Reproductive System

What are the components of the reproductive system?

Gonads, ducts, accessory glands, external genitalia, supporting structures

What is the function of the reproductive system?

Produce gametes, secrete sex hormones, enable fertilization and reproduction

How do male and female reproductive systems differ?

Males produce/deliver sperm continuously; females produce eggs cyclically and support pregnancy

Where are gametes produced in males and females?

Males: seminiferous tubules; Females: ovarian follicles

What is fertilization?

Fusion of sperm and egg to form a zygote

Where does fertilization occur?

Ampulla of uterine tube

What is capacitation?

Functional activation of sperm in female tract enabling fertilization

What do testes produce?

Sperm and testosterone

Function of seminiferous tubules

Sperm production

Function of epididymis

Sperm storage, maturation, transport

Function of ductus deferens

Sperm transport via peristalsis

Function of ejaculatory duct

Mixes sperm with gland secretions

Function of urethra

Conducts semen out of body

Sperm pathway

Seminiferous tubules → epididymis → ductus deferens → ejaculatory duct → urethra

What moves sperm in ductus deferens?

Peristalsis

What is functional maturation of sperm?

Gaining motility and fertilizing ability

Where does sperm mature?

Epididymis

What is spermatogenesis?

Sperm production process

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

Seminiferous tubules

What are Sertoli cells?

Sustain and nourish sperm development

What are Leydig cells?

Produce testosterone

What do seminal vesicles produce?

Fructose, prostaglandins, fibrinogen

Function of fructose

Energy for sperm

Function of prostaglandins

Stimulate uterine contractions

Function of fibrinogen

Clot formation for protection

Function of prostate gland

Neutralizes acidity, activates sperm

Function of bulbourethral gland

Lubrication and urethral neutralization

What is semen made of?

Sperm + gland secretions

Which gland produces most semen?

Seminal vesicles

Which gland provides energy?

Seminal vesicles

Which gland neutralizes acid?

Prostate gland

Which gland lubricates penis?

Bulbourethral gland

How many sperm per ejaculation?

~200–300 million

When can sperm fertilize egg?

After capacitation

What covers testes?

Tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea

What divides testes into lobules?

Septa

What is inside lobules?

Seminiferous tubules

Erectile tissues of penis

Corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum

What causes erection?

Increased blood flow

What covers glans penis?

Prepuce

What is GnRH?

Hypothalamic hormone that starts puberty

What does GnRH stimulate?

FSH and LH release

What does FSH do?

Stimulates Sertoli cells → sperm production

What does LH do?

Stimulates Leydig cells → testosterone

What stimulates testosterone?

LH

Function of testosterone

Male traits and sperm production

What is climacteric?

Age-related decline in reproductive function

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What are components of female reproductive system?

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, external genitalia

Main female reproductive organs

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus

What supports embryo development?

Uterus

What transports ovum to uterus?

Uterine tube (fallopian tube)

Inferior uterus part opening into vagina

Cervix

Function of uterus

Implantation, development, nourishment, labor contractions

Function of uterine tube

Transports egg; site of fertilization

What is oogenesis?

Production of egg cells (ova)

Where does egg production occur?

Ovaries

When does meiosis stop in females?

Prophase I until puberty; Metaphase II until fertilization

How many eggs at birth?

~2 million

How many at puberty?

~400,000

What triggers egg development monthly?

FSH

What happens if fertilization occurs?

Meiosis II completes

What is ovulation?

Release of mature egg from ovary

What are ovarian cycle steps?

Follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase

Role of LH in females

Triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation

When does LH surge occur?

Mid-cycle

Role of FSH in females

Follicle development

When does FSH increase?

Start of cycle

What stimulates progesterone production?

LH

Which organ produces progesterone?

Corpus luteum

When does progesterone rise?

After ovulation

Function of progesterone

Maintains uterine lining

What stimulates estrogen?

FSH

Which organ produces estrogen?

Ovarian follicles

When does estrogen increase?

Before ovulation

Function of estrogen

Thickens uterine lining, female traits

What does follicle secrete?

Estrogen

Main hormone of corpus luteum

Progesterone

What triggers ovulation?

LH surge

What triggers follicle growth?

FSH rise

What triggers menstruation?

Drop in estrogen and progesterone

What regulates ovarian cycle?

Hormonal feedback system

Parts of uterine tube

Fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus

Where does fertilization occur?

Ampulla

Uterine wall layers

Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium

Muscular uterus layer

Myometrium

Phases of uterine cycle

Menstrual, proliferative, secretory

First menstruation

Menarche

Last menstruation

Menopause

What is menopause?

End of reproductive ability; loss of ovarian cycles