REPRODUCTION SYSTEM

Overview

How does the human reproductive

system work?
Mammals, including humans produce
gametes in paired organs called gonads

In males: testes (singular = testis);

produce sperm
In females: ovaries;
produce eggs

Human male reproductive tract

Human male reproductive tract

Testes (in scrotum)
Sperm
Testosterone

Human male reproductive tract

Accessory
structures
Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral gland
(together produce
semen)

Human male reproductive tract

Accessory
structures
Epididymis
(sperm storage)

Human male reproductive tract

Accessory
structures
Vas deferens
(connects testes to
urethra)

Testes produce sperm &

testosterone
Sperm production occurs
in seminiferous
tubules

Testes produce sperm &

testosterone
Sperm production occurs
in seminiferous
tubules

At puberty, testosterone
production begins
in interstitial cells

Testes produce sperm &

testosterone
Sperm production occurs
in seminiferous
tubules

Sertoli cells regulate

sperm production &
nourish developing
sperm

Testes produce sperm &

testosterone
Sperm production occurs
in seminiferous
tubules

Spermatozoa are
produced by
spermatogonia

The Seminiferous Tubules

The Seminiferous Tubules

Spermatogenesis
Spermatogonia (2n) either undergo mitosis to
produce new spermatogonia, or undergo meiosis to
produce sperm (1n)

Spermatogenesis

Spermiogenesis and Spermatozoon

Structure

Human sperm almost no cytoplasm;

carries male DNA to egg DNA
Head

Nucleus DNA
Acrosome
Enzymes

Human sperm almost no cytoplasm;

carries male DNA to egg DNA
Head

Nucleus DNA
Acrosome
Enzymes

Midpiece

Mitochondria
Energy

Human sperm almost no cytoplasm;

carries male DNA to egg DNA
Head

Nucleus DNA
Acrosome
Enzymes

Midpiece

Mitochondria
Energy

Tail

Flagellum
Propeller

Accessory glands

Seminal vesicles

Active secretory gland

Contributes ~60% total volume of semen
Secretions contain fructose,
prostaglandins, fibrinogen

Prostate gland

Secretes slightly acidic prostate fluid

Secrete alkaline mucus with lubricating

properties

Bulbourethral glands

Contents of Semen

Typical ejaculate = 2-5 ml fluid

Contains between 20 100 million

spermatozoa
per ml

Seminal fluid

A distinct ionic and nutritive glandular

secretion

Human female reproductive tract

Human female reproductive tract

Ovaries

Eggs
Estrogen / progesterone

Accessory structures
receive & move sperm
to egg & nourish
developing embryo
Vagina receives
sperm
Fallopian tubes
site of fertilization
Uterus site of
development of
embryo

Fallopian tubes,
a.k.a. uterine tubes,
a.k.a. oviducts

ovary

fimbriae
uterus

cervix
vagina

Human female reproductive tract

Ovaries

Eggs
Estrogen / progesterone

Accessory structures
receive & move sperm
to egg & nourish
developing embryo
Vagina receives
sperm
Fallopian tubes
sites of fertilization
Uterus site of
development of
embryo

Fallopian tubes,
a.k.a. uterine tubes,
a.k.a. oviducts

ovary

fimbriae
uterus

cervix
vagina

 During embryonic development, the females

lifetime supply of eggs are formed.
Just before birth, the eggs develop to a
certain size and then enter a resting stage
until puberty.
At birth, a females ovaries contain 1 million
eggs.

Oogenesis formation of egg cells via

meiosis

It has long been thought that women have

all their primary oocytes (halted at
Prophase of Meiosis I) by

the time they are born

Oogenesis

 Ovulation occurs on approximately the 14th day

of the menstrual cycle.
Can be divided into four stages in terms of
ovarian activity.

Menstrual phase
Proliferative (follicular) phase
(preovulatory)

Ovulation
Secretory (luteal) phase (postovulatory)

 Increased levels of estradiol (or estrogen) in

blood causes the pituitary gland to secrete
LH.

LH causes the follicle to rupture.

The egg is released into the end of the
fallopian tube and is moved along by ciliated
cells in the lining.

Monthly menstrual cycle coordinates:

1) maturation of several eggs
2) release of one egg
3) preparation of the uterine lining for
possible pregnancy

Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle:

Hormones from the brains master gland (pituitary)

initiate development of egg-bearing follicles in the
ovary

Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle:

Estrogen produced by egg-bearing follicles
stimulates the growth of the uterine lining

Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle:

Ovulation occurs on about day 14; remnants of

ruptured follicle become the corpus luteum, which
produces both estrogens and progesterone

Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle:

Combination of estrogens + progesterone:
1) Inhibits hormone release from pituitary,
preventing development of more follicles
2) Stimulates further growth of uterine lining

Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle:

If pregnancy does not begin:
1) The corpus luteum breaks down
2) Estrogens & progesterone levels fall
3) Uterine lining is shed as menstrual flow

