The Reproductive System

Sexual Development
• In humans, the reproductive system
produces, stores, and releases specialized
sex cells known as gametes.
• Sperm + egg = zygote, the single cell from
which all cells of the human body develop.
• Puberty is a period of rapid growth and
sexual maturation during which the
reproductive system becomes fully
functional.

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 Sexual Development
• When puberty ends, reproductive organs
are fully developed.
• Puberty usually begins between the ages of
9 and 15, and usually starts one year earlier
in females than in males.
• Puberty begins when the hypothalamus
signals the pituitary to produce increased
levels of two hormones that affect the
gonads: FSH and LH.

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 Male Reproductive System
• Release of FSH and LH stimulates cells in
the testes to produce testosterone.
• FSH and testosterone stimulate the
development of sperm.
• The main function of the male reproductive
system is to produce and deliver sperm.

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 Sperm Cell
Head
• A sperm cell consists
Nucleus
of:
• a head, which Midpiece
contains the
nucleus Mitochondria
• a midpiece, which
contains energy-
releasing
Tail
mitochondria
• a tail, which propels
the cell forward
Scrotum
• saclike structure containing the testes
• darker coloration than the rest of the body
• covered with sparse hair and wrinkled
• spermatogenesis is
affected by
extremes of
temperature while
testosterone
production is not
affected

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Scrotum
• environmental temperature affects the
scrotum: too hot---the dartos muscle relaxes
and the testes hangs or descend away from
the body

• too cold -----

the testes
contracts
and pull
closer to the
body

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 Testes

• The testes are

located in an
external sac
called the
scrotum.

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Testes
• The scrotum is
located outside the
body cavity, where
it is between 1 and
3 degrees cooler
than normal body
temperature. The
lower temperature
helps sperm
development.

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Seminiferous Tubules
• Within each testis
are clusters of
hundreds of tiny
tubules called
seminiferous
tubules.
• The seminiferous
tubules are tightly
coiled and twisted
together.

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Seminiferous Tubules
• Sperm are
produced in the
seminiferous
tubules.
• Sperm produced
in the
seminiferous
tubules move into
the epididymis,
where they
mature and are
stored.
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Vas Deferens
• From there, sperm
move into a tube
called the vas
deferens, which
extends up from
the scrotum into
the abdominal
cavity.

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 Vas Deferens

• The vas
deferens
merges with
the urethra,
the tube that
leads to the
outside of the
body through
the penis.

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Vas Deferens

• passageway of the
sperm cells from
the epididymis;
contractile power
of this area propels
the spermatozoa to
the urethra during
ejaculation

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Epididymis
• The site where sperm develops, matures
and waits for ejection.
• long coiled tube
approximately 20
feet long; where
sperm travels for
12- 20 days
• takes 64 days for
the sperm cells to
mature

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Other Parts
Ejaculatory Duct
• passageway for the semen
Seminal Vesscle
• a pouch like organ lying
behind the bladder and in
front of the rectum

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Other Parts

Prostate Gland
• walnut shaped body lying
below the bladder
• Surrounds the urethra and
the 2 ejaculatory ducts

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Other Parts
Cowper’s Gland
• Bulbourethral Glands
• located behind the
prostate gland
• secretes an alkaline
secretions that helps to
neutralize the acidic
nature of the urethra and
provides lubrication
during intercourse

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Epididymis
• The site where sperm develops, matures
and waits for ejection.
• long coiled tube
approximately 20
feet long; where
sperm travels for
12- 20 days
• takes 64 days for
the sperm cells to
mature

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Seminal Fluid
•Glands lining the reproductive tract produce
seminal fluid.
•Seminal fluid nourishes sperm and protects
them from the acidity of the female
reproductive tract.
•The combination of sperm
and seminal fluid is
called semen.
 Seminal Fluid

• a mixture of secretions from:

1. Ejaculatory ducts
2. Seminal Vesicles
3. Prostate glands
4. Cowpers Gland
 Seminal Fluid
• Semen Quality: measured by its ability to
accomplished fertilization
• Normal volume : 2-5ml/ejaculation
• 100 million sperm cells/ml
• a sperm count of
below 20 million is
associated with
infertility and sterility
 Female Reproductive System

