Higher Diploma in Nursing --- Human Biology

Male Reproduction
Overview
Male Reproductive System
External Genitalia
Testes
Sperm Production
Seminiferous Tubules
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoon
Male Reproductive Tract
Urethra
Accessory Glands
Semen
Hormones & Male Reproductive Function
Reproductive System
• Reproduction: biological process by which
new individual organisms are produced

• A fundamental feature of all known life

Reproductive System
• Gonads (testes & ovaries): produce gametes
(sperms & eggs) & sex hormones (steroids)

• Fertilization: fusion of male & female gametes to

form a zygote

• Ducts: receive & transport the gametes

• Accessory glands & organs: secrete fluid into the

ducts of the reproductive system

• External genitalia
Reproductive System
• Males: testes produce spermatozoa ---
• expelled from body in semen during ejaculation

• Females: ovaries produce oocytes (immature

ova/eggs) ---
• travel along uterine tube toward uterus
Male Reproductive System
External Genitalia: Scrotum & Penis
• Scrotum
– extension of the abdomen
containing the testes

• Penis
– Contains 3 masses of erectile
tissue
• 2 corpora cavernosa beneath fascia
• 1 corpus spongiosum surrounding urethra
– Dilation of erectile tissue produces
erection
Descent of testes
A B
1. Gubernaculum testis
2. Testis
3. Inguinal canal
4. Testis
5. Peritoneal cavity
6. Deferent duct

C D
Descent of testes
A B • Begins from the 3rd
month of pregnancy

• During development, the

testis formed adjacent to
kidney

• Gubernaculum testis:
extends from each testis
to the posterior wall of a
C D small anterior and inferior
pocket of the peritoneum

• Movement of testes
through inguinal canal
into scrotum during fetal
development

• stimulated Testosterone

• Cryptorchidism
Testes
Anatomy of Testes
• Tunica albuginea surrounds testis
• Septa extend from tunica albuginea to epididymus
• Interstitial cells are found between seminiferous tubules
• Sperm pass through efferent ductules which connect rete
testis to epididymus
Seminiferous Tubules

• Contain spermatogonia
– Stem cells involved in
spermatogenesis
• Contain sustentacular cells
– Sustain and promote
development of sperm
Seminiferous Tubules
Spermatogenesis

2N 2N

4N 4N

2N
2N

1N
Spermatogenesis
• Spermatogenesis
• Process by which spermatogonia
(immature male gametes) develop into
spermatozoa (mature male gametes)
2N

• Spermatogenesis takes 64 to 72 days 4N

The phases of spermatogenesis:

1. Mitosis 2N

2. Meiosis (I & II)

1N
3. Spermiogenesis
Spermatogenesis
Mitosis of spermatogonium (16 days)
- Each diploid (2N) spermatogonium produced two
daughter cells:
* one remains in contact with the basement
membrane of the tubules
* one is named as primary spermatocyte that is 2N
displaced toward the lumen

4N
Meiosis I (24 days)
- At the end of meiosis I, the daughter cells are
called secondary spermatocytes
- Every secondary spermatocyte contains 23
chromosomes, each with a pair of duplicate
2N
chromatids

Meiosis II (few hours)

- The secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis II 1N
and yield 4 haploid spermatids
- Each containing 23 chromosomes

Spermiogenesis (24 days)

- Each spermatid matures into a single
spermatozoon (sperm) (remains to be haploid)
Spermatozoon
• Each spermatozoon has:
– Head
• Nucleus & densely packed
chromosomes

– Middle piece
• Mitochondria that produce the ATP
needed to move the tail

– Tail
• The only flagellum in the human
body
Male Reproductive Tract: Epididymus
Epididymus
- Start of the reproductive tract
- Elongated tubule with head, body & tail
regions

Functions
– Monitors & adjusts the
composition of fluid in the
seminiferous tubules
– Acts as recycling center
– Stores & protects spermatozoa
– Facilitates functional
maturation of spermatozoa
Male Reproductive Tract: Urethra
• Connects urinary bladder to tip of penis

• 3 regions
– Prostatic
– Membranous
– Penile (or Spongy)
Accessory Glands
• Seminal gland (vesicles) (60%):
Contents:
1) Fructose: metabolized by spermatozoa
2) Prostaglandins: stimulate smooth muscles
contraction
3) Fibrinogen: temporary semen clot in
vagina; alkaline
• Prostate gland (20-30%):
Contents:
1) slightly acidic prostate fluid
2) with seminalplasmin:antibiotics,
prevent urinary tract infection

• Bulbourethral glands (<5%):

