Endocrinology of reproduction

Reproductive System

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Anatomy of Male Reproductive System

Testes Series of ducts
Epididymides Ductus deferentia Urethra

Supporting structures
Scrotum
2 chambered sac that contains testes Dartos and cremaster muscles help regulate temperature

Accessory glands
Seminal vesicles Prostate gland Bulbourethral glands

Penis

Perineum
Diamond-shaped areas between thighs
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Male Pelvis

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Testes
Glands
Exocrine Endocrine

Descent
Pass from abdominal cavity through inguinal canal to scrotum

Compartments divided by septa

Seminiferous tubules
Empty into rete testis Empties into efferent ductules

Cryptorchidism
Failure of of one or both of testes to descend into scrotum Prevents normal sperm development

Interstitial or Leydig cells

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Histology of Testis

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Descent of Testes

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Sperm Cell Development

Spermatozoa produced in seminiferous tubules Spermatogonia divide (mitosis) to form primary spermatocytes Primary spermatocytes (first division of meiosis) divide to form secondary spermatocytes Secondary spermatocytes (second division of meiosis) divide to form spermatids Spermatids develop an acrosome and flagellum Sertoli cells nourish sperm cells and form a blood-testis barrier and produce hormones
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Spermatogenesis

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Meiosis

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Ducts
Epididymis
Site of sperm cell maturation

Urethra
Extends from urinary bladder to distal end of penis Passageway for urine and male reproductive fluids 3 parts
Prostatic urethra Membranous urethra Spongy or penile urethra
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Ductus deferens or vas deferens

Passes from epididymis into abdominal cavity

Ejaculatory duct
Joining of ductus deferens and seminal vesicle

Male Reproductive Structures

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Penis
Three columns of erectile tissue that engorge with blood
Corpora cavernosa (2) Corpus spongiosum (1)

Glans penis
Prepuce or foreskin covers
Circumcision: Surgical removal

External urethra orifice

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Penis

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Accessory Glands
Bulbourethral glands

Seminal vesicles
Empty into ejaculatory duct Produce about 60% of semen

Contribute about 5% to semen

Secretions
Semen
Composite of sperm cells and secretions

Prostate gland
Produces about 30% of semen

Emission
Discharge of semen into prostatic urethra

Ejaculation
Forceful expulsion of semen from urethra
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Regulation of Sex Hormone Secretion

Hypothalamus releases
GnRH or LHRH which stimulates
LH or ICSH to produce testosterone FSH to stimulate sperm cell formation Inhibin inhibits FSH secretion from anterior pituitary

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Puberty and Testosterone

Puberty
Age at which individuals become capable of sexual reproduction
Before puberty small amounts of testosterone inhibit GnRH release During puberty testosterone does not completely suppress GnRH release, resulting in increased FSH,LH, and testosterone

Testosterone
Produced by interstitial cells, adrenal cortex and sustentacular cells Causes development of male sex organs in embryo, stimulates descent of testes, causes enlargement of genitals and necessary for sperm cell formation
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Male Sexual Behavior and Male Sex Act

Male sexual behavior
Testosterone required to initiate and maintain

Male sex act

Complex series of reflexes that result in erection of penis, secretion of mucus into urethra, emission, ejaculation Sensations result in orgasm associated with ejaculation and then resolution
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Neural Control of Erection

Stimulation
Tactile or psychological Parasympathetic
Erection due to vasodilation of blood vessels

Sympathetic
Causes erection, emission, ejaculation

Erectile Dysfunction
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Anatomy of Female Reproductive System

Female reproductive organs
Ovaries Uterine tubes Uterus Vagina External genital organs Mammary glands
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Female Pelvis

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Uterus, Vagina, Uterine Tubes, Ovaries and Supporting Ligaments

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Ovary Histology

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Maturation of Follicle and Oocyte

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Maturation and Fertilization of Oocyte

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Follicle and Oocyte Development

Oogenesis is the production of a secondary oocyte in ovaries Oogonia are cells from which oocytes develop Primary oocytes are surround by granulosa cells and called a primordial follicle Primordial follicle becomes a primary follicle when oocyte enlarges and cells change Primary follicle becomes secondary follicle and enlarges to form mature or graafian follicle
Usually only one is ovulated, others degenerate

Primary oocyte completes first meiotic division to produce secondary oocyte and a polar body Secondary oocyte begins second meiotic division, which stops in metaphase II
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Ovulation and Follicle Fate

Ovulation
Follicle swells and ruptures, secondary oocyte is released from ovary Second meiotic division completed when secondary oocyte unites with sperm cell to form zygote

Fate of the follicle

Graafian follicle become corpus luteum If fertilization occurs, corpus luteum persists If no fertilization, becomes corpus albicans

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Uterine Tubes and Uterus

Uterine or fallopian tubes or oviducts
Open directly into peritoneal cavity to receive oocyte from ovary Transport oocyte or zygote from ovary to uterus

Uterus
Parts: Body, isthmus, cervix Composed of 3 layers
Perimetrium: Serous membrane Myometrium: Smooth muscle Endometrium: Mucous membrane

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Vagina and Perineum

Perineum

Vagina
Female organ of copulation Allows menstrual flow and childbirth Hymen covers the vaginal opening or orifice

Divided into two triangles

Urogenital: Contains the external genitalia Anal triangle

Clinical perineum
Region between vagina and anus Episiotomy: Incision to prevent tearing during childbirth
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Female External Genitalia

Vulva or pudendum or external female genitalia
Vestibule: Space
Labia minora: Form borders on sides Clitoris: Erectile structure
Corpora cavernosa Corpora spongiosa

Labia majora
Unite to form mons pubis

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Female Perineum

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Mammary Glands
Organs of milk production located within mammae or breasts
Consist of glandular lobes and adipose tissue Coopers ligaments support the breasts

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Puberty and Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Cycle

Puberty
Begins with menarche or first episode of menstrual bleeding Begins when GnRH levels increase

About 28 days long Phases

Menses Proliferative phase Secretory phase Menses

Amenorrhea: Absence of a menstrual cycle Menopause: Cessation of menstrual cycles

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Menstrual Cycle

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Hormone Regulation during Menstrual Cycle

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Female Sexual Behavior and Sex Act

Female sexual behavior
Depends on hormones
Androgens and steroids

Female sex act

Parasympathetic stimulation
Blood engorgement in clitoris and around vaginal opening Erect nipples Mucouslike fluid extruded into vagina and through wall

Depends on psychological factors

Orgasm not necessary for fertilization to occur

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Female Fertility and Pregnancy

Female fertility
Sperm ejaculated into vagina during copulation and transported through cervix and uterine tubes to ampulla Sperm cells undergo capacitation

Pregnancy
Oocyte can be fertilized up to 24 hours after ovulation Sperm cells can be viable for up to 6 days in female tract Ectopic pregnancy: Implantation occurs anywhere other than uterine cavity
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Sperm Cell Movement

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Changes in Hormones During Pregnancy

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Control of Pregnancy
Behavioral methods
Abstinence Coitus interruptus Rhythm method

Lactation Chemical methods

Oral contraceptives Injections as DepoProvera Implants Morning-after pills

Barrier methods
Condom
Male and female

Diaphragm Cervical cap Spermicidal agents

Surgical methods
Vasectomy Tubal ligation Abortions
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Effects of Aging
Male
Decrease in size and weight of testes Decrease in sperm production Prostate gland enlarges and increase in cancer Impotence is agerelated Decrease in sexual activity

Female
Menopause Decrease in size of uterus and vaginal wall thins Age related increase in breast, uterine, ovarian cancer

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