BIOLOGY (S.S.

2)

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS IN VERTEBRATES

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able

to;

1. Explain internal and external fertilization.

2. Describe these terms; oviparity, viviparity and oviviparity and give

examples of animals involved.

3. Identify the parts of male and female reproductive systems in

vertebrates (mammals, fishes, amphibians, birds and reptiles).

4. State the functions of parts of male and female reproductive systems

in vertebrates.

Meaning of Reproduction: Reproduction is the process by which living

organisms give rise to /produce young ones (offspring) of the same kind or
species.

The reproductive systems of vertebrates consist of gonads (for the

production of sex cells or gametes) and reproductive ducts and glands (for
secretion of essential substances).

For reproduction to occur there must be fusion of male and female

gametes, a process known as fertilization. There are two types of
fertilization;

1. Internal fertilization

2. External fertilization
 1. Internal fertilization: This is the type of fertilization that occurs
inside the body of the female parent. The male animal introduces
spermatozoa into the body of the female during mating/copulation.
A sperm cell then fertilizes the egg to form a zygote. This type of
fertilization occurs in most reptiles, birds and mammals.

2. External fertilization: This is the type of fertilization in which the

eggs are laid into the external environment (usually inside water
bodies). The sperms fertilize the eggs outside the female’s body.
This kind of fertilization is seen in some fishes and amphibians.

TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH REPRODUCTION IN VERTEBRATES

1. OVIPARITY: This is a reproductive process in which the female

organism lays eggs into the external environment. The eggs
may be fertilized internally or externally. Oviparous Vertebrates
include fishes, amphibians, birds, reptiles, duck-billed platypus
(mammal). In oviparity, the developing embryo derives its
nutrients from the yolk in the egg and after full development;
they hatch out of the eggs.

2. VIVIPARITY: the young ones develop inside the body of the

female and obtain nourishment from the mother. When the
young one(s) develop fully, they are given birth to alive. The
female parent carries the embryo inside her body throughout
the gestation period (period of pregnancy). Examples of
viviparous animals are all mammals, some fishes and some
reptiles.

3. OVIVIPARITY/OVOVIPARITY: the eggs are retained inside the

body of the female but the embryo derives its nutrients from the
yolk in the egg and not directly from the mother. The eggs
hatch after full development and the young ones are released
out of the body of the female parent. Examples can be seen in
 reptiles like snakes and some fishes like basking shark.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS IN MAMMALS

Reproductive System of Man: Male reproductive system of man is made up

of primary sex organs(testes) and the secondary sex organs (vas diferens,
epididymis,urethr urethra, penis, scrotal sacs, seminal vesicle, prostate
gland and Cowper’s gland.

1) The testes. The testes are two ovoid shaped structures found outside
the abdominal cavity in sacs called scrotum. In a young male, the
testes are found in the lower part of the abdomen. At puberty, they
descend into the scrotal sacs for the production of spermatozoa and
the male sex hormone, testosterone. The two testes are separated
from each other by the scrotal septum. The iliac artery and vein are
blood vessels that supply blood to the testes. The two major
functions of the testes are

i. They produce spermatozoa within seminiferous tubules.

ii. They also produce/secrete hormones like androgens and

testosterone for the appearance of secondary sexual
characteristics.

2. Epididymis: This is a highly coiled tube which stores spermatozoa

temporarily before they are moved through the vas deferens/ sperm
duct to the seminal vesicle.

3. Penis: This is the only erectile organ in the male reproductive system.
It is used for introducing spermatozoa into the vagina of the female
during copulation.

4. Urethra: This is the tube or opening in the penis which is used for the
passage of urine and spermatozoa into the exterior. Therefore , it is
urogenital in function.

5. Vas deferens/sperm duct: transports sperm cells from the

 epididymis to the seminal vesicle.

6. Seminal vesicles are sac-like glands which, together with prostate

glandand Cowper's land, produce a sticky alkaline fluid called semen
or seminal fluid. The sperm cells are embedded in this fluid. The
seminal fluid activates the sperm cells by providing them with
nutrients and suitable temperature for the normal functioning of the
sperm cells. Its alkaline pH reduces the acidity of the vagina to a
suitable pH for the survival and functioning of sperm cells. It also
lubricates the vagina during coitus.

