Reproductive System
Female Sex Hormones
Anatomy of Sperm
head- contains nucleus with DNA inside
acrosome- anterior portion of head, contains enzyme needed for penetration the female egg
midpiece- contains mitochondria that provide energy, ATP, for journey through the female reproductive system
flagella (tail)- only human cell with a tail
Male Reproductive System
Ductus system- delivery of male gamete (sperm)
Accessory organs- secondary sex organs
epididymis
ductus deferens (vas deferens)
urethra
seminal vesicle
prostate gland
External genitalia
penis
scrotum
Testes
Covering of testis
each lobule contains one to four seminiferous tubules
tightly coiled structures
function as sperm-producing factories
sertoli cells- provide nutrients and supportive function
empty sperm into the rete testis
sperm travels through the rete testis to the epididymis
interstitial (leydig) cell
found surrounding seminiferous tubules produce androgens
tunica albuginea
septa
outer shell or the capsule surrounding the testes
extention of the capsule that extend into the testis and divide it into lobules
Spermatogenesis
production of sperm cells
begins of sperm cells
takes about 64 to 72 days
produces several hundred million sperm each day
spermatoza move to epididymis for further maturation and storage
Gonads
primary sex organ which produces specialized cells called gametes
testes- male primary sex organ
ovaries- female primary sex organ
produces ova or eggs (female gametes)
produces sperm (male gametes)
Male Sex Hormones
Inhibin
released by the testes when high levels of testosterone are present to release stimulate hypothalamus to release gonadotropin inhibiting hormone to stop production of LH and FSH
Lutinizing Hormone (lH)
stimulates seminiferous tubules to secrete testosterone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)at puberty stimulates sertoli cells for sperm production and maturation
release by anterior pituitary gland in the brain
release by anterior pituitary gland in the brain
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
released by hypothalamus in the brain to stimulate anterior pituitary gland to release LH and FSH
triggered by low levels of testosterone
controlled by negative feedback
Testosterone
stimulates reproductive organ development and sex drive
secondary sex characteristics
deepening of voice
increased hair growth
enlargement of skeletal muscles
thickening of bones
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
released by hypothalamus in the brain to stimulate anterior pituitary gland to release LH and FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
stimulates the development annd maturation of primary follicle into secondary follicle
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
spike of hormone will trigger ovulation of the most mature follicle (only one)
Inhibin
decrease release of FSH by anterior pituitary gland
Estrogen
primary female sex hormone released by developing follicle
low levels causes release of FSH
high levels cause release of LH and GnRH
Thickening of uterine wall
breast development
skeletal muscle growth and bone thickening
widening of hips
appearance of bodily hair
increase in fat beneath the skin
onset on menses
Progesterone
triggers suppression on the hypothalamus from releasing GnRH
Estrogen, inhibin, and progesterone all released by corpus luteum (shell left after release of muture oocyte from the mature follicle)
stimulates the development and growth of the lining of the uterine wall to get ready for implantaion
Bacterial STDs
symptoms
no symptoms
sores
blood in urine
burning sensation during urination
rashes and itching
bumps
warts
unusual discharge
also called sexually transmitted infections (STI)
STDs are infections which are capable of being spread from person to person through sexual intercourse or oral-genital contact in non-sexual ways
Chlamydia
most common STD
caused by bacteria
can be cured by antibiotics
male symptoms
female symptoms
discharge from penis and/or burning during urination
burning and itching around urethral openis of penis
pain and swelling in testicles
low grade fever due to inflammation of testicles or epididymis
no symptoms
white or grey vaginal discharge or burning during urination
lower pelvis or abdominal pain (pelvic inflammatory disease or PID)
low grade fever due to infection as infection progresses
Gonorrhea
caused by a bacteria
spread from close sexual contact
can be spread from mother to child during child birth
can spread to other unlikely parts of body (mouth, throat, rectum)
male symptoms
yellow or white discharge from penis
burning/pain while urinating
frequent urination
swollen testicles
female symptoms
yellow or white discharge from vagina
burning or pain when urinating
bleeding between periods and heavier or more painful periods
nausea or fever
can be cured with antibiotics
Syphilis
goes symptom-less for years
caused by bacteria can be cured with antibiotics in early stages
spread from person to person through direct contact with syphilis sore, semen, or vaginal fluids
sores appear anywhere semen and vaginal fluids comes in contact with such as genitals, anus, rectum, lips, mouth, and eyes
symptoms go through various stages
early symptoms
painful sores at point of contact called chancres
chancres can turn to copper-colored skin rashes on hand and feet or cover entire body
later symptoms
fever, headache, loss of appetite
symptoms disappear but bacterium remains in body and travels to other organs including brain, eyes, heart etc., causing organ damage
can lead to death in 10-30 years due to heart attack or brain damage
Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
primary sex organ
female gonad, paired, almond-shaped organ on either side of uterus
fibrous capsule is called tunica albuginea
outer cortex houses developing female gamete, the oocyte, within follicles
Support for ovaries
Suspensory ligaments- secure ovary to lateral walls of pelvis
Ovarian ligament- attach to uterus
Broad ligament- encloses suspensory ligament
Oogenesis
process of producing ova or egg cells
total supply of eggs are present at birth
ovulation or ability to release eggs begins at puberty
reproductive ability ends at menopause
oocytes are matured in developing ovarian follicles
matures oocyte are called Graafian follicle just before being released
Ductus system
uterine (fallopian) tube
uterus
vagina
External Genitalia
mon pubis
labia
clitoris
Uterine (Fallopian) tubes
receive the ovulated oocyte
fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube
provide a site for fertilization
attached medially to the uterus
Regions of the uterine tube
infundibulum- open end is funnel-shaped (cone-shaped), not directly connect to ovary
