[TRANS] UNIT 2: REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

o oocytes (eggs) in females

• MEIOSIS:
OUTLINE o a special type of cell division that leads to formation of
I The Reproductive System gametes
II Formation Of Gametes o Each sperm cell and each oocyte contain 23
III Male Reproductive System
chromosomes
IV Spermatogenesis
V Male Reproductive System Glands
VI Secretions Figure 02. Meiosis
VII Path Of Sperm
VIII Male Sex Hormones
IX Male Puberty
X Male Sex Act
XI Female Reproductive System
XII Oogenesis And Fertilization
XIII External Female Genitalia
XIV Mammary Glands
XV Female Puberty
XVI Female Sex Hormones
XVII Menstrual Cycle
XVIII Menopause
XIX Female Sexual Behavior
XX Female Sex Acts
XXI Contraceptives

THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The human species could not survive without functional
male and female reproductive systems.
• The reproductive systems play essential roles in the
following:
o development of the structural and functional
differences between males and females,
o influence human behavior
o produce offspring.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

• Production of gametes
• Fertilization
• Development and nourishment of a new individual
• Production of reproductive hormones
1. Before meiosis begins, all the chromosomes are
Figure 01. Major Reproductive Organs duplicated creating identical copies called chromatids.
2. At the beginning of meiosis, each of the 46
chromosomes consists of 2 chromatids connected by
a centromere.
3. The chromosomes align as pairs in a process called
synapsis.
4. Because each chromosome consists of 2 chromatids,
the pairing of the chromosomes brings 2 chromatids of
each chromosome close together.
5. Genetic material is exchanged when a part of a
chromatid of 1 chromosome breaks off and is
exchanged with part of another chromatid from the
other chromosome, in a process termed, crossing
over.
6. Meiosis I produce 2 haploid cells, each having 23
chromosomes composed of 2 chromatids joined at a
FORMATION OF GAMETES centromere.
• GAMETES: 7. During Meiosis II, each of the 2 cells divide into 2 more
o reproductive cells cells and the centromere breaks, giving separate
o sperm in males chromosomes.

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8. The final result from meiosis are four haploid cells, • contain SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES: where sperm is
each having 23 chromosomes. produced
• contain INTERSTITIAL CELLS: secrete testosterone
Since the number of chromosomes are reduced during the • contain GERM CELLS: cells that sperm cells arise from
process of dividing into 4 cells, the process is a reduction • contain SUSTENTACULAR CELLS: nourish germ cells
division process. and produce hormones

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The male reproductive system consists of the testes, a SPERMATOGENESIS
series of ducts, accessory glands, and supporting • formation of sperm cells
structures. • begins in males at puberty
• The ducts include the epididymis, the ducta deferens, and • interstitial cells increase in number and size
the urethra. • seminiferous tubules enlarge
• Accessory glands include the seminal vesicles, the • seminiferous tubules produce germ cells and sustentacular
prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands. cells
• Supporting structures include the scrotum and the penis.
PRODUCTION OF SPERM CELLS
Figure 03. Male Reproductive System
• Germ cells
• Spermatogonia
• Primary spermatocytes
• Secondary spermatocytes
• Spermatids
• Sperm cells

Figure 04. Spermatogenesis

SCROTUM
• contains testes
• contains dartos muscle that moves scrotum and testes
close to and away from body depending on temperature.
• sperm must develop at temperatures less than normal
body temperature.
o CREMASTER MUSCLES - extensions of abdominal
muscles can contract and pull the testes nearer the
body.

TESTES
• primary male reproductive organ SPERM CELL STRUCTURE
• produces sperm • HEAD:
• in scrotum o contain a nucleus and DNA
• MIDPIECE:

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o contain mitochondria o small mucus secreting glands near base of prostate
• TAIL: gland
o flagellum for movement
Figure 06. Structure of the Testis and Sperm Cell
DUCTS
EPIDIDYMIS
• thread-like tubules on side of each testis
• where seminiferous tubules empty new sperm
• where sperm continue to mature and develop the ability to
swim and bind to oocytes

DUCTUS DEFERENS
• “vas deferens”
• extends from epididymis and joins seminal vesicle
• cut during a vasectomy

SEMINAL VESICLE
• Sac shaped gland near the ampulla of each ductus
deferens
• Ducts from the seminal vesicle and the ampulla of the
ductus deferens join at the prostate gland to form the
ejaculatory duct.
• Each ejaculatory duct enters the prostate gland and joins
the urethra.

