The Reproductive System

Learning Outcomes:
1. List the structures that make up the male reproductive system and
describe their functions.
2. Describe the location and function of the seminiferous tubules, interstitial
cells, and sustentacular cells.
3. List the structures that a sperm cell passes through from the seminiferous
tubules to the epididymis.
4. Describe the process of spermatogenesis. Distinguish it from
spermiogenesis.
5. Describe the functions of the parts of a mature sperm cell.
6. Describe the functions of the secretions of each of the male reproductive
accessory glands.
7. List the structures that make up the female reproductive system and
describe their functions.
8. Describe the process of oogenesis. Correlate the phases of oogenesis
with the development of the ovarian follicle.
9. Explain the origin and function of the corpus luteum.
10. Describe the layers of the uterine wall.
11. Describe the phases of the ovarian cycle. Relate the changes in FSH,
LH, estrogen, and progesterone to these phases.
12. Describe the phases of the uterine cycle. Relate the changes in FSH, LH,
estrogen, and progesterone to these phases.
Sex Determination in Humans: Primarily determined by the presence or absence of a Y
chromosome.
-Chromosomes are composed of DNA and proteins. In humans, most normal somatic cells have
46 chromosomes or 23 pairs of chromosomes.
-Of the 23 pairs, 22 are referred to as autosomes.
-The 23rd pair is referred to as sex chromosomes.
-There are two types of sex chromosomes: X and Y.
-Females have two copies of the X chromosome and males have an X chromosome and a Y
chromosome.
*Each human begins life with both the male and female reproductive ducts.
*The male reproductive tract is referred to as the Wolffian system.
*The female reproductive tract is the Mullerian system.

*At 12 weeks of gestation, sexual differentiation begins:

If the Y chromsome is present:

A gene on the Y chromosome (TDF gene)->[testis determining factor] is expressed

causing the male gonads to develop

Cell of the testes secrete testosterone causing the Wolffian duct system to develop

Cells of the testes secret Mullerian Inhibiting Hormone causing the Mullerian duct
system to degenerate

Some of the testosterone is converted to dihydroxytestosterone causing the external male

genitalia to develop

If the Y chromosome is absent:

The testes will not develop, so the Wolfian duct system degenerate or prevents its
development

no TDF

In the absence of MIH, the Mullerian duct system develops

In the absence of dihydroxytestosterone, the female external genitalia develops

The Reproductive System of the Male

Function: production, maintenance, and distribution of male gametes
Includes the testes, epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra, seminal vesicles,
prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, scrotum and penis
Testes: (gonads)
Site of spermatogenesis (sperm production)
Each testis is subdivided into lobules. Within each lobule are seminiferous tubules.
Seminiferous tubules is the actual site of sperm production/spermatogenesis
Each tubule is surrounded by a capsule that contains:
interstitial cells: responsible for secretion of androgens
The wall of the tubule contains several types of cells, including spermatogonia (stem cells),
spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa and sustentacular cells.
Sustentacular cells have 6 functions that are important for sperm development:
1. maintenance of the blood-testis barrier
2. Support of mitosis and meiosis (cell division)
3. Support of spermiogenesis (maturation of a gamete)
4. Secretion of inhibin (regulates secretions gonadotropins (FSH and LH)
5. Secretion of androgen-binding proteins (concentrates hormones @ this site; androgens
secreted by interstitial cells)
6. Secretion of MIH (early development)

Spermatogenesis: cell division that produces male gametes (sperm or

spermatozoa)
At the outer layer of the tubule wall are the stem cells for spermatozoa, spermatogonium
A spermatogonium is a diploid cell that will divide to give rise to diploid primary spermatocytes.
(can undergo mitosis)
The (1) primary DIPLOID spermatocyte enters meiosis to produce haploid gametes
(FUNCTIONAL spermatozoa) (4)
During Meiosis I, the primary spermatocyte divides to produce two haploid secondary
spermatocytes.
During Meiosis II, each secondary HAPLOID spermatocyte divides to produce two haploid
spermatids.
One primary spermatocyte gives rise to four spermatids.
Each spermatid will go through a maturation process called spermiogenesis to produce functional
gametes.
During spermiogenesis, the spermatid looses much of the cytoplasm and develops a flagellum
The structure of a spermatozoa: (gamete)
1. Head: tightly pack haploid nucleus, at the apex of the head is a vesicle filled with digestive
enzymes called an acrosomal cap (important for movement thru female and/or fertilization)
2. Neck: region connecting the head to the midpiece
3. Midpiece: contains many mitochondria
4. Tail: flagellum
Spermatozoa leaving the testes are not capable of fertilization. Other regions of the male
reproductive tract are responsible for the functional maturation, nourishment and transport of
spermatozoa.
Epididymis:
Functions:

monitor and adjust composition of tubular fluid (sperm)

recycling center for damaged spermatozoa

stores spermatozoa and facilitates maturation: capacitation (sperm become motile when
they mix with seminal fluid)

provide nutrients and rid wast of sperm cells

Ductus Deferens (vas deferens)

passageway for spermatozoa from epididymis to ejaculatory duct

carry sperm from epididymus towards urethra

vasectomy: ductus deferens is severed; takes about 6 months

Ejaculatory Duct

continuous with the ductus deferens

passageway from ductus deferens to the urethra

site of seminal vesicle secretion-into tubular fluid (semen)

Urethra:

common passageway for the urinary system and reproductive system

spermatozoa are transported from the ejaculatory duct to the outside of the body

prostatic

membranous

spongy

Accessory glands of the male reproductive system:

1. Seminal vesicles: paired organ, secretions include fructose (fuel), prostaglandins and
fibrinogen (clotting) (see back)
2.