7. Scrotum (scrotal sac) : These sacs house the testes and protect it.
They also help in maintaining the temperature of the testis (about
350C) to enhance sperm production.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN HUMANS

1. Primary sex organs: The primary sex organs in female mammals

are the two ovaries. They are ovoid shaped structures found in the
lower part of the abdomen of females and are attached to the
uterus by the ovarian ligaments. The major functions of the
ovaries are

a. They produce eggs.

b. They also produce female sex hormones such as

progesterone and estrogen.

2. Female Secondary sex organs.

I. Oviduct/fallopian tubes: are two tubes that open at the

ovaries and extend towards the uterus. They are funnel
shaped and perform these performs;

a. They provide sites for fertilization of ovum (egg).

b. They carry ovum from the ovary to the uterus by

peristalsis.

c. They also assist in the nourishment of the zygote during

the early stage of fertilization.

II. Uterus (womb): This is a muscular tube where the zygote is

implanted. Development of embryo and foetus occurs here.
It also plays a role in childbirth by the contraction and
relaxation of the uterine wall. The uterus is lined externally by
a membrane called peritoneum and internally by a
membrane called endometrium. The uterine membrane
contains smooth muscle called myometrium which
contracts and relaxes during childbirth.
III. Vagina: This is a muscular canal that extends from the
uterus to the vulva. The functions of vagina include;

a. It acts as a canal for the expulsion of foetus.

b. It provides site for the deposition of semen.

c. It allows menstrual flow.

d. It produces lactic acid (by its mucous epithelium) which

kills germs in the vagina.

IV. Clitoris: This is the erectile organ found in the vulva. It

becomes erect during coitus.

V. Vulva: This is the external part of the female reproductive

system in man. It is made up of the clitoris, labia minora and
labia majora.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS OF FISHES AND AMPHIBIANS

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS: Male fishes and amphibians have two

testes for production of spermatozoa. Each testis is joined by fine tubules
called vasa efferentia to sperm-conducting tubules in the anterior part of
the kidney. These kidney tubules drains into a common duct called Wolffian
duct. The Wolffian duct transports both urine and sperms into the cloaca.
In some frogs and toads, each Wolffian duct enlarges at its posterior region
to form a sac called seminal vesicle where sperm cells are stored until
copulation.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS OF FISHES AND AMPHIBIANS

Female fishes and amphibians have two ovaries which produce egg cells
with small amount of yolks. The eggs are discharged into the oviducts
through the body cavity. As the eggs travel along the oviduct, gland located
on the walls of the oviduct produce albumen which coats the eggs. The
eggs leave the body through the cloaca.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS OF REPTILES AND BIRDS

Male Reproductive System of Reptiles: Male lizards and snakes have a

pair of copulatory organs called hemipenes. The hemipenes are sac-like
and lack erectile tissue. They are found at the base of the tail. Only one
is used at a time during copulation and are not involved in urination. The
reptiles have a pair of testes near the kidneys. A sperm duct from each
testis leads into the cloaca and joins the hemipenis. The hemipenis is
used to introduce sperm into the cloaca of the female.

Male Reproductive System of Birds: birds do not have penis. They have a
pair of testes for production of sperm cells. Sperm ducts from each
testis connect the testis to the cloaca. The sperm ducts expand at their
posterior end to form seminal vesicle where the sperm cells are stored
until copulation. During copulation, sperms are introduced from the
seminal vesicle to the female when their cloacae come in contact.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF REPTILES AND BIRDS

Female reptiles have two ovaries and oviducts. The oviducts open
internally into the body cavity and lead posteriorly to open into the
cloaca.

Female birds have one ovary and on oviduct. This is because only the
left side of the reproductive system is developed. The ovary produces
the eggs which are transferred into the oviduct through the body cavity.
At the oviduct, the eggs are covered with albumen, shell membranes and
shells secreted by glands at the posterior part of the oviduct, before they
are laid. The eggs are laid into the external environment through the
cloaca.