posterior
This is positive
feedback loop
Placenta
I 4 Heart is formed, sign of pituitary of mother
growing foetus noticed by
Causes
listening to the heart sounds
through stethoscope. Strong uterine contractions
1st
II 8 Foetus develops limbs and
Leading to
(end) digits.
III 12 Most of major organ systems Expulsion of baby through
(end) are formed including external birth canal (Parturition)
genital organs, limbs.
V 20 First movement of foetus,
Lactation
appearance of hair on head. The process of formation of milk at the end of pregnancy for
2nd
bringing up a healthy baby.
VI 24 Body is covered with fine hair,
(end) eyelids separate, eyelashes are Prolactin helps in production of milk.
formed. Oxytocin causes ejection of milk.
IX 36 Foetus is fully developed and is In initial few days of lactation colostrum (contains IgA) is
3rd (end) ready for delivery. released by lactating mother.
