FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE
PHYSIOLOGY
 2 Major Phases of
Female Reproductive
Functions
1. Preparation of the female
body
for conception and
gestation.
2. Period of gestation
Female External
Genitalia
Female Sexual Organs
Female Sexual Organs
Female Hormonal
System
Female Sexual Cycle
 Gonadotropin Releasing
Hormone (GnRH)
 secreted by the hypothalamus
 secreted in pulses every 1-3 hours
 pulsatile nature of GnRH release is essential to its
function
 stimulate the anterior pituitary to release FSH and
LH
 pulsatile release of GnRH causes pulsatile output of
LH
 hypothalamic centers for release of GnRH:
 mediobasal hypothalamus, esp. the arcuate nuclei
(controls most of female sexual activity)
 preoptic area of anterior hypothalamus
 limbic system transmit signals to arcuate nuclei to
modify the intensity and frequency of pulsatile GnRH
 Gonadotropic
Hormones
(FSH and
 small glycoproteins
LH)
small glycoproteins
 secreted by the anterior pituitary
 target organs: testes in the male; ovary in
the female
 mechanism of action: bind to receptors
which activate the cAMP second
messenger system in the cell cytoplasm
→ growth and proliferation of cells
 cyclic increase and decrease of FSH and
LH causes the cyclic ovarian changes
characteristic of the the female sexual
cycle
 FSH and LH Action on the
Follicle Unit and Corpus
 FSH Luteum
 initiation of follicle growth
 induction of aromatase enzyme → increased
estradiol
 induction of FSH and LH receptors
 acts synergistically with estradiol to increase FSH
receptors and granulosa cells
 stimulation of inhibin production
 LH
 initiates luteinization and progesterone
production by granulosa cells
 LH surge stimulates completion of meiotic oocyte
division
 maintains corpus luteum progesterone production
 Inhibin
 secreted by the granulosa cells of the
corpus luteum
 inhibit secretion of FSH by the
anterior pituitary and LH to a lesser
extent
 believed to be important in causing
the decrease in secretion of FSH and
LH at the end of the female sexual
cycle
 PUBERTY - period of change which occurs
when the anterior pituitary begins to
secrete increasing amounts of FSH and LH
at about the age of 8 years which later
culminates in the initiation of monthly
sexual cycles between the ages of 11 and
16 years
 MENARCH - first menstrual cycle
 MENOPAUSE
 period during which the cycles cease and and
the female sex hormones diminish to almost
none
 cause is “burning out” of the ovaries:
progressive decrease in the number of
primordial follicle→ decreased production of
estrogen by the ovary
→ loss of negative feedback inhibition of FSH
and LH
 Ovarian Hormones
(Estrogen and
Progestins)
ESTROGEN
 secreted mostly by the ovaries in normal
nonpregnant females
 small amount is secreted by adrenal
cortices
 most important estrogen is estradiol
 mainly promote proliferation and growth
of specific cells of the body
 responsible for development of most of
the secondary sexual characteristics of
the female
 3 types in estrogens in human female plasma:
1. β-Estradiol - the principal estrogen
secreted
by the ovaries
2. Estrone - mainly formed in the peripheral
tissues from androgens secreted by the
adrenal cortices and by the ovarian thecal
cells
3. Estriol - weak estrogen converted from
estradiol and estrone in the liver
 estrogenic potency of β-estradiol is 12x that of
estrone and 80x that of estriol
Synthesis of Estrogen and Progesterone
 both are steroid compounds
 synthesized in the ovary mainly from
cholesterol and to a slight extent from
acetyl coenzyme A
 during synthesis, progesterone and
testosterone are synthesized first but
during the follicular phase of the
ovarian cycle almost all of the
testosterone and much of the
progesterone are converted into
estrogen by the granulosa cells
 during the luteal phase, far too much
progesterone is formed for all of it to
be converted to estrogen → increased
progesterone secretion
Transport of Estrogen and Progesterone
 transported in the blood bound mainly with
plasma albumin and specific estrogen- and
progesterone- binding globulins
Fate of Estrogen
 liver conjugates the estrogens to form
glucoronides and sulfates
 most of these conjugated products are
excreted in the urine while 1/5 is excreted
in the bile
 liver also converts the potent estrogens
estradiol and estrone into the impotent
estrogen estriol
 diminished liver function will increase the
activity of estrogen in the body
 Functions of Estrogen

