THE MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Description: Most organ systems of the body function almost continuously to

maintain the well-0being of the individual. The reproductive system becomes active

during puberty due to the maximal secretion of sex hormones. These hormones play

an important role in the development and function of the reproductive organs

influence both sexual behavior and drives. The reproductive role of male is the

sperm production while that of the female is the reproduction of ova. If time is

suitable for both sperm and ova to unite a fertilized egg will be produces. This is the

first cell of the new individual. After fertilization has occurred, the female uterus

provide environment for the embryo to develop as a fetus until birth.

 Table of Contents
I. Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
a. Testes
b. Duct System
 Epididymis
 Ductus deferens
 Urethra
c. Accessory Glands and Semen
 Seminal vesicles
 Prostate
 Bulbourethral glands
d. External Genitalia
 Scrotum
 Penis
II. Male Reproductive Functions
a. Spermatogenesis
 Meiosis
b. Spermiogenesis
c. Testosterone Production

III. Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System

a. Ovaries
 Ovarian follicles
 Ovary support
b. Duct system
 Uterine (fallopian) tubes
 Uterus
 Vagina
c. External genitalia
 Mons pubis
 Labia
 Clitoris
 Urethral orifice
 Vaginal orifice
 Greater vestibular glands
IV. Female Reproductive Functions and Cycles
 Oogenesis and the Ovarian Cycle
 Meiosis
V. Hormone Production by the Ovaries
VI. Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle
VII. Mammary Glands
 Parts of the mammary gland
VIII. Mammography
IX. Developmental Aspects of the Reproductive System
X. A Closer Look: Contraception
Learning Objectives
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Identify the structure of the male and female reproductive system and their
principal function.
2. Locate the male and female reproductive organs in the pictures and charts.
3. Identify the stages of the spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
4. Correlate the hormonal activities important in reproductive functions to
changes occurring in the ovary, uterus and testes.

Learning Outcome

After the completion of the chapter, students should be able to:

1. Name the internal parts of a testis

2. Explain the effects of testosterone on the male body

3. Describe the process of spermatogenesis

4. Follow the path of a sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the outside

5. Define semen and what glands contribute to its composition

6. Name the three part of the male urethra

7. Describe the development of a follicle before and after ovulations

8. Describe the process of oogenesis

9. Name the parts of the uterus

10. Name the external genitalia of the female describe the phases of menstrual cycle

11. Describe lactation and the function of the mammary glands

Instructional Flow

I. Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System

 Gonads—primary sex organs

 Testes in males

 Ovaries in females

 Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and secrete hormones

 Sperm—male gametes

 Ova (eggs)—female gametes

a. Testes

 Each testis is connected to the trunk via the spermatic cord, which houses:
 Blood vessels
 Nerves
 Ductus deferens
 Coverings of the testes
 Tunica albuginea—capsule that surrounds each testis
 Septa—extensions of the capsule that extend into the testis and
divide it into lobules
 Each lobule contains one to four seminiferous tubules
 Tightly coiled structures
 Function as sperm-forming factories
 Empty sperm into the rete testis
 Sperm travels from the rete testis to the epididymis
 Interstitial cells in the seminiferous tubules produce androgens such as
testosterone

b. Duct System

 Epididymis
 Highly convoluted tube 6 m (20 ft) long
 Found along the posterior lateral side of the testis
 First part of the male duct system
 Temporary storage site for immature sperm
 Sperm mature as they journey through the epididymis
  During ejaculation, sperm are propelled to the ductus deferens

 Ductus (vas) deferens

 Runs from the epididymis via the spermatic cord through the inguinal
canal and arches over the urinary bladder
 Ampulla—end of the ductus deferens, which empties into the
ejaculatory duct
 Ejaculatory duct—passes through the prostate to merge with
the urethra
 Ejaculation—smooth muscle in the walls of the ductus deferens create
peristaltic waves to squeeze sperm forward
 Moves sperm by peristalsis into the urethra
 Vasectomy—cutting of the ductus deferens at the level of the testes
prevents transportation of sperm (form of birth control)

 Urethra
 Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis
 Carries both urine and sperm
 Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
 Urethra regions
 Prostatic urethra—surrounded by prostate gland
 Membranous urethra—prostatic urethra to penis
 Spongy (penile) urethra—runs the length of the penis to the external
urethral orifice
 Ejaculation causes the internal urethra sphincter to close
 Prevents urine from passing into the urethra
 Prevents sperm from entering the urinary bladder

c. Accessory Glands and Semen

 Seminal vesicles

 Located at the base of the bladder

 Produce a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of semen) that contains:

 Fructose (sugar)

 Vitamin C

 Prostaglandins

 Other substances that nourish and activate sperm

  Duct of each seminal vesicle joins that of the ductus deferens on each
side to form the ejaculatory duct

 Prostate

 Encircles the upper (prostatic) part of the urethra

 Secretes a milky fluid

 Helps to activate sperm

 Fluid enters the urethra through several small ducts

 Bulbourethral glands

 Pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate

 Produce a thick, clear mucus

 Mucus cleanses the spongy (penile) urethra of acidic urine prior

to ejaculation

 Mucus serves as a lubricant during sexual intercourse

 Semen
 Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
 Components of accessory gland secretions
 Liquid portion acts as a transport medium to dilute sperm
 Sperm are streamlined cellular “tadpoles”
 Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
 Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic environment
of vagina
 Semen inhibits bacteria
d. External Genitalia
 Scrotum
 Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen that houses the testes
 Viable sperm cannot be produced at normal body temperature
 Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal body temperature

  Penis

 Male organ of copulation that delivers sperm into the female

reproductive tract
 Regions of the penis
 Shaft
 Glans penis (enlarged tip)
 Prepuce (foreskin)
 Folded cuff of skin around proximal end
 Often removed by circumcision
 Internally there are three areas of spongy erectile tissue around the
urethra
 Erections occur when this erectile tissue fills with blood during
sexual excitement

II. Male Reproductive Functions

 Chief roles of the male in the reproductive process

 Produce sperm
 Produce a hormone, testosterone

d. Spermatogenesis
 Sperm production
 Begins at puberty and continues throughout life
 Millions of sperm are made every day
 Sperm are formed in the seminiferous tubules of the testis
 Spermatogonia (primitive stem cells) begin the process by dividing
rapidly
 During puberty, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted in
increasing amounts
 Each division of a spermatogonium stem cell produces:
 Type A daughter cell, a stem cell, that continues the stem cell
population
 Type B daughter cell, which becomes a primary spermatocyte,
destined to undergo meiosis and form four sperm
  Meiosis
 Special type of nuclear division that differs from mitosis
 Occurs in the gonads
 Includes two successive divisions of the nucleus (meiosis I and II)
 Results in four daughter cells (gametes)
 Gametes are spermatids with 23 chromosomes
 23 chromosomes are half the usual 46 found in other body cells
 23 is known as the haploid number (n)—half the genetic material as
other body cells
 Union of a sperm (23 chromosomes, n) with an egg (23 chromosomes,
n) creates a zygote (2n, or 46 chromosomes)
 Spermiogenesis
 Spermatids are nonmotile and not functional as sperm
 A streamlining process is needed to strip excess cytoplasm from a
spermatid and modify it into a sperm
 A sperm has three regions: head, midpiece, tail
 Acrosome sits anterior to the sperm head (nucleus)
 The entire process of spermatogenesis, including
spermiogenesis, takes 64 to 72 days

e. Testosterone Production

 Testosterone

 Most important hormonal product of the testes

 Stimulates reproductive organ development
 Underlies sex drive
 Causes secondary sex characteristics
 Deepening of voice
 Increased hair growth
 Enlargement of skeletal muscles
 Increased bone growth and density
III. Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System

a. Ovaries

 Produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

 Each ovary houses ovarian follicles consisting of:
 Oocyte (immature egg)
 Follicle cells—layers of different cells that surround the oocyte
 Ovarian follicles

o Primary follicle—contains an immature oocyte

o Vesicular (Graafian) follicle—growing follicle with a

maturing oocyte

o Ovulation—the follicle ruptures when the egg is mature and

ready to be ejected from the ovary; occurs about every 28
days

o The ruptured follicle is transformed into a corpus luteum

 Ovary support

 Ovary support

o Suspensory ligaments secure the ovaries to the lateral

walls of the pelvis

o Ovarian ligaments anchor ovaries to the uterus medially

o Broad ligaments, a fold of peritoneum, enclose and hold the

ovaries in place

b. Duct system
a. Uterine (fallopian) tubes
 Form the initial part of the duct system
 Receive the ovulated oocyte from the ovaries
 Provide a site for fertilization
 Empty into the uterus
 Little or no contact between ovaries and uterine tubes
  Supported and enclosed by the broad ligament
 Uterine (fallopian) tube structure
 Infundibulum
 Distal, funnel-shaped end
 Fimbriae
 Fingerlike projections of the infundibulum
 Receive the oocyte from the ovary
 Cilia located inside the uterine tube transport the oocyte
c. Uterus

