1.

What are two ways in which the female reproductive system protects itself
from pathogens?
[10 marks]

The first way in female reproduvtive system to protect itself from pathogen is
epithelial cell tight junctions. Epithelial cells throughout the female reproductive tract
(FRT) will provide a physical barrier to protect against microbial infection and it can
allow the transport of sperm, or ovum. Stratified squamous epithelial cells that lining
with both of the vagina and the ectocervix are loosely connected. Difference with the
lower FRT, the upper FRT is lined with columnar epithelial cells that form tight
junctions to maintain the integrity of the mucosal monolayer in the endocervix, uterus
and Fallopian tubes.
Tight junctions are intercellular connections between adjacent cells that restrict
mixing of apical and basolateral compartments as well as control paracellular
permeability across epithelial monolayers. Tight junctions consist of transmembrane
and peripheral membrane proteins interacting to form a complex adhesion network
For example, the transmembrane claudins interact with the cellular occludin for
structural integrity of the tight junction. These and other tight junction proteins are
involved in other cell processes such as proliferation and differentiation. Aberrations
in these proteins contribute to pathological conditions, including cancer. At the center
of this dynamic system are the epithelial cells that line the Fallopian tubes, uterus,
cervix and vagina. Epithelial cells provide a first line of defense that confers
continuous protection, by providing a physical barrier as well as secretions containing
bactericidal and virucidal agents.
The second way that can protect itself from pathogen is vagina can play the
important role from protect itself to the risk of pathogen. As the information, The
vaginais a muscular canal (approximately 10 cm long) that serves as the entrance to
the reproductive tract. It also serves as the exit from the uterus during menses and
childbirth. The outer walls of the anterior and posterior vagina are formed into
longitudinal columns, or ridges, and the superior portion of the vagina (called the
fornix, which meets the protruding uterine cervix). The walls of the vagina are lined
with an outer, fibrous adventitia; a middle layer of smooth muscle; and an inner
mucous membrane with transverse folds called rugae. Together, the middle and
inner layers allow the expansion of the vagina to accommodate intercourse and
childbirth. The thin, perforated hymen can partially surround the opening to the
vaginal orifice. The hymen can be ruptured with strenuous physical exercise, penile–
vaginal intercourse, and childbirth. The Bartholin’s glands and the lesser vestibular
glands (located near the clitoris) secrete mucus, which keeps the vestibular area
moist.
The vagina is the “home” to a normal population of microorganisms that help to
protect against infection by pathogenic bacteria, yeast, or other organisms that can
enter the vagina. In a healthy woman, the most predominant type of vaginal bacteria
is from the genus Lactobacillus. This family of beneficial bacterial flora secretes lactic
acid, and thus protects the vagina by maintaining an acidic pH (below 4.5). Potential
pathogens are less likely to survive in these acidic conditions. Lactic acid, in
combination with other vaginal secretions, makes the vagina a self-cleansing organ.
However, we need know that douching or washing out the vagina will make the soup
foam combine with vagina fluid. This is very serious because this can disrupt the
normal balance of healthy microorganisms, and increase a woman’s risk for
infections and irritation. According to the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, they recommend that women do not douche, allow the vagina to
maintain its normal healthy population of protective microbial flora.

2. There are so many diseases connected to our reproductive system. Name 4

of it and explain. Must tell either it attack woman or man?
[20 marks]

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacterial spirochete Treponema pallidum. Although

known in Europe since the 15th century, syphilis was not recognized as a sexually
transmitted disease until some 200 years ago. It first will appear as a painless sore,
called a chancre, on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals two to four weeks
after unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner, although the initial
symptoms may appear in other areas in unusual cases. The infection induces
antibodies against T. pallidum that can be identified in the bloodstream by various
tests some weeks after the initial infection. If untreated, the chancre disappears, and
the person develops a rash on the genitals (secondary syphilis). Subsurface nodules,
called gumma, appear in the tertiary stage of the disease. The organism invades
the nervous system at an early stage, but neurologic symptoms, including
behavioral aberrations, often do not occur until the infection has been present for
several years. Antibiotics, usually penicillin, are used to treat all stages of syphilis but
are most effective during the primary stage; antibiotics can also prevent transmission
of the infection from a pregnant woman to her fetus, which could result
in miscarriage or severe congenital defects.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, this is a type of bacteria with an