URETHRA
• extends from urinary bladder to end of penis
• passageway for urine and male reproductive fluids

PENIS
• corpus cavernosum, corpus spongiosum, spongy
urethra are 3 columns of erectile tissue which fill with blood
for erection
• Transfers sperm from male to female
• excretes urine Figure 07. Male Reproductive Organs
• distal end of the penis forms a cap, the glans penis.
• Urethra opens to the exterior as the external urethral
orifice.

Figure 05. Penis

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM GLANDS

• PROSTATE GLAND:
o surrounds urethra
o size of a walnut
• BULBOURETHRAL GLAND:

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SECRETIONS
• SEMEN:
o mixture of sperm and secretions from glands
o provides a transport medium and nutrients that protect
and activate sperm
o 60% of fluid is from seminal vesicles
o 30% of fluid is from prostate gland
o 5% of fluid is from bulbourethral gland
o 5% of fluid is from testes
• SEMINAL VESICLES:
o provide fructose
o contain prostaglandins which decrease mucus
thickness around cervix and uterine tubes and help
sperm move through female reproductive tract
o contains coagulants that help deliver semen into
female
• PROSTATE GLAND:
o contains enzymes to liquefy semen after it is inside
female
o neutralizes acidity of vagina
• BULBOURETHRAL GLAND:
o neutralize acidity of male urethra and female vagina

ADDITIONAL INFO
• 2 to 5 milliliters of semen are ejaculated each time MALE SEX ACT
• 1 milliliter of semen contains 100 million sperm • The male sex act is a complex series of reflexes that result
• Sperm can live for 72 hours once inside female in erection of the penis, emission, and ejaculation.
o EMISSION is the movement of sperm cells, mucus,
PATH OF SPERM prostatic secretions, and seminal vesicle secretions
• Sperm develop in seminiferous tubules (testes) into the prostatic, membranous, and spongy urethra.
• Epididymis (mature) o EJACULATION is the forceful expulsion of the
• Ductus deferens secretions that have accumulated in the urethra to the
• Receive secretions from seminal vesicles, prostate gland, exterior.
and bulbourethral gland o Sensations, normally interpreted as pleasurable, occur
• Urethra where semen (sperm) exits body during the male sex act and result in an intense
sensation called an ORGASM.
MALE SEX HORMONES o A phase called RESOLUTION occurs after ejaculation
in which the penis becomes flaccid, an overall feeling
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced in
of satisfaction exists, and the male is unable to achieve
the hypothalamus and stimulates secretion of LH and FSH.
erection and a second ejaculation.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is produced in the anterior
pituitary and stimulates secretion of testosterone.
PENILE ERECTION
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced in the
• ERECTION is the first major component of the male sex
anterior pituitary and prompts spermatogenesis.
act.
• Testosterone is produced in the interstitial cells in the
• Neural stimuli cause the penis to enlarge and become firm.
testes and is involved in development and maintenance of
reproductive organs. • Specifically, parasympathetic action potentials from the
sacral region of the spinal cord cause the arteries that
• Inhibin is secreted by cells of the seminiferous tubules and
inhibits FSH secretion. supply blood to the erectile tissues to dilate.
• Blood then fills small venous sinuses called sinusoids in the
erectile tissue and compresses the veins, which reduces
MALE PUBERTY
blood flow from the penis.
• sequence of events in which a boy begins to produce male
hormones and sperm cells
EMISSION
• begins at 12 to 14 and ends around 18
• EMISSION is the accumulation of sperm cells and semen
• testosterone is major male hormone
in the urethra.
o secondary sexual characteristics develop:
• Stimulated by sympathetic action potentials that originate in
§ EXAMPLE - skin texture, fat distribution, hair
the lumbar region of the spinal cord.
growth, skeletal muscle growth, and larynx
changes • Cause the reproductive ducts to contract and stimulate the
seminal vesicles and the prostate gland to release
Figure 08. Male Reproductive Hormone Regulation secretions.
• Semen accumulates in the urethra.