Contents:
Controlled by sympathetic nerves
1) alkaline mucus with lubricating
properties and helps to neutralize the
urinary acid
Contents of Semen
• A typical ejaculation release 2-5ml semen:

Contents:
• 20–100 million spermatozoa per mL
• Seminal fluid (mixture of glandular secretions)
• Enzymes: 1) Protease
2) Seminalplasmin
3) converting fibrinogen to fibrin
4) Fibrinolysin: liquefies the clotted semen after 15-30 mins
Hormones & Male Reproductive Function

• GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)

• FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)

– Targets sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells) to promote
spermatogenesis

• LH (luteinizing hormone)
– Causes interstitial cells (Leydig cells) to secrete
testosterone & other androgens

• Testosterone
– Most important androgen
Hormones & Male Reproductive Function
Higher Diploma in Nursing --- Human Biology

Female Reproduction I
Overview
Female Reproductive System
External Genitalia
Mammary Glands
Ovaries
Oogenesis
Uterine Tubes
Uterus
Ovarian Cycle
Uterine Cycle
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
Female Reproductive System

External genitalia (vulva)

Female Reproductive System
• Ovaries: produce ova & female sex hormones (estrogens & progesterone)

• Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes / oviducts): carry ova from the ovary to the
uterus (common location of fertilization)

• Uterus: houses & nourishes the developing embryo

• Cervix: connects the uterus to the vagina - a safety precaution against

foreign bodies entering the uterus (During childbirth, the cervix dilates to
accommodate the passage of the fetus - a sign that labor has begun)

• Vagina:
– Receives semen from the penis during sexual intercourse
– Exit point for menstrual flow
– Canal through which the baby passes from the uterus
– Acidic environment helps prevent infection
External Genitalia
• Vulva
– Vestibule: contain the
entrance to the vagina

– Labia minora & majora

– Clitoris

– Lesser vestibular glands

– Greater vestibular glands

Mammary Glands
• Modified sweat glands (within
the paired breasts): produce &
secrete milk

• Lactiferous ducts: convey milk

form the glands

• Lactiferous sinuses: store milk

• Function in lactation (under

control of reproductive
hormones)
Ovaries
• Held in position by ovarian & suspensory ligaments

Ovarian ligaments
- near the attachment of
the uterine tube, to the
medial surface of the
ovary
The suspensory ligament
- extends from the lateral surface
of the ovary and past the open
end of the uterine tube to the
pelvic wall

- contain the major

blood vessels of the ovary:
Ovarian artery and vein

Ovarian hilum: Blood vessels connection to the ovary

 Ovaries
Histology of the Ovary
• Germinal epithelium
- Surface of the ovary

tunica albuginea
• Tunica albuginea
- Whitish capsule

• Ovarian cortex
- Consists of ovarian follicles

• Ovarian medulla
- Contains blood vessels, lymphatic
vessels and nerves
Oogenesis
• Ovum production: Begins before birth
Mitosis
- Primary oocytes complete the mitotic division before
birth 2N
Meiosis I 4N
- Between 3-7 months fetal development,
primary oocytes prepare to undergo meiosis and halt
at the prophase of meiosis I

- Meiosis I is completed not until puberty with the

rising levels of the follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH)
2N
Meiosis II
- Each month after the ovarian cycle begins, 1-2
secondary oocytes will release in metaphase of meiosis
II

- This phase will only be completed if fertilization occurs

1N
 Uterine Tubes
• Uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes / oviducts)
Isthmus
Ampulla

Infundibulum

Fimbriae

• Histology of uterine tube: consists of 3 layers

1) Mucosa: Epithelium and lamina propria
- Epithelium contains: a) Ciliated cells: help to move a fertilized ovum
b) Non-ciliated cells: Peg cells, contain microvilli and secrete fluid
2) Submucosa: With an inner thick circular muscles and outer thin of longitudinal smooth muscle
3) Serosa: The outermost layer of the uterine tube
Uterus
Uterus
Normal position of uterus: Anteflexion, covers the superior and posterior surface of the urinary bladder
Suspensory ligaments
of the uterus:
1) Uterosacral ligaments:
- extend from the
lateral surfaces of the
uterus to the anterior
face of the sacrum,
keeping the body of the
uterus from moving
inferiorly and
anteriorly

2) Round ligaments :
- restrict posterior
movement of the
uterus

3) Cardinal (lateral) ligaments

- extend from the base of the
uterus and vagina to the lateral
walls of the pelvis
- prevent inferior movement of Bending backward of the uterus: Retroflexion
the uterus.
Uterus
• A hollow, muscular organ located in front of rectum &
behind urinary bladder

