SanchezCindyReproductive.pdf
MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ANATOMY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES
ANATOMY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES
MALE HORMONES:
Reproduction: process by which new individuals (offspring) of a species are produced.
Sexual production: Involves two male and female parents.
Testes- primary sex organ
Sperm- male gamete that lives 30-60 days after maturation, can live in the vagina for 72 hours. Males 14 years of age can already produce sperm, can produce several hundred million per day.
Ductus system- delivery of male gamete
Epididymis- Comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube that functions to mature and store sperm cells.
Vas Deferens- also known as ductus deferens, functions to carry sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. It passes through the inguinal canal and over the urinary bladder.
Urethra- extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis. Carries both sperm and urine.
Semen- milky white, sticky mixture of secretions from many glands.
Seminal Vesicle- produces a thick, alkaline, yellowish secretion. Located at the base of the urinary bladder. Nourishes the sperm and activates them.
Prostate gland- Secretes a milky fluid that helps activate sperm. Encircles the upper part of the urethra, shape of a chestnut and makes up 25% of semen.
Bulbourethral gland- also known as cowper's gland, is located at the base of the penis below the prostate. It secretes an alkaline mucus in response to sexual stimulation, and lubricates the penis for penetration.
Scrotum- divided sac of skin outside the abdomen that holds the testes. It maintains the testes at 3 degrees celscius lower than normal body temperature to protect sperm viability.
Penis- Tubular organ through which distal portion of urethra passes. Delivers urine to exterior, delivers semen into female reproductive tract.
Leutinizing Hormone (LH)- stimulates seminiferous tubules to secrete testosterone.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)- At puberty stimulates sertoli cells for sperm production and maturation, and inhibin.
Both LH and FSH are released by anterior pituitary gland in the brain.
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)- Released to stimulate anterior pituitary gland to release LH and FSH.
Testosterone- Stimulates reproductive organ development and sex drive male and female.
Inhibin- Released by the testes when high levels of testosterone are present to stimulate hypothalamus to release gonadotropin inhibiting hormone (GnIH) to STOP production of LH and FSH.
Ovaries- primary female sex organs. Female gonad. They are paired, almond-shaped organ on either side of the uterus.
Suspensory ligament- secures ovary to lateral walls of pelvis
Ovarian ligament- attach ovary to uterus
Broad ligament- encloses suspensory ligament
Ductus system- delivery of female gamete
Uterine Fallopian Tube- receive the ovulated oocyte, provides a site for fertilization, attached medially to the uterus, does not physically attach to the ovary, supported by the broad ligament
Fimbriae- finger-like projections at the distal end that receive the oocyte from the ovary.
Cilia- inside the uterine tube slowly move the oocyte towards the uterus takes 3-4 days.
Fertilization occurs inside the Fallopian tubes.
Tubal Ligation- Uterine tubes are cut and ligated (tied).
Uterus- Located between the urinary bladder and rectum, functions to receive a fertilized egg, retain the fertilized egg, and nourishes the fertilized egg.
Support for uterus- Broad ligament: attached to the pelvis
Round ligament: anchor interiorly
Uterosacral ligament: anchored posteriorly
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 implantaion of the fertilized egg, Myometrium- Middle layer of smooth muscle , Perimetrium- outer visceral peritoneum( covering pf abdominal organs).
Vagina- extends form to the cervix to the exterior of the body, behind the bladder and in front of rectum, serves at birth control, receives penis during sexual intercourse
Hymen- membrane that partially closes the vaginal opening
External Genitalia- also called the vulva, Mon pubis: fatty pad over the pubic symphysis, covered by pubic hair after puberty
Labia- skin folds around the vaginal opening
Labia majora- outer fold
Labia minora- inner fold
Vestibule- area enclosed by labia majora, contains the opening to the urethra and greater vestibular gland or bartholin's gland (produce mucus).
Clitoris- contains erectile tissue, corresponds to the male penis, can become engorged with blood during sexual stimulation
Mammary gland- modified sweat glands, present in both sexes, stimulated by sex hormones to increase in size
FEMALE HORMONES
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)- released by hypothlamus in the brain to stimulate anterior pituitary gland to release LH and FSH (same as males).
FSH- stimulates the development and maturation of primary follicle into secondary follicle.
LH- spike of hormone will trigger ovulation of the most mature follicle.
Inhibin- decrease release of FSH by anterior pituitary gland
Estrogen- primary female sex hormone released by follicle in the ovary.
Progesterone- triggers suppression of the hypothalamus from the releasing of GnRH.
FEMALE HORMONAL CYCLE
Ovarian Cycle- occurs in the ovaries leading to the maturation and ovulation of the mature oocyte. It is made up of follicular phase before ovulation and luteal phase after ovulation. It is day 1-14. It extends from the beginning of menstration until ovulation. FSH causes follicular cells to develop into primary follicle. Follicular cells secrete estrogen to become secondary follicle.
Uterine Menstration Cycle- Occurs in the uterus to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum. It is made up of the menstrual phase, proliferative phase before ovulation, and secretory phase after ovulation. Ovulation kits check LH levels in urine. Menstration: Day 1-5. There is a decline of estrogen and progesterone causes spiral arteries to constrict, and cells become ischemic and die, and are sloughed off or shed through bleeding. Bleeding lasts for 3-5 days.
Ovulation- occurs on Day 14. Triggered by sudden spike increase in LH caused by steady increase inestrogen stimulating the pituitary gland. Graafian follicle releases the oocyte
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
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. The uterus becomes ready for pregnancy. Uterine glands enlarge and secrete nutrients to sustain the embryo until implantation occurs.
Menopause- Menstrual cycle ceases. Lasts 45-55 days. The ovaries no longer responsive to hormones released by anteruor pituitary. Common causes: Dizziness, hot flashes, headaches, insomia, sleepiness.
DISORDERS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Down syndrome- extra 21 chromosome; leads to mental impairment.
Klinefelter's syndrome- extra x chromosme in standard male carryotype; leads to weak muscles and bones
Turner syndrome- 2nd x sex chromosome is missing