1. Effect on the uterus and external genitalia

 enlargement of the ovaries, fallopian tubes,
uterus and vagina
 enlargement of the external genitalia
 deposition of fats in the mons pubis and labia
majora
 change vaginal epithelium from cuboidal to
stratified type
 marked proliferation of the endometrial stroma
 increased development of the endometrial
glands
2. Effect on the fallopian tubes
 proliferation of glandular tissue
 increased number of ciliated epithelial
cells
 increased ciliary activity that helps
propel the fertilized ovum towards the
uterus
3. Effect on the the breasts
 responsible for the characteristic
growth and appearance of the mature
female breast
 development of the stromal tissues of
the breast
 growth of an extensive ductile system
4. Effect on the skeleton
 increased osteoblastic activity
 causes early union of the epiphyses with the shaft
of long bones
 deficiency of estrogen during menopause can
lead to osteoporosis due to:
a. decreased osteoblastic activity of bone
b. decreased bone matrix
c. decreased deposition of bone calcium and
phosphate
5. Effect on protein deposition
 cause slight increase in total body protein→
slightly positive nitrogen balance
 enhanced protein deposition by testosterone is
much more general and much more powerful than
6. Effect on metabolism and fat
deposition
 increase the metabolic rate slightly (only
1/3 as much as that caused by
testosterone)
 deposition of increased quantities of fats
in the subcutaneous tissues
 deposition of fats in the thighs and the
buttocks
7. Effect on hair distribution
 do not greatly affect hair distribution
8. Effect on the skin
 development of a thicker but soft and
usually smooth skin
9. Effect on electrolyte balance
 cause sodium and water retention by the
kidney tubules
10. Intracellular functions of estrogens
 estrogen combine with a cytoplasmic
receptor protein and together they will
activate specific portions of the
chromosomal DNA
→ initiation of transcription (RNA
production)
→ cell division
PROGESTINS
 most important progestin is
progesterone
 concerned almost entirely with final
preparation of the uterus for
pregnancy and the breasts for
lactation
 secreted in minute amounts during
the first half of the ovarian cycle by
the ovaries and the adrenal cortices
 secreted in significant amounts only
during the second half of the ovarian
Fate of Progesterone
 almost all the progesterone is
degraded within minutes of its
secretion to other steroids with no
progesteronic activity
 liver is also important in the
metabolic degradation of
progesterone
 major end product of progesterone
 Functions of
Progesterone
1. Effect on the uterus
 promote secretory changes in the uterine
endometrium during the second half of
the female sexual cycle (most important
function of progesterone)
 prepares the uterus for implantation of
the fertilized ovum
 decreases the frequency and intensity of
uterine contractions
2. Effect on the fallopian tubes
 promotes secretory changes in the
mucosal lining of the fallopian tubes
which are necessary for the nutrition of
the fertilized, dividing ovum as it
traverses the fallopian tube
3. Effect on the breasts
 promotes the development of lobules
and alveoli in the breast
 causes swelling of the breast due to the
secretory development in the lobules
and alveoli and also due toincreased
fluid in the subcutaneous tissue.
 does not cause the alveoli to actually
4. Effect on electrolyte balance
 progesterone in large quantities can
enhance sodium, chloride and water
reabsorption in the distal tubules of the
kidney
 more often causes increased sodium
and water excretion than retention due
to its competitive antagonism of the
effects of aldosterone
 Female Sexual Cycle
 monthly rhythmical changes in the
secretion of the female hormones and the
corresponding changes in the ovaries and
sexual organs
 duration of cycle averages 28 days
 abnormal cycle length is frequently
associated with decreased fertility
 two significant results of the female cycle:
1. only a single ovum is normally released from
the ovaries
each month so that normally only a single fetus
can begin to
grow at a time
2. the uterine endometrium is prepared for
implantation of the
Female Sexual Cycle
OVARIAN CYCLE

