REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

What is the function of the male reproductive system?

• produce and transfer sperm into female reproductive tract for fertilization

What are the important parts of the male reproductive system?

• ductus (vas) deferens

• urinary bladder

• prostate gland

• urethra

• seminal vesicle

• ejaculatory duct

• bukbourethral gland

• testis

• epididymis

• scrotum

What are the important parts of the testes?

• body + head of epididymis

• ductus deferens

• seminiferous tubule lobules

What are the testes and its functions?

• a male reproductive system endocrine organ

• produce testosterone

  • for development + maintenance of primary and secondary sexual characteristics

  • promote spermatogenesis

• located in scrotum outside of body cavity to maintain low temp for spermatogenesis

What is the process of spermatogenesis?

• production of 300 million sperm cells daily in seminiferous tubules

• takes 65-75 days

How does the spermatogenesis hormonal control work?

• GnRH stimulates FSH and LH

• FSH stimulates ABP (androgen binding protein) for spermatogenesis

• LH stimulates testosterone for spermatogenesis + other effects

What are the reproductive / genital ducts?

• these are involved in sperm transportation

• epididymis

• vas deferens

• ejaculatory duct

• urethra

What is the epididymis?

• comma shaped organ located posteriorly to testes

• site of sperm maturation; gains mobility + ability to fertilize in egg

• may store sperm for up to 4 weeks

• sperm moves to vas deferens upon ejaculation

What is the vas deferens?

• transport sperm to ejaculatory duct via peristalsis

• can store sperm for several months

What is the ejaculatory duct?

• short duct where vas deferens + seminal vesicle contents merge

• ejects semen (sperm + other fluids) into prostatic urethra

What is the urethra?

• last duct to pass through prostate gland

• carries semen + urine out

What are the accessory reproductive glands?

• these secrete the liquid portion of semen

• seminal vesicles

• prostate gland

• bulbourethral (cowper’s) gland

What are the seminal vesicles?

• contains alkaline and viscous fluid needed to neutralize acidic vaginal environment

• high in fructose which supplies ATP to sperm

What is the prostate gland?

• contains a milky, acidic substance that contains citric acid (for atp), enzymes, and prostaglandins that help sperm mobility and viability

• 25% of semen

What is the bulbourethral / cowper’s gland?

• contains alkaline mucous for lubrication

What are the male external genitalia?

• scrotum which supports testes outside the body

• penis

What is the penis?

• deposits sperm into female reproductive tract

• parasympathetic reflex causes erection where corpora cavernosa fills with blood

• sympathetic reflex causes ejaculation

  • emission is where sperm move from epididymis and vas deferens via peristalsis, mixes with seminal fluid

  • expulsion is the powerful contraction of urethra and penile muscles to force sperm out of urethra

What is the function of the female reproductive system?

• develop ova / eggs

• prepare for fertilization

• carry fertilized egg through development stages from egg to zygote to fetus

What are the important parts of the female reproductive system?

• clitoris

• uterus

• ovary

• cervix

• vagina

What are the ovaries?

• endocrine organs of the female reproductive system

• production of estrogen and progesterone

  • for development + maintenance of primary and secondary sexual characteristics

  • preparation of endometrium for implantation

• oogenesis

What is the process of oogenesis?

• all primary oocytes are arrested in prophase 1 of meiosis at birth (~1 million out of initial 7 million)

• complte meiosis between puberty and menopause (400k primary oocytes remain at puberty)

What are the uterine tubes / oviducts?

• site of fertilization and transport of ovum / zygote to uterus (occurs ~ once a month)

• zygote implantation in fallopian tube which leads to ectopic pregnancy (non viable)

What is the uterus?

• site of menstruation

• implantation of fertilized ovum

• site of fetal development + labour

• contains endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium

What is the uterine wall?

• composed of:

  • perimetrium which is the outmost serous layer part of visceral peritoneum

  • myometrium which is the middle layer and has interlacing layers of smooth muscle

  • endometrium which is the mucosal lining of the uterine cavity, has loose connective tissue and epithelium

    • has stratum functionalis which sheds during menstruation

    • stratum basalis

What is the vagina?

• accessory reproductive gland

• for copulation / birth canal / menstrual flow

• produces organic acids to maintain an acidic environment to decrease microbial growth

What is bartholin’s glands?

• accessory reproductive gland

• secretes mucous lubricant

• located on either side of vaginal orifice