PENILE EJACULATION
• EJACULATION results from the contraction of smooth
muscle in the wall of the urethra and skeletal muscles
surrounding the base of the penis.

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• Just before ejaculation, action potentials are sent to the

skeletal muscles that surround the base of the penis.
• Rhythmic contractions are produced that force the semen
out of the urethra, resulting in ejaculation.
• In addition, muscle tension increases throughout the body.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The female reproductive organs consist of the ovaries, the
uterine tubes, the uterus, the vagina, the external genitalia,
and the mammary glands.
• The internal reproductive organs of the female are located
within the pelvis, between the urinary bladder and the
rectum.
• The internal reproductive organs are held in place within the
pelvis by ligaments.
• The BROAD LIGAMENT spreads out on both sides of the
uterus and attaches to the ovaries and uterine tubes.

Figure 09. Female Pelvis

OOGENESIS AND FERTILIZATION

• Oogenesis is the process of gamete production in females.
• Oogenesis begins before a female is born. By the fourth
month of development, the ovaries contain 5 million
oogonia which are the cells from which oocytes develop.
• Females are born with all of their oogonia (2 million), unlike
males that only begin to produce sperm during puberty.
• At puberty about 300,000 to 400,000 oogonia are left.
• Puberty to menopause, FSH stimulates several follicles to
begin developing during each menstrual cycle but only 1
follicle should be ovulated.
Figure 10. Female Reproductive System • Oocytes are swept into one of uterine tubes by fimbriae
during ovulation.
• If sperm is present in uterine tube during ovulation oocyte
could be fertilized.
• If fertilization occurs then zygote implants in uterus.
• Oocytes only live for 24 hours, so if no sperm is present at
ovulation no zygote develops, and oocyte dies.

Figure 12. Maturation of Oocyte and Follicle

OVARIES
• Primary female reproductive organ
• Produces oocytes and sex hormones
• One on either side of uterus
• Ovarian ligaments: anchor ovaries to uterus
• Suspensory ligaments: anchor ovaries to pelvic cavity
• Mesovarium: attaches the ovaries to the broad ligament
• Ovarian follicle: groups of cells in ovaries that contain
oocytes
• Each of the ovarian follicles contains an oocyte, the female
reproductive cell.
Figure 11. Structure of Ovary and Ovarian Follicles

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UTERINE (FALLOPIAN) TUBE

• part of uterus which extends toward ovaries and receive
oocytes
• fimbriae are fringe-like structures around opening of
uterine tubes that help sweep oocyte into uterine tubes
• Fertilization usually occurs in the part of the uterine tube
near the ovary, called the ampulla
• tubal ligation (sterilization of female)

UTERUS
• pear sized structure located in pelvic cavity
• functions: receive, retain, and provide nourishment for
fertilized oocyte, where embryo resides and develops
• body: main part
• fundus: the part of the uterus superior to the entrance of
the uterine tubes
• cervix: narrow region that leads to vagina
• UTERINE WALL LAYERS:
MAMMARY GLANDS
o perimetrium (serous): outermost layer
• Organs of milk production in breasts
o myometrium (muscular): middle layer, composed of
smooth muscle • Modified sweat glands
o endometrium: innermost layer that is sloughed off • Female breasts begin to enlarge during puberty
during menstruation • Consists of lobes covered by adipose tissue
• Lobes, ducts, lobules are altered during lactation to
VAGINA expel milk
• extends from uterus to outside of body
Figure 14. Anatomy of Breast
• female copulation organ that receives penis during
intercourse
• allows menstrual flow
• involved in childbirth
• contains very muscular walls and a mucous membrane
• very acidic to keep bacteria out