 FOLLICULAR PHASE
 OVULATION
 LUTEAL PHASE
 FOLLICULAR PHASE
(Ovarian Follicular
Growth)
 PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE
 consist of an ovum surrounded by a
single layer of granulosa cells
 present at birth and throughout
childhood
 granulosa cells provide nourishment for
the ovum and secrete an oocyte
maturation-inhibiting factor
 ovum is suspended in the prophase
stage of meiotic division
 PRIMARY FOLLICLES
 ovum enlarges with growth of
additional layers of granulosa cells
 occurs after onset puberty when FSH
and LH begin to be secreted in
increasing amounts by the anterior
pituitary
 some of the development of the
follicle up to this stage can occur
even in the absence of FSH and LH
but development beyond this point is
not possible without FSH and LH
 ANTRAL FOLLICLES
 early growth of the primary follicle up to the
antral stage is stimulated mainly by FSH alone
 slight to moderate increase in FSH during the
first few days of the menstrual cycle causes
accelerated growth of 6 to 12 primary follicles
each month
 effect of FSH:
 rapid proliferation of granulosa cells → increase in
granulosa cell layer
 spindle cells from the ovarian interstitium form several
layers of cells outside the granulosa cell layer to give
rise to the theca interna and theca externa
 mass of granulosa cells secrete a follicular fluid
that contain a high concentration of estrogen
 accumulation of fluid causes an antrum to
appear within the mass of granulosa cells
 VESICULAR FOLLICLE
 larger follicles that results from the accelerated
growth of the antral follicle
 causes of accelerated growth of antral follicles:
 estrogen secreted into the follicle causes the granulosa
cells to form increasing numbers of FSH receptors→
granulosa cells become even more sensitive to the
effects of FSH
 FSH and estrogen combine to increase the number of
LH receptors in granulosa cells→LH stimulation of
granulosa cells and causes a rapid increase in follicular
secretion
 Estrogen and LH act together to cause proliferation of
follicular thecal cells and increase their secretions
 ovum diameter increases as much as 10-fold or
a mass increase of 1000-fold
 ovum (still in the primary oocyte stage) remains
embedded in a mass of granulosa cells at one
pole of the follicle
Development of the
Ovum
Germinal epithelium of fetal ovary
Primordial ova

Primordial follicle

Primary oocyte

At the30th week of gestation, the number of ova reaches

about 6 million; only about 2 million are present at birth
and only 300,000-400,000 are present at puberty
Development of the
Ovum
Development of the
Ovum
 MATURATION OF ONLY ONE FOLLICLE
 before ovulation occurs, one of the follicles will
begin to outgrow all the others
 less developed follicles begin to involute (a
process called atresia) and are now called
atretic follicles
 postulated mechanism for the fulldevelopment
of only one follicle is the secretion of more
estrogen by this highly developed follicle
→ causes a positive feedback which increases FSH
secretion→increase proliferation of granulosa and
theca cells→ increased estrogen production
→ combination of estrogen and FSH increases FSH and LH
receptors in granulosa cells and theca cell→increase
stimulation of the these cells
→ large amounts of estrogen exerts a negative feedback
on the hypothalamus→decrease FSH secretion by
anterior pituitary→block further growth of less well-
developed follicles
 process of atresia is important in that it allows
only one of the follicles to grow large enough to
ovulate
 OVULATION
 occur on the 14th day (midcycle) of a
normal 28-days female sexual cycle
 rupture of a follicle with release of
the ovum occurs at a protrusion in
the capsule called the stigma
 released ovum is surrounded by
small granulosa cells called the
corona radiata
 Ovulatory Surge of LH
 necessary for final follicular growth and
ovulation
 marked and rapid increase in LH secretion
by the anterior pituitary (6-10X) which
peaks at about 16 hours before ovulation
 associated with increased FSH (2-3X)
which acts synergistically with LH to cause
rapid swelling of the follicle before
ovulation
 LH converts the granulosa and theca cells
into more progesterone secreting cells
and less estrogen secretion → decreased
estrogen
 Mechanism for
Ovulation
Luteinizing Hormone

Follicular steroid hormone

(Progesterone)

