Reproduction Lab

What is the function of the testes?

produce sperm and testosterone

What is the function of the epididymis?

sperm stored and mature

What is the function of the vas deferens

transport sperm from epididymis to ejuculatory duct

What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

prouce fructose for sperm energy

What is the function of the prostate gland?

produce fluid that nourishes and protects sperm

What is the function of the ejaculatory duct?

carries semen into prostatic urethra

What is the function of the urethra?

carries semen and urine out of body

What is the function of the scrotum?

holds testes outside the body and maintains cool temperature for sperm production

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

seminiferous tubules of testes

What are the stages of spermatogenesis in order?

spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa

What are spermatogonia?

diploid stem cells near basement membrane

What are primary and secondary spermatocytes?

cells undergoing meiosis I and meiosis II

What are spermatids?

haploid cells that become spermatozoa

What are spermatozoa?

mature sperm cells

What is the function of Sertoli cells?

support developing sperm cells, regulate spermatogenesis

What is the function of Leydig cells?

produce testosterone in response to increased lh

Where are Leydig cells found?

interstitial spaces between seminiferous tubules

What is the function of the basement membrane?

provides structural support and provides boundary

Why do seminiferous tubules look different under the microscope?

sperm develop at different stages

What happens to sperm that are not ejaculated?

die and broken down by reproductive tract

What is the function of GnRH?

released by hypothalamus, stimulates anterior pituitary to release fsh and lh

What is the function of FSH in males?

stimulates sertoli cells to support sperm production

What is the function of LH in males?

stimulate leydig cells to produce testosterone

What is the function of testosterone?

support sperm cell production, male secondary sex characteristics

What is the function of inhibin in males?

released by sertoli cells, inhibits fsh secretion for regulation

What is the function of the ovaries?

produce oocytes, secrete oestrogen and progesterone

What is the function of the fallopian tubes?

transport oocyte towards uterus

What are the three regions of the fallopian tube?

infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus.

What is the function of the fimbriae?

guide oocyte to fallopian tube

What is the function of the uterus?

location for implantation and development of embryo and fetus

What is the function of the endometrium?

inner uterine lining thickens for implantation, shed during menstruation if no pregnancy

What is the function of the cervix?

lower opening of uterus, connects to vagina and produces cervical mucus

What is the function of the vagina?

receives sperm during intercourse, birth canal, menstrual flow passage

What are the four stages of ovarian follicle development?

primordial, primary, secondary, mature

What characterises a primordial follicle?

oocyte surrounded by one layer of squamous follicular cells, no zona pellucida

What characterises a primary follicle?

oocyte surrounded by zona pellucida and cuboidal granulosa cells

What characterises a secondary follicle?

multiple layers of granulosa cells, antrum containing follicular fluid

What characterises a Graafian follicle?

large mature follicle with large antrum, cumulus oophorus and oocyte surrounded by corona radiata

What is the zona pellucida?

protective glycoprotein layer around oocyte, helps sperm binding

What is the function of granulosa cells?

support developing oocyte, produce oestrogen

What is the function of theca cells?

produce androgens that granulosa cells convert into oestrogen

What is the function of the antrum?

fluid filled cavity that supports follicular growth

What is the function of the corpus luteum?

forms after ovulation, produces progesterone and oestrogen to maintian endothelium

What is the function of GnRH in females?

released by hypothalamus, stimulates anterior pituitary to release fsh and lh

What is the function of FSH in females?

stimulates ovarian follicle development and granulosa cell activity

What is the function of LH in females?

triggers ovulation and formation of corpus luteum

What is the function of oestrogen?

promotes growth and thickening of endometrium, secondary sexual charcateristics

What is the function of progesterone?

maintains endometrium after pregnancy, supports pregnancy

What is the function of hCG?

produced by developing embryo, maintains corpus luteum

What is the function of inhibin in females?

inhibits fsh secretion to regulate follicule development

What happens during the follicular phase?

fsh stimulates follicle development, growing follicles produce increasing oestrogen, thickens endometrium

What triggers ovulation?

surge in lh around day 14

What happens during ovulation?

mature follicle ruptures and releases secondary oocyte from the ovary

What happens during the luteal phase?

ruptured follicle becomes corpus luteum

What happens to hormone levels if fertilisation does not occur?

corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone and oestrogen fall, menstruation occurs

What happens to the endometrium during menstruation?

breaks down and is shed due to falling progesterone and oestrogen levels

What does a normal ovarian hormone profile look like?

oestrogen rises before ovulation, sharp lh surge at day 14, progesterone rise during luteal phase

Why does progesterone remain elevated during pregnancy?

hcg maintains corpus luteum, continues to produce progesterone

Why does progesterone decrease if pregnancy does not occur?

corpus luteum degenerates

How does the progestogen-only pill work?

thickens cervical mucus, sperm can not enter, suppreses ovulation

How does the combined oral contraceptive pill work?

oestrogen and progesterone supress fsh and lh, no ovulation, thicken cervical mucus

How does an external condom work?

physical barrier that prevents sperm from entering vagina

How does an internal condom work?

lines vagina and prevents sperm from entering reproductive tract

How does the contraceptive implant work?

releases progestagen, suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucus

How does a copper IUD work?

releases copper ions that impair sperm movement and function

How does a hormonal IUD work?

releases progestagen, thicken cervical mucus, thins endometrium

How does a vasectomy work?

vas deferns cut or sealed, preventing sperm entering semen

How does tubal ligation work?

fallopian tubes cut or blocked, sperm can not reach oocyte

Which contraceptive methods protect against STIs?

external and internal condoms

What is the pathway of an oocyte after ovulation?

ovary, fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, uterus

Where does fertilisation usually occur?

ampulla of fallopian tube

What is the pathway of sperm from production to ejaculation?

seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferns, ejaculatory duct, prostatic urethra, membraneous urethra, penile urethra, outside body

Which cells produce hormones in the testes?

leydig cells produce testosterone

Which cells produce hormones in the ovaries?

theca cells produce androgens, which granulosa cells convert to oestrogen

How are reproductive hormones transported around the body?

enter bloodstream and travel to target organs and tissues