Fallopian tube
Ovary

Uterus

Cervix
Urinary bladder
Rectum
Pubic bone
Vagina
Urethra
 Female Reproductive System
• The primary reproductive organs in the
female are the ovaries.
• The ovaries are located in the abdominal
cavity.
• The main function of the female
reproductive system is to produce eggs.
• In addition, the female reproductive system
prepares the female's body to nourish a
developing embryo.
 Female Reproductive System

Fallopian tube
Ovary

Uterus

Cervix
Urinary bladder
Rectum
Pubic bone
Vagina
Urethra
 Female Reproductive System
• Puberty in females starts when the
hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to
release FSH and LH.
• FSH stimulates cells within the ovaries to
produce estrogen.
 Female External
Reproductive System
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
 Female External
Reproductive System
MONS PUBIS
• pad of adipose tissue located over the
symphysis pubis (pubic bone joint)
• function: protect the junction of pubic
bone from trauma
• pubic hair growth is stimulated by
testosterone while the pattern of hair
growth is governed by estrogen
• Pattern of hair growth
 Female: Triangular
 Male:Diamond
 Female External
Reproductive System
LABIA MAJORA
• Two thick folds of adipose tissues
originating from the mons pubis and
terminating in the perineum
• - Main function: provide covering and
protection to the external organs located
under it
• Nulliparous women: in close apposition to
each other; but tends to gape wider after
birth
 Female External
Reproductive System
LABIA MINORA
• Two thin folds of connective tissue that
joins anteriorly to form the prepuce and
posteriorly to form the fourchette
• It is most highly vascular, sensitive and
richly supplied with sebaceous glands
• Nulliparous women: covers the vaginal
introitus, vestibule and urethra
 Female External
Reproductive System
CLITORIS
• highly sensitive and erectile tissue
situated under the prepuce of the labia
minora
• Covered by a fold of skin called prepuce;
Sensitive to both touch and temperature
 Female External
Reproductive System
VESTIBULE
• Triangular space between the labia
minora where the six (6) openings are
located:
1) Urethral Opening
2) Vaginal Opening
3) Opening of Bartholin’s Glands
4) Opening of Skene’s Glands
 Female External
Reproductive System
URETHRA / URETHRAL OPENING
• external opening of the female urethra
located in the midline of the vestibule just
below the clitoris
• shortness of the female
urethra makes women
more susceptible to UTI
than men
 Female External
Reproductive System
BARTHOLIN’S GLAND
• Lubricates the external vulva during coitus
with an alkaline secretions that enhances
sperm survival.
SKENE’S GLAND
• Its secretion help to
lubricate the external
genitalia during coitus
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
VAGINA
• a tubular musculomembranous structure
about 8-12 cm long that extends from the
vulva to the uterus
• Functions:
 excretory canal of the uterus through
which uterine secretions and menstrual
flow escape & forms the birth canal
 Female organ of copulation
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
UTERUS
• a hollow muscular canal resembling an
inverted pear that is situated in the true
pelvis
• Function:
 Organ of menstruation
 Uterine contraction for the expulsion of
the fetus during delivery and to seal torn
blood vessels after placental deliver
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
UTERUS
• Function:
 Organ of reproduction (main) – serves for
reception, implantation, retention and
nutrition of the fetus
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
FALLOPIAN TUBES
• Connects the uterus to the
ovaries
• Function: site for fertilization
 Female Internal
Reproductive System
OVARIES
• almond shaped glandular organs located on
each side of the uterus
• Functions:
oogenesis
ovulation
hormone production
 Egg Development
• When a follicle has matured, its egg is
released from the ovary in a process called
ovulation.
• The follicle breaks open, and the egg is
swept from the ovary into one of the two
Fallopian tubes.
• While in the Fallopian tube, an egg can be
fertilized.
 Egg Development
• After a few days, the egg passes from the
Fallopian tube into the uterus.
• If the egg is not fertilized it passes through
the cervix, and finally out of the vagina.
• The vagina leads to the outside of the body.
 Menstrual Cycle
• The menstrual cycle is controlled by internal
feedback mechanisms between the
reproductive system and the endocrine
system.
• The menstrual cycle has four phases:
 follicular phase
 ovulation
 luteal phase
 menstruation
 Menstrual Cycle
• The menstrual cycle takes an average of 28
days.
• During the menstrual cycle, an egg develops
and is released from an ovary.
• The uterus is prepared to receive a fertilized
egg.
• If the egg is fertilized, it is implanted in the
uterus and embryonic development begins.
• If the egg is not fertilized, it is discharged.
Menstrual Cycle
39–4 Fertilization and Development
 Fertilization
• When an egg is fertilized, human
development begins.
• In this process, a single cell undergoes a
series of cell divisions that results in the
formation of a new human being.
• During sexual intercourse, sperm are
released when semen is ejaculated through
the penis into the vagina.
• Sperm swim through the uterus into the
Fallopian tubes.
 Fertilization
• If an egg is present in one of the Fallopian
tubes, its chances of being fertilized are
good.
• The egg is surrounded by a protective layer
that contains binding sites to which sperm
can attach.
• When a sperm attaches to a binding site, its
head releases enzymes that break down the
protective layer of the egg.
 Fertilization
• The sperm nucleus enters the egg, and
chromosomes from the sperm and egg are
brought together. This is called ferlization.
• Fertilization results in zygote formation.
• The stages of early development include
implantation, gastrulation, and neurulation.
• While still in the Fallopian tube, the zygote
begins to undergo mitosis.
• Four days after fertilization, the embryo is a
solid ball of about 64 cells called a morula.
 Early Development
IMPLANTATION
• As the morula grows, it becomes a hollow
structure with an inner cavity called a
blastocyst.
• 6–7 days after fertilization, the blastocyst
attaches to the uterine wall.
• The embryo secretes enzymes that digest a
path into it.
• Blastocyst cells specialize due to the
activation of genes (DIFFERENTIATION).
 Fertilization