Proteolytic enzymes Follicular hyperemia and

(Collagenase) Prostaglandin secretion

Weakened follicular wall Plasma transudation into follicle

Degeneration of the stigma Follicle swelling

Follicle rupture

Evagination of the ovum

 LUTEAL PHASE
 starts shortly after expulsion of the ovum
 remaining granulosa and theca interna cells
change rapidly into lutein cells a few hours
after ovulation and form the corpus luteum
 granulosa and theca cells cells enlarge and
become filled with lipid inclusions that give
them a yellowish appearance (luteinization)
 granulosa cells of the corpus luteum form
large amounts of the female sex hormones
progesterone and estrogen (more
progesterone)
 theca cells form mainly the androgen
androstenedione and testosterone →
converted to female hormones by the
granulosa cells
 corpus albicans - formed 12 days
after ovulation when the corpus
luteum involute and loses its
secretory function as well as its
yellowish,lipid characteristics
 change of granulosa and theca
interna cells into lutein cells is
mainly dependent on LH
 luteinization of granulosa cells also
depends on the extrusion of the
ovum from the follicle
 luteinization-inhibiting factor in
folliclular fluid prevents luteinization
 corpus luteum secretes large amounts of
both progesterone and estrogen
 lutein cells undergo a process of
preordained sequence of events:
1. proliferation
2. enlargement
3. secretion
4. degeneration
 can occur even the absence of LH but will last
only 4-8 days
 presence of LH prolongs the life and secretory
function of the corpus luteum up to about 12
days
 chorionic gonadotropin maintains the life and
function of the corpus luteum during the first
2-4 months of pregnancy
 Causes of Involution of the Corpus
Luteum
1. negative feedback effect of
estrogen (mainly) and progesterone
secreted by the corpus luteum on the
anterior pituitary → decreased FSH
and LH secretion
2. inhibin - secreted by the luteal
cells and inhibits anterior pituitary
secretions ( esp. FSH secretion) →
decreased FSH and LH→corpus
luteum degenerate
 lack of secretion of estrogen,
progesterone and inhibin after
involution of the corpus luteum
removes the feedback inhibition on
 ENDOMETRIAL CYCLE
PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
 under the influence of estrogens
 stromal cells and epithelial cells
proliferate rapidly
 endometrial surface is re-epithelialized
within 4-7 days from onset of
menstruation
 endometrial thickness greatly increase
due to proliferation of stromal cells and
progressive growth of endometrial glands
and new blood vessels (3-4 mm thick at
ovulation)
 endometrial glands particularly those in
the cervical region secrete a thin stringy
SECRETORY PHASE
 progestational phase
 occurs after ovulation
 estrogen cause slight additional
cellular proliferation
 progesterone causes marked swelling
and secretory development of the
endometrium
 glands increase in tortuosity with
increased amounts of secretory
substances in the glandular epithelial
cells