 Situated between the urinary bladder and rectum

 Size and shape of a pear, in a woman who has never been pregnant
 Receives, retains, nourishes a fertilized egg
Uterine support

 Broad ligament suspends the uterus in the pelvis

 Round ligament anchors the uterus anteriorly
 Uterosacral ligament anchors the uterus posteriorly
Regions of the uterus

 Body—main portion
 Fundus—superior rounded region above where uterine tube enters
 Cervix—narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina
Layers of the uterus

 Endometrium
i. Inner layer (mucosa)
ii. Site of implantation of a fertilized egg
iii. Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menstruation or menses)
 Myometrium is the middle layer of smooth muscle that contracts
during labor
 Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum) is the outermost serous layer of the
uterus

d. Vagina
  Passageway that extends from cervix to exterior of body and is located
between urinary bladder and rectum
 Serves as the canal that allows a baby or menstrual flow to leave the
body
 Female organ of copulation
 Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
 Hymen—partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured

e. External genitalia
 Mons pubis
o Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
o Covered with pubic hair after puberty

 Labia
o Labia majora
 Hair-covered skin folds
 Enclose the labia minora
 Also encloses the vestibule
o Labia minora—delicate, hair-free folds of skin
 Clitoris
o Contains erectile tissue
o Corresponds to the male penis
o The clitoris is similar to the penis in that it is:
 Hooded by a prepuce
 Composed of sensitive erectile tissue
 Swollen with blood during sexual excitement
o The clitoris lacks a reproductive duct

 Urethral orifice
 Vaginal orifice
 Vestibule
o Enclosed by labia majora
o Contains external openings of the urethra and vagina
  Greater vestibular glands
o One is found on each side of the vagina
o Secretions lubricate vagina during intercourse
 Perineum
o Diamond-shaped region between the anterior ends of the
labial folds, anus posteriorly, and ischial tuberosities laterally

IV. Female Reproductive Functions and Cycles

 The total supply of eggs is determined by the time a female is born

 Ability to release eggs begins at puberty with the onset of the menstrual cycle
 Reproductive ability ends at menopause (in female’s fifties)
Oogenesis and the Ovarian Cycle

 Oogenesis is the process of producing ova (eggs) in a female

o Oogonia are female stem cells found in a developing fetus
o Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes that are
surrounded by cells that form primary follicles in the ovary
 Primary oocytes are inactive until puberty
 Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes some primary follicles to mature
each month
 Cyclic monthly changes constitute the ovarian cycle

Meiosis
 Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle
o First meiotic division produces a larger secondary oocyte and a
smaller first polar body
o A vesicular follicle contains a secondary oocyte (maturation from a
primary follicle takes about 14 days)
 Ovulation of a secondary oocyte occurs with the release of luteinizing
hormone (LH)
 Secondary oocyte is released and surrounded by a corona radiata
 Meiosis is completed after ovulation only if sperm penetrates the oocyte
o Ovum is produced
 o Two additional polar bodies are produced
 Once ovum is formed, the 23 chromosomes can be combined with the 23
chromosomes of the sperm to form the fertilized egg (zygote)
 If the secondary oocyte is not penetrated by a sperm, it dies and does not
complete meiosis to form an ovum
 Meiosis
o Males—produces four functional sperm
o Females—produces one functional ovum and three tiny polar bodies
 Sex cell size and structure
o Sperm are tiny, motile, and equipped with nutrients in seminal fluid
o Egg is large, is nonmotile, and has nutrient reserves to nourish the
embryo until implantation

V. Hormone Production by the Ovaries

 Estrogens are produced by follicle cells

 Cause secondary sex characteristics
 Enlargement of accessory organs of the female reproductive
system
 Development of breasts
 Appearance of axillary and pubic hair
 Increase in fat beneath the skin, particularly in hips and breasts
 Widening and lightening of the pelvis
 Onset of menses (menstrual cycle)
 Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum
 Production continues until LH diminishes in the blood
 Does not contribute to the appearance of secondary sex characteristics
 Other major effects
 Helps maintain pregnancy
 Prepares the breasts for milk production

