internal reproductive structures & oogenesis lecture 04/22

what are gonads?

ovaries and testes

what is the function of gonads?

to develop, house, & release gametes

produce sex hormones

what are gametes?

sperm or oocytes

what happens at puberty?

the hypothalamus secretes hormones,

the anterior pituitary releases FSH & LH,

hormones act on the ovaries and testes

what are FSH & LH needed for?

to start gamete maturation and increase sex hormone production by the gonads

what are the functions of the testis?

develop sperm and produce androgens (sex hormones)

what is the internal anatomy of the testis?

each is divided to a series of lobules

has seminiferous tubules

where is sperm from?

the seminiferous tubules

what is in the seminiferous tubules?"

spermatogonia, developing sperm, and sustentacular cells

what is the function of sustentacular cells?

to support, protect, and nourish the developing sperm

what is between the seminiferous tubules?

interstitial cells

what is the function of interstitial cells?

produce and secrete androgens (specifically testosterone

what regulates the testis?

FSH & LH target the testis to ‘stimulate’ androgen production and spermatogenesis

what is the epididymis?

a comma-shaped organ, located posterior to and on top of the testis

what is the function of the epididymis?

to receive sperm from testis, be the location of sperm maturation and motility, and store sperm until ejaculation

what is ejaculation?

semen expelled through the penis

what is the ductus (vas) deferins?

an 18-inch long tube that runs from testis to prostate gland

true or false: part of the travel of the vas deferins is through the spermatic cord

true

what does the ductus deferins merge with and why?

the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct

where does the ejaculatory duct pass through and empty its contents?

passes through the prostate gland, empties into the urethra

what is the function of accessory reproductive glands?

to produce a nutritious, alkaline fluid (seminal fluid) for the sperm

what is semen?

sperm and seminal fluid combined

what is the prostate gland?

a single chestnut-shaped organ that is inferior to the bladder and contains the 1st part of the urethra (prostatic urethra)

what are the bulbourethral glands?

pea-shaped glands embedded in deep perineal muscles

what is the function of the ovary?

to mature, house, and release oocytes,

produce sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

what does the medulla of the ovary contain?

blood vessels

what does the cortex of the ovary contain?

ovarian follicles, corpus luteum, and corpus albicans

what are ovarian follicles?

oocytes + follicle (or granulosa) cells that surround the oocyte

what is a primordial follicle?

a primary oocyte + a single layer of flattened follicle cells

where are primordial follicles found?

in fetal ovary and child’s ovary

what are primary follicles?

primary oocytes + a single later of cuboidal follicle (granulosa) cells

what is first seen at puberty?

primary, secondary, antral, and mature follicles

when do follicles get called granulosa cells?

at the primary follicles

what are secondary follicles?

primary oocytes + multiple layers of cuboidal granulosa cells

what are antral follicles?

primary oocytes + multiple layers of granulosa cells + an “antrum”

what is an antrum?

a fluid filled space

what is a mature follicle?

secondary oocyte + multiple layers of granulosa cells and a LARGE antrum

how many mature follicles are produce each month?

typically one

what is ovulation?

a process where a secondary oocyte is expelled from the ovary

true or false: a mature follicle does NOT undergo ovulation

false

what causes ovulation?

a spike in luteinizing hormone

what is the corpus luteum?

a yellowish ruptured mature follicle that underwent ovulation with a limited lifespan

what is the function of the corpus luteum?

to secrete estrogen and progesterone to build uterine lining

what is the corpus albicans?

the white connective tissue scare formed from a degenerated corpus luteum