 blood supply to the endometrium increase
further and blood vessels become highly
tortuous
 purpose of all these endometrial changes
is to produce a highly secretory
endometrium that contain large amounts
of stored nutrients
 uterine secretions (“uterine milk”) provide
nutrition for the fertilized ovum from the
time the ovum enters the uterine cavity
from the fallopian tubes (3-4 days after
ovulation) until the time the ovum
implants (7-9 days after ovulation)
MENSTRUATION
 results from the sudden reduction of
estrogen and specially progesterone
secretion due to involution of the
corpus luteum at the end of the
ovarian cycle
 decreased stimulation of the
endometrial cells by estrogen and
progesterone results in involution of
the endometrium
 blood vessels become vasospastic
presumably due to release of a
vasoconstrictor substance (?
prostaglandin)
 necrosis of endometrium and blood
vessels results from the vasospasm
 desquamation of the necrotic
superficial outer layer of the
endometrium
 mass of necrotic tissue and blood in
the uterine cavity and possibly the
contractile effect of prostaglandins
initiate uterine contraction that expel
the uterine contents
 during normal menstruation, 40 ml of
blood and 35 ml of serous fluid are
lost
 menstrual fluid is normally
nonclotting due to the presence of
fibrinolysin
 loss of blood ceases within 4-7 days
when the endometrium has re-
epithelialized
 tremendous numbers of leukocytes
Female Sexual Cycle
Hormone Feedback Controls
in the Female Reproductive
Cycle
 Female Sexual Act
1. Stimulation of the female sexual act
 need both psychic stimulation and
localsexual stimulation
 desire changes during the sexual month
and reaches a peak near the time of
ovulation
 local stimulation may involve massage
and othertypes of stimulation of the
vulva, vagina and other perineal regions
 glans of the clitoris is specially sensitive
for initiating sexual sensations
 sexual sensory signals are transmitted
to the sacral segments of the spinal
2. Erection and lubrication
 parasympathetic signals dilate the
arteries of erectile tissues located
around the introitus and extending up to
the clitoris→ erectile tissue rapidly fills
up with blood → introitus tightens
around the penis
 dilatation of arteries possibly results
from release of nitric oxide from nerve
endings
 erectile tissues are under the control of
parasympathetic nerves that pass
through the nervi erigentes from the
sacral plexus to the external genitalia
 parasympathetic signals also pass to the
bilateral Bartholin’s gland located
beneath the labia minora → secretion of
mucus immediately inside the introitus
which provides lubrication during sexual
3. Orgasm (Female Climax)
 analogous to emission and ejaculation in the
male
 intense sexual sensation pass to the cerebrum
and cause intense muscle tension throughout
the body
 may help promote fertilization of the ovum by
the following proposed mechanisms:
a. reflex rhythmical contraction of perineal muscle
and increase motility of the uterus and fallopian tubes
during orgasm may help transport the sperm upwards
b. orgasm seem to cause dilatation of the cervical canal
for
up to 30 minutes thus allowing easy transport of the
sperm
c. in lower animals, copulation causes the posterior
pituitary
to secrete oxytocin→increased rhythmical contraction
of
the uterus→rapid transport of sperm
4. Resolution
 sense of satisfaction characterized by relaxed
Fertile Period of Sexual
Cycle
 ovum remains viable and capable of
being fertilized after being expelled
from the ovary for up to 24 hours
 most sperms can remain fertile in
the female reproductive tract for no
more than 24 hours although a few
may remain fertile for up to 72 hours
 for fertilization to take place,
intercourse usually must occur
between 1-2 days before ovulation
 Rhythm Method of
Contraception
 involves avoidance of intercourse near the
time of ovulation
 difficulty with this method is the
impossibility of predicting the exact time of
ovulation
 interval from ovulation to onset of the next
succeeding menstruation is almost always
between 13-15 days
 avoid intercourse for 4 days before the
calculated day of ovulation and 3 days
afterward
 used only when the periodicity of the
menstrual cycle is regular
 The Pill
 hormonal suppression of fertility
 based on the prevention/inhibition of the
preovulatory surge of LH secretion by the
administration of estrogen and/or
progesterone
 commonly consist of a combination of
synthetic estrogen and synthetic progestins
since the natural hormones are almost
entirely destroyed by the liver within a
short time after ingestion
 usually begun in the early stages of the
monthly cycle, continued beyond the time
of ovulation then stopped to allow
menstruation to occur
 MALE
REPRODUCTIVE
PHYSIOLOGY
PHYSIOLOGIC ANATOMY
OF THE MALE SEXUAL
ORGAN
PHYSIOLOGIC ANATOMY
OF THE MALE SEXUAL
ORGAN
PHYSIOLOGIC ANATOMY
OF THE MALE SEXUAL
ORGAN
Major Subdivisions of
Male Reproductive
Function
1. SPERMATOGENESIS
2. PERFORMANCE OF THE MALE
SEXUAL ACT
3. HORMONAL REGULATION OF
MALE
REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS
SPERMATOGENESIS
(44XY) Type A Spermatogonia
mitosis
(44XY) Type B Spermatogonia
mitosis
(44XY) Primary Spermatocyte
1st meiotic division
(44XY) Secondary Spermatocyte
2nd meiotic division
(22X or Y) Spermatids
Spermiogenesis
(22X or Y) Spermatozoa
SPERMATOGENESIS
 Spermatogenesis
 formation of sperm
 occurs in the seminiferous tubules
 occurs throughout adult life
 entire period of spermatogenesis, from
germinal cells to sperm, takes about 64 days
 SERTOLI CELLS
 considered the primary regulators of
spermatogenesis
 provide physical and nutritional support for the
germ cells
 membranes form a blood-testes barrier that
minimizes exposure of germ cells to harmful
circulating substances
 have distinct secretory and endocrine functions
 Spermiogenesis
 complex transformation of spermatids into
specialized spermatozoa
 golgi apparatus, containing hyaluronidase
and other proteases, is transformed into
the acrosome (caplike structure covering
the anterior 2/3 of the sperm head)
 centrioles and mitochondria are
transformed into the flagella (sperm tail)
 unnecessary cellular organelles and some
of its cytoplasm are cast off as residual
bodies
 condensation of the nucleus and
chromatin to form a compact head
 Hormonal Factors That
Stimulate
Spermatogenesis
 TESTOSTERONE
 secreted by the Leydig’s cells located in the
interstitium of the testis
 essential for growth and division of germinal cells
in the formation of the sperm
 LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH)
 secreted by the anterior pituitary
 stimulate the Leydig’s cells to secrete
testosterone
 FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH)
 secreted by the anterior pituitary
 stimulate the Sertoli cell
 stimulation of Sertoli cells by FSH is necessary for
spermiogenesis to oocur
 ESTROGEN
 formed from testosterone by the Sertoli
cell when they are stimulated by FSH
 probably also essential for
spermiogenesis
 Sertoli cells also secrete an androgen-
binding protein that binds both
testosterone and estrogen and carries
them into the lumen of the seminiferous
tubules to make them available for the
maturing sperm
 GROWTH HORMONE
 promotes early division of the
 Maturation of the
Sperm in the
Epididymis
 after formation in the seminiferous tubules,
the sperms will have to pass through the
epididymis
 sperm develops the capability for motility
after they have been in the epididymis for
18-24 hours but inhibitory proteins in the
epididymal fluid prevents actual motility
until after ejaculation
 after ejaculation, the sperm do become
motile and they also become capable of
fertilizing the ovum (maturation)
 Sertoli cells and the epithelium of the
epididymis secrete a special nutrient fluid
that may be important for sperm
maturation
 Storage of Sperms
 the 2 testes of a young adult form about
120 million sperms per day
 most of them stored in the vas deferens
and ampulla of the vas deferens
 a small quantity can be stored by the
epididymis
 sperms can be stored, maintaining their
fertility, in the genital tract for at least a
month
 during storage sperms are kept in the
inactive state by numerous inhibitory
substances in the secretions of the ducts
 Physiology of the
Mature Sperm
 capable of flagellated movement in fluid
media at a speed of 1-4 mm/minute
 tend to travel in a straight line
 activity of sperm is greatly enhanced in
neutral and slightly alkaline media but
greatly depressed in mildly acidic media
 activity of sperm increases with increasing
temperature but since rate of metabolism is
also increased, lifespan of the sperm is also
considerably shortened
 sperm can live for many weeks in the
genital ducts of the testes but lifespan is
 Function of the Seminal
Vesicle
 seminal vesicle is a secretory gland