extremely short incubation period, making it difficult to interrupt the chain of
transmission. Infection, almost invariably due to unprotected sexual intercourse with
an infected partner, it can be prevented by the use of a condom. The main symptom
of gonorrhea in the male is pain or burning during urination, although there also may
be a discharge from the penis. Some 50 percent of infected females are
asymptomatic; while in symptomatic cases, the signs of infection are similar to those
seen in the male. Gonorrhea spreads locally along mucosal surfaces, ascending
the urethra in the male and either the vagina or the urethra in the female. The
bacteria may also be disseminated through the blood to more-distant sites;
systemic manifestations include headache and, if untreated, arthritis or heart
disease.

Tuberculosis
Primary tuberculosis of the reproductive system is rare and is usually brought
from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream. Nodular or pustular lesions on
the penis or scrotum of men or the vulva of women, resembling the gumma (nodules)
of tertiary syphilis, may appear one week after tubercular infection. The nodules can
become ulcerated, resembling the primary chancre of syphilis. Tubercular abscesses
can also develop in most of the internal reproductive organs. Treatment consists of
administration of antibiotics. As the incidence of tuberculosis has declined in the
developed countries, tuberculosis of the reproductive system has become
exceedingly rare.

Inflammatory conditions
Balanitis, or inflammation of the glans penis, and posthitis, or infection of the
foreskin, result from the retention of secretions and bacteria beneath the foreskin and
can be prevented with proper hygiene. Balanitis can also develop as a complication
of certain sexually transmitted diseases. Acute prostatitis, inflammation of the
prostate gland, may be caused by any of a variety of microorganisms, including those
which cause sexually transmitted diseases; chronic prostatitis, the most common
reproductive system infection in men older than 50, often follows the acute infection.
Epididymitis, inflammation of the epididymis (a duct of the sperm canal), can result in
sterility. All of these are nonspecific infections that must be treated with antibiotics
appropriate for the causative organisms.

In women, other infections of the reproductive system include bartholinitis, an

inflammation of the vulvovaginal (Bartholin) duct near the opening of the vagina, and
vaginitis, generalized inflammation of the vagina caused by various yeasts, bacteria,
or other irritants. Bacterial vaginosis, a type of bacterial infection, occurs as a result
of changes in the balance of bacteria in the vagina. The most common symptoms of
such ailments are vaginal discomfort, vaginal discharge, and itching and pain during
urination or intercourse. Again, treatment of these conditions depends largely on the
causative organism.

In the female: endometriosis

Endometriosis, a disease occurring only during a woman’s menstrual life, is the
growth of endometrial tissue in an abnormal location. This may occur in the uterus or
elsewhere. The most common location of the implants of endometrial tissue are the
ovaries; other areas and organs affected are the uterus, the ligaments supporting the
pelvic organs, the rectovaginal septum (the membrane dividing the rectum from the
vagina), the sigmoid colon (that portion of the large intestine that leads into the
rectum), the lower genital tract, and the peritoneum (membrane) lining the pelvis. The
condition may cause infertility. Treatment is with pain medications, hormone therapy,
surgery, or a combination of these approaches.

In the male: benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, an overgrowth of normal glandular and muscular
elements of the prostate gland, arises in the immediate vicinity of the urethra and is
the most frequent cause of urinary obstruction. The enlarged prostate usually causes
symptoms after the age of 40. If undetected, the obstruction may cause bladder and
kidney damage. The diagnosis is made by rectal examination or ultrasound,
intravenous pyelogram (an X-ray of the urinary tract), and cystoscopy (direct viewing
of the bladder and urethra). Treatment is by surgical removal of the excess tissue.
The prognosis is good if detection is early and treatment occurs before the kidneys
are damaged.