VI. Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

 Cyclic changes of the endometrium, about 28 days in length
  Regulated by cyclic production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries
 FSH and LH, from the anterior pituitary, regulate the production of estrogens
and progesterone by the ovaries
 Ovulation typically occurs about midway through cycle, on day 14
Stages of the menstrual cycle
 Menstrual phase
 Proliferative stage
 Secretory stage
 Days 1–5: menstrual phase
 Functional layer of the endometrium is sloughed
 Bleeding occurs for 3 to 5 days
 Ovarian hormones are at their lowest levels
 By day 5, growing ovarian follicles are producing more estrogen
 Days 6–14: proliferative stage
 Regeneration of functional layer of the endometrium
 Endometrium is repaired, thickens, and becomes well
vascularized
 Estrogen levels rise
 Ovulation occurs in the ovary at the end of this stage
 Days 15–28: secretory phase
 Levels of progesterone rise and increase the blood supply to the
endometrium, which becomes more vascular
 Endometrium increases in size and readies for implantation
 If fertilization does occur:
 Embryo produces a hormone that causes the corpus luteum to
continue producing its hormones
 If fertilization does NOT occur:
 Corpus luteum degenerates as LH blood levels decline
 The phases are repeated about every 28 days

VII. Mammary Glands

 Present in both sexes, but function only in females

 Modified sweat glands
  Function is to produce milk to nourish a newborn
 Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly estrogens) to increase in size

Parts of the mammary gland

o Areola—central pigmented area
o Nipple—protruding central area of areola
o Lobes—internal structures that radiate around nipple
o Lobules—located within each lobe and contain clusters of
alveolar glands
o Alveolar glands—produce milk when a woman is lactating
(producing milk)
o Lactiferous ducts—connect alveolar glands to nipple
o Lactiferous sinus—dilated portion where milk accumulates

VIII. Mammography

 Mammography is X-ray examination that detects breast cancers too small to

feel
 American Cancer Society recommends mammography annually for women
between 45 and 54 years old and every 2 years thereafter if the results are
normal
 Breast cancer is often signaled by a change in skin texture, puckering, or
leakage from the nipple

IX. Developmental Aspects of the Reproductive System

 Gender is determined at fertilization

 Males have XY sex chromosomes
 Females have XX sex chromosomes
 Reproductive system structures of males and females are identical during
early development
 Gonads do not begin to form until the eighth week
 The presence or absence of testosterone determines whether male or female
accessory reproductive organs will form
  The reproductive system is inactive during childhood
 Reproductive system organs do not function for childbearing until puberty
 Puberty usually begins between ages 10 and 15
 Males
 Enlargement of testes and scrotum signals onset of puberty (often
around age 13)
 Females
 Budding breasts signal puberty (often around age 11)
 Menarche—first menstrual period (usually occurs about 2 years later)
 Menopause—a whole year has passed without menstruation
 Ovaries stop functioning as endocrine organs
 Childbearing ability ends
 Hot flashes and mood changes may occur
 There is a no equivalent of menopause in males, but there is a steady decline
in testosterone

X. A Closer Look: Contraception

 Contraception—birth control

 Birth control pill—most-used contraceptive

 Relatively constant supply of ovarian hormones from pill is

similar to pregnancy

 Ovarian follicles do not mature, ovulation ceases,

menstrual flow is reduced

 Morning-after pill (MAP)

 Taken within 3 days of unprotected intercourse

 Disrupts normal hormonal signals to the point that

fertilization is prevented

 Other hormonal birth control devices cause cervical mucus to

thicken

 Minipill (tablet)

 Norplant (rods placed under the skin)

 Intrauterine device (IUD)

 Plastic or metal device inserted into uterus

 Prevents implantation of fertilized egg

 Sterilization

 Tubal ligation (females)—cut or cauterize uterine tubes

 Vasectomy (males)—cut or cauterize the ductus deferens

 Coitus interruptus—withdrawal of penis prior to ejaculation

 Rhythm (fertility awareness)—avoid intercourse during period of

ovulation or fertility

 Record daily basal temperature (body temperature rises

after ovulation)

 Record changes in pattern of cervical mucus

 Barrier methods

 Diaphragms

 Cervical caps

 Condoms

 Spermicidal foams

 Gels

 Sponges

 Abortion—termination of pregnancy

 Miscarriage—spontaneous abortion is common and frequently

occurs before a woman knows she is pregnant

 RU486, or “abortion pill”—induces miscarriage during first 7

weeks of pregnancy