 secrete a mucoid material that contain

fructose, citric acid, other nutrient and large
quantities of prostaglandins and fibrinogen
 empties its content into the ejaculatory duct
during the process of emission
 fructose and other substances are of
considerable nutrient value for the ejaculated
sperm
 prostaglandins are believed to aid fertilization
by:
 reacting with cervical mucus to make it more
receptive to sperm movement
 Function of the
Prostate Gland
 secrete a thin milky fluid that contains
citrate, calcium, phosphate, a clotting
enzyme and a profibrinolysin
 capsule of the prostate gland contracts
simultaneously with the contraction of the
vas deferens during emission
 slightly alkaline nature of prostatic fluid
may be important for successful
fertilization of the ovum because the
relatively acidic fluid of the vas deferens
and vaginal secretions may help inhibit
sperm fertility
 sperm do not become optimally motile
until pH of surrounding fluid increases to
about 6.0-6.5
 Semen
 fluid ejaculated during the male sexual act
 compose of fluid and sperm from the vas
deferens (10%), fluid from the seminal
vesicle (60%), fluid from the prostate gland
(30%) and a small amount from the mucous
glands particularly the bulbourethral gland
 bulk of semen is seminal vesicle fluid which
is the last to be ejaculated and serves to
wash the sperm out of the ejaculatory duct
and urethra
 average pH is 7.5
 prostatic fluid gives semen a milky
 clotting enzyme of the prostatic fluid
causes the fibrinogen of the seminal
vesicle fluid to form a coagulum that
holds the semen in the deeper
regions of the vagina
 coagulum subsequently dissolves
over the next 15-30 minutes due to
lysis by the fibrinolysin from prostatic
profibribrinolysin
 sperm becomes highly motile as
soon as coagulum dissolves
 Semen Analysis