fimbriae- finger-like projections at the distal end that draws the ovum into the uterine tube
cilia inside the uterine tube slowly move the oocyte towards the uterus (takes 3-4) days
Uterus
located between the urinary bladder and rectum
hollow organ
functions of the uterus
receive a fertilized egg
retain the fertilized egg
nourishes the fertilized egg
Regions of uterus
body- main portion
fundus- area where uterine tube enters
cervix- narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina or opening into the uterus
Walls of uterus
endometrium
inner layer
allows for implantation of a fertilized egg
sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs during menses
myometrium
perimetrium
outer visceral peritoneum (covering of abdominal organs)
middle layer of smooth muscle
Vagina
Mammary glands
found in both sexes but ceases to develop in males
modified sweat glands
responsible for milk production after birth by the hormone, prolactin
milk exits through the nipple
areola is the colored portion surrounding the nipple
extends from cervix to exterior of body (vaginal opening)
behind bladder and in front of rectum
serves as a birth canal
receives the penis during sexual intercourse
hymen- partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured
External Genitalia
also called the vulva
mons pubis- fatty pad overly the pubic area covered by pubic hair after puberty
labia- skin folds around the vaginal opening
labia majora- outer fold
labia minora- inner fold
vestibule
enclosed by labia majora
contains the opening to the urethra and greater vestibular gland or Bartholin's gland (produce mucus to reduce friction during sexual intercourse)
clitoris
contains erectile tissue
corresponds to male penis
Female reproductive cycle
reproductive cycle
typical cycle run 24-35 days, 28 on the average
two cycles:
ovarian cycle
uterine (menstrual) cycle
occurs in the ovaries leading to the maturartion and ovulation of the mature oocyte
made up of follicular phase (before ovulation) and luteal phase (after ovulation)
occurs in the uterus to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum
made up of menstrual phase, proliferative phase (before ovulation), and secretory phase (after ovulation)
ovarian cycle
follicular phase
day 1-14
extends from the beginning of menstruation until ovulation
FSH causes follicular cells develop into primary follicle
follicular cells secrete estrogen to become secondary follicle
luteal phase
day 15-28
when follicle expels the oocyte, the empty shell becomes corpus luteum
corpus luteum secretes progesterone, some estrogen, and inhibin which suppresses FSH
in absence of pregnancy, corpus luteum becomes corpus albicans causing decrease in progesterone and estrogen
if pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum continues to secrete progesterone and estrogen
uterine/menstrual cycle
menstruation phase
day 1-5
decline of estrogen and progesterone cause the spiral arteries to constrict, cells become ischemic and die, and are sloughed off or shed
bleeding lasts for 3-5 days
proliferative phase
day 6-14
estrogen stimulates growth of blood vessels of the endometrium causing it to double in thickness
thickening of endometrium allows ovulated egg to be caught to cause implantation
secretory phase
day 15-28
uterine glands enlarge and secrete nutrients to sustain the embryo until implantation occurs
n response to rising levels of progesterone by the corpus luteum, the uterus becomes ready for pregnancy
if pregnancy does not occur, toward the end of phase, ZLH levels drop due to high levels of progesterone
progesterone levels drop following decline in LH, leading into menstrual phase
Viral & Parasitic STDs
Herpes
caused by a herpes virus
cannot be cures but can be treated with antiviral medication
males symptoms
female symptoms
small sores or cluster of blisters on penis
blisters in or around the vagina
fever and headaches
Genital/Veneral Warts
approximately 5.5 million new cases in U.S.
20 million people currently infected in U.S.
caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
no cure but prevent through vaccination
symptoms same for males and females
associated with cervical cancer in females
symptoms:
warts look like tiny cauliflowers
may cause itching, brining but most often do not cause pain
warts may be not detected in females because they are located internally
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
cause by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
spread through sexual intercourse but can be passed by sharing needles or from mother to baby through child birth or breast feeding
no cure, only treatment
symptoms:
no symptoms until immune system is activated
fever, fatigue (flu-like symptoms)
swollen lymph node
weight loss
opportunistic infection
Pubic Lice or Crabs
caused by a parasite that look like "crabs"
usually located around pubic area around the hair but can be found in axilla, eyelashes, and mustaches
spread through direct contact with lice even through bedding or clothing
symptoms:
a terrible, persisting itch around area
treated with shampoo or cream
Trichomoniasis
cause by a tiny parasite
most commonly in women
can be transmitted to baby during delivery
female symptoms:
itching and burning at the opening of vagina and vulva
painful frequent urination
heavy, unpleasant, frothy, greenish, yellow discharge
male symptoms:
no symptoms
or discomfort in urethra or inflamed head of penis
treatment through oral medication
Functions of Reproductive System
Female accessory organ
prepare for implantation (ovum adheres to the endometrium, inner lining wall of the uterus) and prepares for developing during pregnancy
delivery of the fetus during child birth
nurtures the baby after birth
Female reproductive system
functions in production of female gamete (ovum or egg) and preparation for support of developing embryo during pregnancy
Male accessory organ
produces and secretes seminal fluids
various ducts and tubes which act as delivery system for the male gamete
external genitalia made up of penis and scrotum
Male reproductive system
functions to produce and disseminate large quantity of male gamete
Reproductive system
reproduction- process by which new individuals (offspring) of a species are produced
sexual reproduction- reproduction involving two (male and female) parents
fertilization- fusion of egg and sperm produces a zygote
Penis
tubular organ through which distal portion of urethra passes
conducts urine to exterior
delivers semen into female reproductive tract
regions of penis
root- attached to body wall
shaft (bod)- free, movable portion of penis, contains three cylindrical columns of erectile tissue
glands penis (enlarged tip)- contains urethral opening
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