Uterine wall consists of three layers:

Myometrium outer muscular layer

Endometrium a thin, inner, glandular
mucosa
Perimetrium an incomplete serosa
continuous with the peritoneum

The Uterine Wall

The Uterine Wall

Uterine cycle

Repeating series of changes in the

endometrium
Continues from menarche to
menopause

Menses

Proliferative phase

Secretory phase

Degeneration of the endometrium

Menstruation

Restoration of the endometrium

Endometrial glands enlarge and

accelerate their rates of secretion

The Uterine Cycle

Fertilization may lead to pregnancy

Sperm deposited in the vagina during copulation
swim through the uterus into the Fallopian tubes,
where they may encounter an egg

Sperm

Sperm

Sperm
Sperm

Oocyte (egg)

Fertilization may lead to pregnancy

Sperm release enzymes that break down the
barriers around the egg (corona radiata and
zona pelucida)
oocyte

Corona radiata layer of

accessory cells around egg

Zona pellucida
jelly-like layer
around egg

Fertilization may lead to pregnancy

Fusion of the nuclei of an egg and one sperm
(fertilization) produces a zygote
oocyte

Corona radiata layer of

accessory cells around egg

Zona pellucida
jelly-like layer
around egg

If pregnancy begins, the embryo secretes a

hormone that prevents the breakdown of the
corpus luteum

Corpus luteum continues to produce estrogens

and progesterone, so the uterine lining continues
to grow and develop

Most pregnancy tests detect the presence of a

hormone produced by the embryo and present
in the womans urine

Fetal development

The inner wall of the uterus together with embryonic tissues

become the placenta, which transfers oxygen, carbon dioxide,
nutrients and wastes between the mother and the developing fetus
Maternal
arteries

Maternal
veins

Placenta

Maternal portion
of placenta

Umbilical cord
Fetal
capillaries

Fetal portion of
placenta (chorion)

Maternal blood
pools
Uterus
Umbilical cord

Journey of Ovum
Zygote

Ovum

Mature ovum in
follicle

Menstrual Disorders
Amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual flow

Dysmenorrhea
Pain during or shortly before menstruation
PMS

A complex, poorly understood condition that

includes a number of cyclic symptoms
occuring in the luteal phase of the menstrual
cycle

Endometriosis
Characterized by the presence and growth of
endometrial tissue outside of the uterus.
Tissue may be implanted on the ovaries, culde-sac, uterine ligaments, rectovaginal
septum, sigmoid colon, pelvic peritoneum,
cervix, and inguinal area.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Oligomenorrhea / Hypomenorrhea
Cause: physical (hypothalamic, pituitary,
ovarian function, oral contraceptives) or
psychological

Rx: aimed at reversing the underlying

cause (hormonal therapy is often the
treatment of choice). Counseling may be
indicated.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Metrorrhagia
Intermenstrual bleedings. Any episode of
bleeding, whether spotting, menses, or
hemorrhage, that occurs at a time other
than the normal menses.

Cause: hormonal, oral contraceptives, IUD,

pregnancy.
Rx: depends on cause.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Menorrhagia

Excessive menstrual bleeding, in either

duration or amount.
Causes: hormonal disturbances, systemic
disease, benign & malignant neoplasms,
infection, and contraception (IUDs).
Rx: education about contraception
methods; medical & surgical management of
fibroids.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding:

Any form of uterine bleeding that is

irregular in amount, duration, or timing and
not related to regular menstrual bleeding.
Causes: anovulation; pregnancy-related
conditions; lower reproductive tract
infections; neoplasms; trauma; systemic
diseases; iatrogenic causes. Refer to box
7-1 in text (p.167).
Rx: dependant on cause.

Menopause
Perimenopause: the period that encompasses
the transition from normal ovulatory cycles to
cessation of menses and is marked by irregular
menstrual cycles.
Menopause: refers to the complete cessation
of menses and is a single physiologic event said
to occur when women have not had menstrual
flow or spotting for 1 year & can be identified
only in retrospect.
Postmenopause: the time after menopause.

Osteoporosis
A generalized, metabolic disease
characterized by decreased bone mass and
increased incidence of bone fractures.

Affects >25 million women loder than 45

years old, in the US.
Approximately 50% of American women have
some degree of osteoporosis. 1 out of 2 have
changes severe enough to predispose them to
fractures.

NOTE:
Alternative therapies are beneficial in
relieving discomforts associated with
menstrual disorders and menopause.

Osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone mass

that results from decreasing levels of
estrogen after menopause, can be prevented
or minimized with lifestyle changes and
medication.

NOTE:
Estrogen increases calcitonin levels to
prevent bone resorption and maintain bone
density.
Sexuality and the ability for sexual
expression continue after menopause.

Surgical Means of Birth Control

Male
Vasectomy surgically taking portion
of vas deferens out

Female
Tubal sterilization surgically taking
portion of fallopian tubes out
Hysterectomy removing all or part of
uterus and ovaries