Human Reproduction

Reproduction is the production of young ones by an organism. Humans are sexually reproducing and viviparous.

HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. Male Reproductive System c. Accessory glands
- It consists of paired testes, Accessory ducts, Accessory - Include a prostate gland, a pair of seminal vesicles and a
glands & external genitalia (penis). pair of Cowper’s glands (bulbo-urethral glands).
- Their collective secretion (seminal plasma) is rich in
fructose, Ca and enzymes.
- Seminal plasma + sperms → semen.
- Functions of seminal plasma:
• Helps for transporting sperms.
• Supplies nutrients to sperms.
• Provides alkalinity to counteract the acidity of uterus.
• Secretions of Cowper’s glands lubricate the penis.
- Secretions of epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle &
prostate help for maturation and motility of sperms.
a. Paired testes d. Penis (external genitalia)
- Primary sexorgans that produce sperms & testosterone. - It is a copulatory organ made of erectile spongy tissue.
- Testes are formed within the abdomen. Soon after the birth - When spongy tissue is filled with blood, the penis erects. It
or at the 8th month of pregnancy they descent into the facilitates insemination.
scrotal sac (scrotum) through inguinalcanal. - The cone-shaped tip of the penis is called glans penis. It is
- The low temperature (2-2.50 C less than the body covered by prepuce (foreskin).
temperature) of scrotum helps for proper functioning of 2. Female Reproductive System
testes and for spermatogenesis.
It includes Ovaries, Accessory ducts & Externalgenitalia.
- Each testis is oval shaped. Length 4-5 cm, width: 2-3 cm.
- Each testis has about 250 testicular lobules.
- Each lobule contains 1-3 coiled seminiferous tubules.
- Seminiferous tubule is lined internally with spermatogonia
(male germ cells) & Sertoli cells (supportingcells).
- Sertoli cells give shape and nourishment to developing
spermatogonia.
- The regions outside the seminiferous tubules (interstitial
spaces) contain small blood vessels, interstitial cells
(Leydig cells) and immunologically competent cells.
- Leydig cells secrete testicular hormones (androgens). a. Paired ovaries
- Primary sex organs which produce ova (female gamete) &
steroid ovarian hormones (estrogen & progesterone).
- Each ovary is 2-4 cm in length.
- They are located on both side of the lower abdomen and
connected to the pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments.
- Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses
the ovarian stroma.
- The stroma has outer cortex and inner medulla.
- Ovary contains groups of cells (Ovarian follicles). Each
follicle carries a centrally placed ovum.
b. Accessory ducts (Duct system)
b. Accessory ducts (Duct system)
Include 2 oviducts (Fallopian tubes), a uterus & vagina.
- Include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis & vas
➢ Oviducts: Each oviduct (10-12 cm long) has 3 parts:
deferens. They conduct sperms from testis as follows:
• Infundibulum: Funnel-shaped opening provided with
- Seminiferous tubules → rete testis (irregular cavities) →
many finger-like fimbriae. It helps to collect the ovum.
vasa efferentia (series of fine tubules) → epididymis
• Ampulla: Wider part.
(stores sperms temporarily) → vas deferens → join with
• Isthmus: Narrow part. It joins theuterus.
duct of seminal vesicle to form common ejaculatory duct
The ciliated epithelium lined the lumen of the oviduct
→ urethra → urethral meatus.
drives the ovum towards the uterus.
- Urethra receives ducts of prostate and Cowper’s glands.
➢ Uterus (womb): It is inverted pear shaped. It is supported In some women, hymen persists after coitus. So the hymen
by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall. is not a reliable indicator ofvirginity.
Uterus has 3 parts- Upper fundus, middle body and - Clitoris: A highly sensitive organ lying just in front of the
terminal cervix. Cervix opens to vagina. urethral opening.
The uterine wall has 3 layers: Mammary glands (breasts)
• Perimetrium: External thin membrane.
• Myometrium: Middle thick layer of smooth muscle.
• Endometrium: Inner glandular and vascular layer.
➢ Vagina: It opens to the exterior between urethra & anus.
The lumen of vagina is lined by a glycogen-rich mucous
membrane consisting of sensitive papillae & Bartholin’s
glands. Bartholin’s glands secrete mucus that lubricates
the penis during sexual act.
c. External genitalia (vulva or pudendum)
- Consist of Mons pubis, vestibule, hymen & clitoris.
- Mons pubis: A cushion of fatty tissue covered by pubic hair. - A pair of mammary glands contains glandular tissue & fat.
- Vestibule: A median channel. It includes - Glandular tissue of each breast has 15-20 mammarylobes
• Labia majora: Large, fleshy, fatty and hairy outer folds. containing clusters of cells (mammary alveoli).
Surrounds vaginal opening. - Cells of alveoli secrete milk. It is stored in lumen of alveoli.
• Labia minora: Small, thin and hairless inner folds. - The alveoli open into mammary tubules.
- Hymen (Maiden head): A membrane whichpartially cover - The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct.
the vaginal opening. It is often torn during the first coitus.It - Several mammary ducts join to form a wider mammary
may also be broken by a sudden fall or jolt, insertion of a ampulla which is connected to lactiferous duct through
vaginal tampon; active participation in some sports items etc. which milk is sucked out.