•Fertilization and Implantation

 Early Development
IMPLANTATION
• Differentiation, is responsible for the
development of the various types of tissue in
the body.
• A cluster of cells, known as the inner cell
mass, develops within the inner cavity of the
blastocyst.
• The embryo will develop from these cells,
while the other cells will differentiate into
tissues that surround the embryo.
 Early Development
GASTRULATION
• The inner cell mass of the blastocyst
gradually sorts itself into two layers, which
then give rise to a third layer.
• The third layer is produced by a process of
cell migration known as gastrulation.
GASTRULATION

Amniotic cavity

Primitive Mesoderm
streak

Ectoderm

Endoderm
 Early Development
GASTRULATION
• The ectoderm develops into the skin and
nervous system.
• The endoderm forms the digestive lining and
organs.
• Mesoderm cells differentiate into internal
tissues and organs.
GASTRULATION
•The result of gastrulation is the formation of
three cell layers—the ectoderm, the mesoderm,
and the endoderm.

Amniotic cavity

Primitive
streak
Mesoderm
Ectoderm

Endoderm
 Early Development
NEURULATION
• Neurulation is the development of the
nervous system.
• Shortly after gastrulation is complete, a
block of mesodermal tissue begins to
differentiate into the notochord.
• As the notochord develops, the neural
groove changes shape, producing neural
folds.
NEURULATION
NEURULATION
Neural fold
Neural crest

Notochord
NEURULATION
• Gradually, these folds move together to create a
neural tube from which the spinal cord and the
nervous system develop.
Neural crest Neural tube

Ectoderm

Notochord
 Fetal Development
Extraembryonic Membranes
• As the embryo develops, membranes form
to protect and nourish the embryo.
• Two of these membranes are the amnion
and the chorion.
• The amnion develops into a fluid-filled
amniotic sac.
• The amniotic sac cushions and protects the
developing embryo.
 Amniotic sac
Placenta