 Normal semen analysis:

1. Ejaculate volume ≥ 2 ml
2. Sperm concentration ≥ 20
million/ml
3. ≥ 50% of sperm have
progressive forward
motility
4. ≥ 30% of sperm have normal
morphology
 Capacitation of the
Spermatozoa
 refers to the multiple changes that
occur to activate the sperm for the
final process of fertilization
 usually occurs upon contact of the
sperm with the fluids from the
female genital tract
 requires 1-10 hours
 changes that are believed to occur
during capacitation:
 uterine and fallopian tube fluids wash
away the inhibitory factors that have
suppressed sperm activity in the male
genital tract
 sperm swims away from the cholesterol
vesicles which have deposited and
toughened the membrane covering the
acrosome and prevented it from
releasing its enzymes
 membrane of the sperm head becomes
highly permeable to calcium; calcium
 Acrosome
 acrosomes of sperms contain large
amounts of hyaluronidase and proteolytic
enzymes
 hyaluronidase dissolves the hyaluronic
acid polymers in the intercellular cement
that binds the granulosa cells together
 hyaluronidase is specially important in
opening pathways between the granulosa
cells and ovum
 sperm must pass through granulosa cell
layer, zona pellucida, perivitteline space
and membrane of oocyte
 as soon as anterior membrane of the
sperm binds to receptors in the zona
pellucida, entire anterior membrane
dissolves and all acrosomal enzyme are
immediately released
 Reasons why only one
sperm is able to enter
 only a few the oocyte
sperm ever gets as far as the
zona pellucida
 within minutes after the first sperm
penetrates the zona pellucida, calcium
diffuse across the oocyte membrane and
cause the release of multiple cortical
granules which contain substances that
prevent the binding of additional sperms
 changes in the oocyte membrane after its
fusion with the sperm are believed to cause
electrical depolarization which tend to fend
off subsequent sperms
 STAGES OF THE MALE
SEXUAL ACT
 ERECTION
 degree of erection is proportional to the
degree of stimulation, whether psychic or
physical
 caused by parasympathetic impulses that pass
from the sacral portion of the spinal cord
through the pelvic nerve to the penis
 parasympathetic fiber secrete nitric oxide →
relaxes the arteries to the penis as well as the
smooth muscle fibers in the erectile tissues of
the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
→ fills up with blood → penis becomes hard
and elongated
 LUBRICATION
 parasympathetic impulses also causes the
urethral glands and the bulbourethral gland to
secrete mucus
 most of the lubrication during coitus is provided
by the female sexual organs
 EMISSION
 forerunner of ejaculation
 initiated by sympathetic impulses from L1 and
L2 that pass to the genital organs through the
hypogastric and pelvic plexuses
 begins with contraction of the vas deferens and
ampulla which expels the sperm into the internal
urethra followed by contraction of the prostate
gland then finally contraction of the seminal
vesicle
 EJACULATION
 initiated by filling of the internal urethra which
elicits sensory signals that are transmitted to the
sacral regions of the cord through the pudendal
nerve
 sensory signals also excite rhythmical contraction
of the internal genital organs and cause
contraction of the ischiocavernosus and
bulbocavernosus muscles that compress the
bases of the penile erectile tissue
 rhythmical, wave-like increases in pressure in the
urethra and genital ducts expel the semen from
the urethra to the exterior
 rhythmical contractions of the pelvic muscles
cause thrusting movements of the pelvis and the
penis which also help propel the semen into the
deepest recesses of the vagina
Regulation of Male
Hormones