GAMETOGENESIS
- It is the formation of gametes in the gonads. follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
- It is 2 types: Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis. - LH acts on the Leydig cells and stimulates secretion of
1. Spermatogenesis androgens. Androgens stimulate the spermatogenesis.
- FSH acts on the Sertoli cells and stimulates secretion of
It is the process of formation of sperms (spermatozoa) in
some factors for the spermiogenesis.
seminiferous tubules of testis. It has 2 stages:
a. Formation of spermatids: In this, Spermatogonia
(Sperm mother cells or immature male germ cells)
produce spermatids.
b. Spermiogenesis: Spermatids transform into sperm.
Schematic representation of spermatogenesis
Spermatogonia -2n (46 chromosomes)
↓ Mitosis differentiation
Primary spermatocytes (2n)
↓ 1st meiotic division
Sec. spermatocytes -n (23) Diagrammatic sectional view of a seminiferous tubule
↓ 2nd meiotic division Structure of spermatozoa (Sperm)
Spermatids (n)
- A mature sperm is about 60 µ
↓ Differentiation (0.06 mm) long.
Spermatozoa (n)
- A plasma membrane envelops
- 4 spermatids are formed from each primaryspermatocyte. the whole body of sperm.
- After spermiogenesis, sperm heads become embedded in - A sperm has 3 regions:
the Sertoli cells. Then they are released to lumen of a. Head: Oval shaped.
seminiferous tubules. It is called spermiation. Formed of nucleus and
Role of Hormones in Spermatogenesis acrosome. Acrosome is
- Hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin releasing hormone formed from Golgi
(GnRH). complex. It contains lytic
- GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete 2 enzymes. Behind the head
gonadotropins such as Luteinizing hormone (LH) and is a neck.
 b. Middle piece: Composed of axial filament surrounded - The tertiary follicle further changes into the mature follicle
by mitochondria & cytoplasm. Mitochondria produce (Graafian follicle).
energy for the sperm motility. - Secondary oocyte forms a new membrane (zona pellucida).
c. Tail: Consists of a central axial filament. The sperm - Graafian follicle now ruptures to release the secondary
moves in fluid medium and female genital tract by the oocyte (ovum) from the ovary. This is called ovulation.
undulating movement of the tail. Schematic representation of oogenesis
- Man ejaculates 200-300 million sperms during a coitus.
Oogonia -2n (46 chromosomes)
- For normal fertility, at least 60% sperms must have normal
Mitosis differentiation
shape and size. 40% of them must show vigorous motility. ↓ (at foetal stage)
2. Oogenesis Primary oocyte- 2n (grows insize)
- It is the process of formation and maturation of ovum. ↓ 1st meiotic division
- It takes place in Graafian follicles. (prior to ovulation)
Sec. oocyte (n) & first polar body(n)
↓ 2nd meiotic division
(during fertilization)
Ovum (n) & second Polar body (n)
Structure of ovum (egg)