EXTERNAL FEMALE GENITALIA

• Vulva:
o external female sex organs
o Includes mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris,
prepuce and vestibule
• MONS PUBIS:
o fatty layer of skin covering pubic symphysis
• LABIA MAJORA:
o larger, outer folds of skin surrounding the entrance to
the vagina
o equivalent to male scrotum
• LABIA MINORA: FEMALE PUBERTY
o thin, inner folds of skin surrounding entrance to the • Begins between 11 to 13 years of age and is usually
vagina completed by age 16
• CLITORIS: • Menarche first episode of menstrual bleeding
o small erectile structure located in vestibule • Vagina, uterus, uterine tubes, and external genitalia enlarge
o equivalent to male penis and fat is deposited in breasts and hips
• PREPUCE: • Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone are secreted
o where 2 labia minora unite over clitoris by ovaries
• VESTIBULE:
o space in which vagina and urethra are located FEMALE SEX HORMONES
• Gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH) hormone is produced in
Figure 13. Female External Genitalia
the hypothalamus and stimulates secretion of LH and FSH.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is produced in the anterior
pituitary and causes ovulation.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced in the
anterior pituitary and prompts follicles in the ovaries to begin
development.

ESTROGEN:
• proliferation of endometrial cells
• development of mammary glands (especially duct system)
• control of LH and FSH secretion

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• development and maintenance of secondary sex MENOPAUSE

characteristics • time when ovaries secrete less hormones and number of
follicles in ovaries is low
PROGESTERONE: • menstrual cycle and ovulation are less regular
• enlargement of endometrial cells and secretion of fluid from • hot flashes, fatigue, irritability may occur
uterine glands • estrogen replacement therapy may be used to decreases
• maintenance of pregnancy state side effects
• development of mammary glands (especially alveoli)
• control of estrogen, FSH, and LH secretion FEMALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
• development of secondary sex characteristics • Sexual drive in females, like sexual drive in males, is
dependent on hormones.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE • Testosterone-like hormones, and possibly estrogen, affect
• series of changes that occur in sexually mature, brain cells (especially in the area of the hypothalamus)
nonpregnant females influence sexual behavior.
• MENSES: • Testosterone-like hormones are produced primarily in the
o time when endometrium is shed from uterus adrenal cortex.
o Average is 28 days and results from cyclical changes • Psychological factors also play a role in sexual behavior.
that occur in endometrium • The sensory and motor neural pathways involved in
controlling female sexual responses are similar to those
STAGES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE found in the male.
• Days 1 to 5 Menses (shedding of endometrium)
o menstrual bleeding (menses) FEMALE SEX ACT
o estrogen and progesterone levels are low • During sexual excitement, erectile tissue within the clitoris
o follicle begins to mature and around the vaginal opening becomes engorged with
• Days 6 to 13 Proliferative (between end of menses and blood.
ovulation) • The mucous glands within the vestibule secrete small
o endometrium rebuilds amounts of mucus, with larger amounts extruded into the
o estrogen levels begin to increase vagina through its wall.
o progesterone levels remain low • Stimulation of the female’s genitals during sexual
o follicle matures intercourse and psychological stimuli normally trigger an
• Day 14 Ovulation orgasm, or climax.
o oocyte is released due to LH • The vaginal and uterine smooth muscle, as well as the
o estrogen levels high surrounding skeletal muscles, contract rhythmically, and
o progesterone levels are increasing muscle tension increases throughout much of the body.
o cervical mucus thins • After the sex act, there is a period of resolution, which is
o Corpus luteum - mature follicle after ovulation characterized by an overall sense of satisfaction and
o degenerates if egg is not fertilized relaxation.
• Days 15 to 28 Secretory (between ovulation and next
menses) CONTRACEPTION
o endometrium is preparing for implantation • Many methods are used to prevent pregnancy, either by
o estrogen levels decrease (low) preventing fertilization (contraception) or by preventing
o progesterone levels high implantation of the developing embryo.
o cervical mucus thickens • There are six main types of birth control. From the most to
least effective they include: (1) long-acting reversible
Figure 15. Menstrual Cycle contraception, (2) sterilization, (3) hormonal methods, (4)
barrier methods, (5) fertility awareness, and (6) emergency
contraception.

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