• Houses, nourishes & protects the developing fetus

• The mucus that lubricates the vagina comes form glands

in the cervix of the uterus

• During pregnancy, uterus is increased 3 to 6 times in size,

and smooth muscle in the uterine walls is developed (due
to estrogen) in preparation for the expulsive action of
childbirth
 Uterus
• Uterine wall consists of 3 layers:
– Endometrium
• a thin, inner, glandular mucosa
• support the physiological demands of
the growing fetus
• Influence by estrogen

– Myometrium
• outer muscular layer, the thickest
• arranged into longitudinal, circular,
and oblique layers
• Provide force during parturition

– Perimetrium
• an incomplete serosa continuous
with the peritoneum
• Presence at the fundus and the
posterior surface of the uterine
body and isthmus
Uterine Wall
Ovarian Cycle
• Steps in the ovarian cycle
1. Formation of primary, secondary, & tertiary follicles
2. Ovulation
3. Formation & degeneration of the corpus luteum
4. Degradation of the corpus luteum

• Follicles is the actual centers of ovum

production
• Each follicle contains an immature ovum called
an oocyte
Ovarian Cycle
• Primordial follicles
– One layer of follicular cells around the oocyte (immature egg)
• Primary follicles
– Several layers of follicular cells (granulosa cells) around the oocyte
Ovarian Cycle
• Secondary follicles
– Primary follicles with a space filled with follicular fluid (secreted by
granulosa cells)
– The follicles enlarge rapidly
• Tertiary (Graafian) follicle
– Mature follicle (~15 mm) with antrum (expanded central chamber)
Ovarian Cycle
• Ovulation
– A 7-month-old female fetus has about 1 million primordial follicles in each
ovary, most of them disintegrate and leaving about 200,000 to 400,000 in
each ovary at birth
– About 20 primordial follicles are activated each month
– Although many primordial follicles develop into primary follicles, only a few
secondary follicles can be formed (other follicles degenerate), & only one
tertiary follicle can be developed
– A woman will release no more than 500 oocytes in her lifetime
Ovarian Cycle
• Corpus luteum (yellow body)
– Follicular structure left behind in ovary after ovulation
– Temporary endocrine tissues that secretes estrogens &
progesterone
• Corpus albicans
– Degeneration of corpus luteum to a scar tissue (unless fertilization
occurs)
Ovarian Cycle
Uterine Cycle
Repeating series of changes in the endometrium
(Range from 21-35 days in healthy women)

3 phases of uterine cycle:

• Menses (occurs during the follicular phase of ovarian cycle)

• Degeneration of functional zone of endometrium
• Menstruation
– Without estrogen & progesterone
– Constriction of the spiral arteries
– Endometrium breaks down & begins to slough (due to
reduced blood flow & nutrient deprivation)
– Menstrual flow composed of blood cells & degenerating
endometrial tissue passes out of the body through the vagina
Uterine Cycle
• Proliferative phase (occurs during the follicular phase of ovarian cycle)

• Restoration of endometrium (stimulated by estrogen)

• Uterine gland secret mucus that is rich in glycogen
(essential for the survival of the fertilized ovum during early
development)
• Spiral arteries branching into endometrium from the larger arteries in
the myometrium

Secretory phase (occurs during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle)
• Peaks at ~12 days after ovulation
• Endometrial glands enlarge & accelerate their rates of secretion
• Secretion of estrogens & progesterone from the corpus
luteum ensures a highly vascular endometrium (further
elongate the vessels)
Uterine Cycle
Higher Diploma in Nursing --- Human Biology

Female Reproduction II
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
• Control the reproductive cycle
• Coordinate the ovarian & uterine cycles

• Key hormones include:

– GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)

– FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)

• Stimulates follicular development
• Increases estrogen secretion from developing follicles
• Promote development of uterine wall after menstruation

– LH (luteinizing hormone)
• Stimulates ovulation
• Increases estrogen secretion from developing follicles
• Increases progesterone secretion from corpus luteum
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
– Estrogens
• Stimulate thickening of uterine wall (endometrial growth)
• Stimulate maturation of oocyte
• Stimulate development of female sex characteristics
• Inhibit FSH secretion
• Increase LH secretion

– Progesterone
• Stimulates thickening of uterine wall
• Stimulates formation of mammary ducts

– Inhibin
• Inhibits secretion of FSH & GnRH
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
– Oxytocin
• Stimulates uterine contractions during labor
• Induces mammary glands to ejects milk after childbirth

– Prolactin
• Promotes milk production by mammary glands after childbirth

– Relaxin
• Dilates uterine cervix
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function
Hormones & Female Reproductive Function