- Oogenesis is initiated in embryonic stage when millions of

egg mother cells (oogonia) are formed within each ovary.
- No more oogonia are formed and added after birth.
- Oogonia multiply to form primary oocytes. They enter
prophase-I of the meiosis and get temporarily arrested at
that stage.
- Each primary oocyte gets surrounded by a layer of - Spherical and non-motile. About 0.2 mm in diameter.
granulosa cells to form primary follicle. - Ovum has 3 membranes:
- Many primary follicles degenerate during the phase from a. Plasma membrane: Innermost layer.
birth to puberty. Therefore, at puberty, only 60,000-80,000 b. Zona pellucida: Outer to the plasma membrane.
primary follicles are left in each ovary. c. Corona radiata: Outer layer formed of follicle cells.
- Primary follicles get surrounded by more layers of granulosa Spermatogenesis & Oogenesis- A comparison
cells and a new theca toform secondary follicles.
Spermatogenesis Oogenesis
- The secondary follicles transform into a tertiary follicle. It
Occurs in testis. Occurs in ovary.
has a fluid filled cavity (antrum). The theca layer forms an
inner theca interna and an outer theca externa. Limited grow th phase. Elaborated grow th phase
Each primary spermatocyte Each primary oocyte gives one
- The primary oocyte in tertiary follicle grows and undergoes gives 4 sperms. ovum.
first unequal meiotic division to form a large secondary No polar body formation. Polar bodies are formed.
oocyte (n) & a tiny first polar body (n). So, secondary Begins at embryonic stage but
Begins at puberty and
oocyte retains nutrient rich cytoplasm of primary oocyte. extends up to senility.
suspends up to puberty. It ceases
around the age of f if ty.
- It is unknown that whether the first polar body divides
further or degenerates.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE (REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE)
- It is the cyclic events starting from one menstruation till the - It lasts for 3-5 days.
next during the reproductive period (from puberty to - Menstruation occurs if the released ovum is not fertilized. It
menopause) of a woman’s life. results in breakdown of endometrial lining and uterine blood
- Its duration is 28 or 29days. vessels that comes out through vagina.
- Menstrual cycle is also seen in other primates. - Lack of menstruation indicates pregnancy. It may also be
- Menstrual cycle includes Ovarian cycle (changes in ovary) caused due to stress, poor healthetc.
& Uterine cycle (changes in uterus, oviduct & vagina). - Menarche: The first menstruation during puberty.
- Menstrual cycle has the following phases: II. Follicular (Proliferative) phase: 5-13th day
I. Menstrual phase: 1-5th day - It starts from 5th day after menstruation and completed
- The cycle starts with menstrual flow(bleeding). within 8-12 days.
 - In this phase, the action of gonadotropins (FSH &LH) from - If fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates.
pituitary occurs. FSH stimulates It causes disintegration of endometrium. It leads to next
o Development of primary follicles into Graafianfollicles. menstruation and new cycle.
o Secretion of oestrogens by Graafian follicles. - If a woman becomes pregnant, all events of menstrual cycle
- Oestrogens stimulate stop and there is no menstruation.
o Proliferation of ruptured uterine endometrium and - Menstrual cycle ceases around 50 years of age. It is called
mucus lining of oviduct & vagina. Menopause.
o Development of secondary sexual characters.
o Suppression of FSH secretion.
o Secretion of LH (Luteinizing hormone).
III. Ovulatory phase: 14th day
- LH & FSH attain a peak level in the middle of cycle.
- Rapid secretion of LH (LH surge) induces rupture of
Graafian follicle and thereby ovulation (on 14th day).
IV. Secretory (Luteal) phase: 15-28th day
- After ovulation, Graafian follicle is transformed into a
yellow endocrine mass called Corpus luteum. It secretes
progesterone.
- Functions of progesterone:
o Makes the endometrium maximum vascular, thick and
soft. Thus, the uterus gets ready for implantation.
o Inhibits the FSH secretion to prevent development of a
second ovarian follicle.

FERTILIZATION AND IMPLANTATION

HUMAN REPRODUCTION
- During copulation, semen is released by the penis into the - In blastocyst, blastomeres are arranged into trophoblast
vagina. It is called insemination. (outer layer) and an inner cell mass attached totrophoblast.
- Fusion of a sperm with ovum is called fertilization. It - The trophoblast layer gives nourishment to inner cell mass.
occurs in Ampullary-isthmic junction of fallopian tube. Also, it gets attached to endometrium.
Sperms → vagina → cervical canal → uterus → isthmus - After attachment, uterine cells divide rapidly and cover the
↓ blastocyst. Thus, the blastocyst becomes embedded in the
Fertilization ← Ampullary-isthmicJunction
↑ endometrium. This is called implantation.
Ovum (from ovary) → fimbriae→ infundibulum → ampulla - The inner cell mass gets differentiated to 3 germ layers
(outer ectoderm, middle mesoderm & inner endoderm).
- Fertilization happens only if ovum & sperms are
This 3-layered structure (gastrula) forms the embryo.
transported simultaneously. So all copulations do not lead to
fertilization & pregnancy.
- A sperm contacts with zona pellucida. It induces changes
in the membrane that block entry of additional sperms.
- The secretions of the acrosome help sperm to enter the egg
cytoplasm via zona pellucida & plasma membrane. This
causes second meiotic division of secondary oocyte to form
an ovum (ootid) and a second polar body.
- The haploid nuclei of the sperm and ovum fuse together to
form a diploid zygote.
- Zygote undergoes mitotic division (cleavage) as it moves
through the isthmus towards the uterus and forms 2, 4, 8,
16 daughter cells called blastomeres.
- The embryo with 8-16 blastomeres is called a morula.
- Morula continues to divide and transforms into blastocyst.

PREGNANCY AND EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

- After implantation, finger-like projections (chorionic villi) - The chorionic villi & uterine tissue are interdigitated to form
appear on the trophoblast which is surrounded by the placenta. It is a structural and functional unit b/w embryo
uterine tissue and maternal blood. (foetus) and maternal body.
 gonadotropin (hCG), human placental lactogen (hPL),
• End of 9 months: Ready for delivery.

PARTURITION AND LACTATION

- Parturition (labour): Process of giving birth to young ones. - After parturition, the umbilical cord is cut off.
- Parturition is induced by neuroendocrine mechanism. - The placenta & remnants of umbilical cord are expelled
- The signals originating from the foetus and placenta induce from the maternal body after parturition. It is called “after

HUMAN REPRODUCTION
mild uterine contractions (fetal ejection reflex). This causes birth”.
the release of oxytocin from maternal pituitary. - The mammary glands produce milk towards the end of
- Oxytocin causes stronger uterine muscle contractions pregnancy. It is called lactation.
which in turn stimulate further secretion of oxytocin. This - The yellowish milk produced during the initial few days of
process is continued leading to expulsion of the baby out of lactation is called colostrum. It contains several antibodies
the uterus through the birth canal. essential to develop resistance for the new born babies.