Prostate gland: produces prostatic fluid containing seminalplasmin (like an antibiotic)

a. neutralizes toxins and bacteria of male urethra

3. Bulbourethral gland: secretion neutralizes urinary acids in the urethra and lubricates the glans
of the penis
Female Reproductive System
Functions:

produce hormones: mainly estrogens

produce gametes: ova (if fertilization occurs)

protect, support and nourish a developing embryo

nourish newborn infant with milk

The female reproductive system includes: ovaries, uterine tube, uterus, vagina, external genitalia
Ovaries:

gonads

site of oogenesis

cortex: outer region; contains follicles where developing gamete forms

Oogenesis: meiotic process that produces ova

*begins before birth
*stalls at birth and then some cells re-enter process each moth at puberty
*process is not complete until fertilization occurs
*each oogonium (primary oocyte) has the potential to produce only on gamete

*rest are polar bodies

Oogonium: primodial cell of ovum; diploid; divide mitotically during embryonic development;
after birth, these cells can no longer divide
Primary oocyte: enters meiosis I; divides to produce two haploid cells: one secondary oocyte
and one polar body
Secondary oocyte: enters meiosis II; divides to produce two haploid cells: one ovum and
one polar body
Females are born with a set number of primary oocytes. The primary oocyte enter meiosis during
embryonic development, but stall before completing the division. At puberty, one cell per month
continues the process of cellular division to produce a gamete.
Ovarian follicles: structure that contains the developing oocyte; follicle cells surround the
primary oocyte
The ovarian cycle is divided into a follicular phase and a luteal phase (after
ovulation); maturation of ovarian follicle and development of gamete
Step 1: Formation of primary follicle: each month a population of primordial follicle begin to
develop under the influence of FSH.

follicle cells divide to produce layers of granulosa cells around the primary oocyte

thecal cells: derived from cells surrounding the follicle; secrete hormones that regulate
activity of female reproductive system

estrogens; endocrine cells; primary oocyte reenters mieosis I

Step 2: Formation of the secondary follicle: few of the original population of primordial cells
will enter this step

(deep) granulos cells begin to secrete a follicular fluid that forms a pocket between layers
of granulosa cells (increases size of follicle-> now a secondary follicle)

Step 3: Formation of the tertiary follicle: Single secondary follicle will continue to this step
(usually)

follicle has increased in size->creates a bulge in ovary

primary oocyte is located within the follicle, embedded in the inner wall of the antrum
(central part of follicle)

LH levels increase; spikes on day 14; transition to luteal phase

primary oocyte completes meiosis I -> forms secondary oocyte and polar body

secondary oocyte detaches from the wall and enters the antrum

Step 4: Ovulation (marks beginning of luteal phase)

tertiary follicle ruptures and releases the secondary oocyte into the pelvic cavity

oocyte is stuck to the ovary and will move into the uterine tube (because of contact with
fimbriae)

Step 5: Formation of the corpus luteum

follicle develops into a structure called the corpus luteum yellow body

corpus luteum secretes progesterones to prepare the uterus for pregnancy

Step 6: Degeneration of the corpus luteum

corpus luteum degenerates if pregnancy does not occur

tissue is converted to corpus albicans: scar tissue

Uterine tubes (oviducts, fallopian tubes)

carry ovum (of oocyte) from ovary to uterus

three regions

infundibulum: region nearest ovary; funnel shaped

ampulla: middle region

isthmus: nearest the uterus

fertilization of ovum usually occurs at the border between the ampulla and isthmus

Uterus

provides protection, nourishment and waste removal for the developing embryo and fetus

contraction expel fetus at birth

rests on pelvic floor-skeletal muscle

Regions of the uterus:

body

fundus

isthmus-narrow region

cervix-projects into the vagina

Wall of the uterus

myometrium: muscular layer-thickest; produces contractions

endometrium: glandular layer; two regions: basilar zone and functional zone; changes
during cycle

perimetrium: incomplete serous membrane

Uterine cycle: menstrual cycle: changes in structure of the functional zone; 28 days
1. Menses: breakdown of the functional zone; menstruation; spiral arteries close off
2.

Proliferative phase: regeneration of the functional zone; spiral arteries also regenerate
a. formation of spiral glands (mucous glands); aka: uterine glands

(***Ovulation occurs***)

3.

Secretory phase: increase in size and secretion of glands of the endometrium; regulated
by estrogens and progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum. If the corpus luteum
degenerates, the secretion will decrease and the uterine cycle will end
a. where implantation occurs

Menarche: first menstuation

Menopause: last uterine cycle
Hormones of the follicular phase: 1st fourteen days of ovarian cycle
1. FSH: stimulate follicle development and maturation-a primer
2. Estrogens (secreted by the granulosa cells)

regulates uterus; helps functional zone

stimulates bone growth and muscle growth

maintenances of secondary sexual characteristics

affects CNS

maintenance of reproductive organs and glands

initiates repair and growth of the endometrium

Hormones of the luteal phase: 2nd 14 days of ovarian cycle

1. LH triggers ovulation: peaks on day 14!
2. Progesterone (secreted by the corpus luteum)

prepares the uterus for pregnancy

decreases hypothalamic secretion of GnRH which in turn reduces the amount of LH and
FSH release by the pituitary

signal to uterus that pregnancy can occur

secretory phase; maturation of endometrium