Umbilical cord

Uterus

Amnion

Fetus
 •Fingerlike projections called chorionic villi form
on the outer surface of the chorion and extend
into the uterine lining.
Fetal portion Maternal portion
of placenta of placenta Mom &
Chorionic villus baby
Amnion blood do
Umbilical cord
NOT
mix!!
Maternal
artery
Umbilical
arteries Maternal
vein
Umbilical
vein
Placenta
• The chorionic villi and
uterine lining form the
placenta.
• Lies between the
uterus and the
developing embryo
• provides nutrients
to the fetus.
• The placenta is the
embryo's organ of
respiration,
nourishment, and
excretion.
 Fetal Development
PLACENTA
• The placenta acts as a barrier to some
harmful or disease-causing agents.
• Some disease causing agents, such as
German measles and HIV can cross the
placenta.
• Some drugs, including alcohol and
medications also can penetrate the
placenta and affect development.
 Fetal Development
PLACENTA
• After eight weeks, the embryo is called a
fetus.
• After three months, most major organs and
tissues are formed. During this time, the
umbilical cord also forms.
• The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the
placenta.
 Control of Development
• The fates of many cells in the early embryo
are not fixed.
• The inner cell mass contains embryonic
stem cells, unspecialized cells that can
differentiate into nearly any specialized cell
type.
• Researchers are still learning the
mechanisms that control stem cell
differentiation.
 Later Development
4–6 months after fertilization:
• The heart can be heard with a stethoscope.
• Bone replaces cartilage that forms the early
skeleton.
• A layer of soft hair grows over the fetus’s
skin.
• The fetus grows and the mother can feel it
moving.
 Later Development
During the last three months
• the organ systems mature.
• The fetus doubles in mass.
• It can now regulate its body temperature.
• The central nervous system and lungs
completely develop.
 Later Development
Childbirth
• About nine months after fertilization, the fetus
is ready for birth.
• A complex set of factors affects the onset of
childbirth.
• The mother’s posterior pituitary gland
releases the hormone oxytocin, which affects
involuntary muscles in the uterine wall.
• These muscles begin rhythmic contractions
known as labor.
 Later Development
Childbirth
• The contractions become more frequent and
more powerful.
• The opening of the cervix expands until it is
large enough for the head of the baby to pass
through it.
• At some point, the amniotic sac breaks, and
the fluid it contains rushes out of the vagina.
• Contractions force the baby out through the
vagina.
39-1
Cells that have receptors for a
particular hormone are called
a. nerve cells.
b. target cells.
c. exocrine cells.
d. endocrine cells.
39-1
Chemicals that travel through the
bloodstream and affect the activities of
other cells are known as
a. hormones.
b. receptors.
c. enzymes.
d. messengers.
39-1

Which group of hormones act on target

cells by binding directly to DNA in the
nucleus?
a. steroids
b. nonsteroids
c. proteins
d. second messengers
39-2

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that

results when the pancreas fails to
produce or properly use
a. glucose.
b. insulin.
c. glucagon.
d. carbohydrate.
39-2

Metabolism is regulated by
a. thyroxine.
b. parathyroid hormone.
c. epinephrine.
d. estrogen.
39-2

The gonads are the body's

a. target cells.
b. exocrine glands.
c. reproductive glands.
d. reproductive cells.
39-2

The endocrine glands responsible for

maintaining homeostasis of calcium in
the blood are the
a. thyroid and parathyroid glands.
b. adrenal and pituitary glands.
c. hypothalamus and thyroid glands.
d. gonads.
39-2
Epinephrine is a hormone produced by
the adrenal medulla and is responsible
for
a. the “fight or flight” response to stress.

b. controlling the level of insulin in the

blood.
c. maintaining proper levels of sodium
and potassium in the blood.
d. regulating the water content of the
body.
39-3

The process in which a mature egg is

released from the follicle of an ovary is
known as
a. fertilization.
b. ovulation.
c. menstruation.
d. meiosis.
39-3

An egg passes from a Fallopian tube

into the cavity of the
a. ovary.
b. vagina.
c. uterus.
d. cervix.
Which statement best describes male sperm
cells?
a. They are motile, produced in small numbers,
and larger than most body cells.
b. They are motile, produced in large numbers,
and smaller than most body cells.
c. They are nonmotile, produced in small
numbers, and larger than most body cells.

d. They are nonmotile, produced in large

numbers, and smaller than most body cells.
39–4

Fertilization takes place in the

a. ovary.
b. Fallopian tube.
c. cavity of the uterus.
d. cervix.
39–4

The process in which a blastocyst

attaches to the wall of the uterus is
called
a. fertilization.
b. implantation.
c. gastrulation.
d. neurulation.
39–4

The central nervous system develops

during which phase of early
development?
a. gastrulation
b. neurulation
c. implantation
d. fertilization
39–4

The placenta is a structure that

a. belongs entirely to the mother.
b. belongs entirely to the fetus.
c. brings blood from the mother and
fetus close together.
d. provides an impermeable barrier
between the mother and the fetus.
39–4

Which of the following is not a primary

germ layer?
a. neural tube
b. endoderm
c. ectoderm
d. mesoderm