Reproductive

System
Survey questions:
Jot down 10 questions about
the reproductive system that
are needed to be answered
during the discussion.
Sex – determined by 2 sex chromosomes

Female: XX Male: XY
Sex of an individual
- depends on the presence of the Y
chromosome in the fertilized egg
- can be determined in terms of
chromosomal, gonadal, & anatomical
features

Hermaphrodites
- Individuals who can have both male &
female reproductive organs
primary sex organs
secondary sex organs
secondary sex characteristics
PRIMARY SEX ORGANS
Gonads – are those that produce
gametes (sperm and eggs)
Male: testes Female: ovaries
SECONDARY SEX ORGANS
- essential to reproduction,

Male: Female:
ducts, glands, penis uterine tubes, uterus, vagina
SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS

Features not essential

for reproduction but
attract the sexes to
each other.
 Parts & Functions
of the
Reproductive System
The Male Reproductive System
Testes – a pair of glands made up of coiled
tubules in which the sperm cells are
formed & sex hormones are produced;
- developed near the kidneys, in the male
fetus
- descend through the abdominal wall into
a sac called scrotum, just before birth
seminiferous tubule – secret
testosterone by interstitial (Leydig) cells
 sperm

testosterone
Scrotum – a pouch
of skin that hangs
behind the penis,
houses the testes,
& protect the
sperm and
maintain the
temperature of the
testes 2o lower
than body
temperature for the
sperm to survive
Epididymis – the storage site of mature
sperm cells (2-4 days after being
produced). It absorbs about 90% of the
fluid secreted by the testis.
- long, narrow coiled duct that attaches to
each testis
Penis – a soft tubular organ that hangs
front of the male body; contains erectile
tissue making it larger & stiffer due to
increase flow of blood during ejaculation
- For sexual intercourse & functions to
transfer sperm
Vas deferens – the tube that receives
sperm from the epididymis of each testicle
- thick-walled, ciliated ducts
Urethra – the tube
that passes
through the penis
to the outside of
the body, which
carries urine &
sperm
seminal vesicles
– secrete a thick
fluid that
nourishes the
sperm
Ejaculatory
ducts – the tubes
that are lined with
muscles that
contract to force
the semen out of
the body during
ejaculation
semen/
seminal fluid
– the fluid
expelled during
orgasm;
mixture of
secretion from
epididymis,
seminal
vesicle,
prostate, &
bulbourethral
gland.
Major constituents of semen
• Sperm
• Fructose
• Clotting and anticoagulant factors
• Prostaglandins
• Spermine
* Semen released during ejaculation
may contain about 400M sperm cells.
Sperm cells from epididymis are
present at a count of 50-120M
sperm/mL.

Sperm count decreased from 113M

sperm/mL in 1940 to 66M sperm/mL in
1990. Semen volume dropped by
19%.

< 20-25M/ml = infertility (sterility)

enzymes used to
dissolve a path to
penetrate the egg

gene

produce ATP for

sperm motility.
Fructose – produced by the seminal
vesicles
- Provides a source of energy for the
sperm.

Clotting and anticoagulant factors

- produced by seminal vesicles and
prostate.
- Semen clots like blood.
- about 15-30 minutes later,
anticoagulant factors dissolve the clot.
Prostaglandins
- produced by the prostate and seminal
vesicles,
- stimulate peristaltic contractions of the
female reproductive tract that may help
draw semen into the uterus.

Spermine
- is a base that reduces acidity of the female
vagina, increasing the survival rate of sperm.
Male Sexual
Response

1) erection of the
penis, allowing
it to penetrate
the female
vagina

1) ejaculation,
expelling
semen into the
vagina
Ejaculation
Initiated by sympathetic nerve impulses
The ducts and accessory glands contract,
emptying their contents into the urethra.
The urethral sphincters constrict.
The bulbospongiosus muscles of the penis
contract rapidly and rhythmically,
propelling semen from the urethra.
Fate of sperm cells

 capacitated (test tube?)

 viable for 2 days (egg: 12-24
hr)

 Only ~ 100 reach the

destination.
 Only one sperm fertilizes
the egg, sometimes 2.
Refractory Period

A period following
ejaculation and
lasting anywhere
from 10 minutes to a
few hours
impossible to attain
another erection and
orgasm
The Female Reproductive System
 adapted to produce eggs, receive
the penis & sperm, & incubate the
embryo during pregnancy
Ovary
Ovaries
- Are small & almond-shaped organs
- Located inside the female, one on each side
of the body a few inches below the waist
- Secrete estrogen & progesterone to produce
mature egg cells (oocyte/ oogenesis)
- Primary oocytes > immature eggs; each is
enclosed in a nourishing cell called follicle
Ovaries
- Most primary oocytes undergo a process of
degeneration called atresia. Only 2 million
remain at the time of birth, and by puberty,
only 400,000 remain
- Only one oocyte is ovulated each 28-day
cycle
Ovaries
- Also produce inhibin (protein hormones) &
small amount of androgen (mostly in men)

Ovulation - when a mature egg is released

from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube,
and is available to be fertilized
- Happens every 28 days
 Ovulation of a Human Follicle, viewed by Endoscopy

Oocyte

Uterine tube
Fimbriae
Fallopian tubes or oviducts
- Are 2 very fine tubes
that extended from each
ovary into the uterus
- contain the egg or
secondary oocyte until
fertilization takes place
- provide a passageway
leading the sperm to the
egg & the fertilized egg
to the uterus
Uterus or Womb
- Hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ
that receives a successful fertilized
ovum, located between the 2 ovaries
- harbors the embryo
- provides nutrients
- expels the fetus at the end of its
development
Uterus or Womb
- Thickens every month in preparation for
pregnancy
- If the egg remains unfertilized, the
uterus sheds, then leave the body as
menstrual discharge
Cervix
- A narrow structure within an inch-long canal
connecting the lower end of the uterus to the
upper portion of the vagina
- Secretes mucus that helps the sperm to enter
the uterus & prevents bacterial infection;
muscles expands during pregnancy to
accommodate the growing baby
Vagina or Birth canal
- Thin-walled muscular tube that
receives the penis during
sexual intercourse
- Hollow tube from the cervix to
the outside of the body
- Wall is elastic, which allows it
to expand during childbirth &
sexual intercourse
- Its lining is bathed with mucus
- Bacteria ferment glycogen to
lactic acid, resulting in a low
vaginal pH.
Vulva
- The external genitalia that includes the
following parts:
1. Mons veneris – the hairy skin-covered
pad of fat over the pubic bone
2. Labia minora – are the small lips
covered with modified skin; shield the
genital & urinary openings
3. Labia majora – are the large lips
covered with pubic hair; provide extra
protection; the same tissue that forms
the scrotum in males
Vulva
- The external genitalia that includes the
following parts:
4. Vaginal orifice – the opening into the
vagina
5. Clitoris – the small almond-shaped erectile
tissue located below junction of 2 minora & is
the center of sexual stimulation
- Fills with blood & becomes firm during sexual
arousal
Vulva
Accessary glands
- opening into the vestibule or lower vagina.
- keep the vagina moist and provide most of the
lubrication for intercourse
Reflection (dyad)

Give your insights about the following:

1. Teenage pregnancy
2. Pre-marital sex
3. Reproductive Health bill

*answers should be written on a short

bond paper