Reproductive System and Infertility Lecture Notes

Vocabulary-style practice flashcards covering the male and female reproductive systems, hormonal regulation, the ovarian and uterine cycles, and causes and treatments of infertility.

Primary Sex Organs (Gonads)

The testes and ovaries which produce sex cells (gametes) and secrete steroid sex hormones.

Accessory Reproductive Organs

Components of the reproductive system including ducts or the reproductive tract, glands, and external genitalia.

Spermatogonia

Stem cells within the testes that develop into sperm during spermatogenesis.

Seminiferous tubule

The functional unit of the testes, consisting of a highly coiled duct system divided into lobules where sperm are produced.

Sertoli cells

Cells located within the seminiferous tubules that nourish developing sperm.

Leydig cells

Cells in the testes responsible for producing testosterone.

Epididymis

A paired structure and site of sperm maturation (e.g. motility) and storage that expels sperm into the vas deferens during ejaculation.

Vas Deferens

Paired ducts arising from the epididymis that transport sperm to the urethra; the site of ligation for a vasectomy.

Seminal Vesicles

Paired structures on the posterolateral surface of the bladder that produce seminal fluid, accounting for $70\%$ of semen volume.

Prostate Gland

A gland inferior to the bladder that encircles the urethra and produces prostatic fluid containing nutrients and enzymes to activate sperm.

Bulbourethral Glands

Glands that produce alkaline mucus to lubricate the glans penis and neutralize urine in the urethra.

Semen

A mixture of sperm ($20-150$ million sperm/ml) and accessory gland secretions released during ejaculation.

Sperm Midpiece

The metabolic region of a sperm cell consisting of an elongated neck region.

Folliculogenesis

The process occurring in the ovaries involving the maturation of the ovarian follicular pool containing gametes (oocytes/ova/eggs).

Fallopian tubes (Oviducts)

Bilateral structures continuous with the uterine lumen that collect the oocyte post-ovulation and serve as the usual site of fertilization.

Endometrium

The inner mucosal lining of the uterine wall that responds to hormones, increases by $5-6\,mm$ following menstruation due to progesterone, and is shed during menses.

Infertility

A disease of the reproductive system defined as the failure to conceive following $12$ months of unprotected intercourse, affecting $1$ in $8$ couples.

Androgen-binding protein (ABP)

A protein released from Sertoli cells stimulated by FSH that makes spermatogenic cells receptive to testosterone.

Azoospermia

The total absence of sperm in semen.

Oligospermia

A condition characterized by having few sperm in the semen.

Teratospermia

A condition characterized by abnormal sperm morphology.

Follicular Phase

The phase of the ovarian cycle (Day $1-12$) where GnRH drives FSH production and follicular growth.

Pre-ovulatory Phase

The midcycle phase (Day $13-15$) where estradiol triggers an LH surge resulting in ovulation.

Luteal Phase

The phase of the ovarian cycle (Day $16-28$) where the corpus luteum produces progesterone.

Proliferative Phase

The phase of the uterine cycle occurring from Day $6-15$ characterized by structural changes in the endometrium promoted by estrogen.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

The leading cause of anovulatory infertility, clinically identified by enlarged polycystic ovaries, high testosterone, and low FSH levels.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

A form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to treat infertility.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

A treatment for infertility involving ovarian stimulation, follicle retrieval, and embryo transfer.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

A procedure used during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to assist in the fertilization process.

Endometriosis

A tubal factor of female infertility resulting in anatomical distortions and adhesions.