Compiled by:

MARLYN ROSE M. SACDALAN

MODULE 1

UNIT TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN REPRODUCTION

TITLE OF THE LESSON: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN REPRODUCTION

DURATION: 3 HOURS

INTRODUCTION:
We have gone a long way since the earlier times. Discoveries of different
scientific information had led to bigger innovations we have at present.
This unit part of the module will discuss the short history of human reproduction
through its myth and legends of the past, so we will gain insights on the developments
that paved to greater understanding of the human reproduction. In addition, the
importance of reproduction so we could appreciate its significance in the different
discoveries regarding reproduction.
Major fields will be identify such as Gross Anatomy, Morphology, Physiology,
Pathology, Sociology, and Genetics so we will have knowledge on each fields. Ethics
and some common legalities will also be discussed.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Give some insights on the history of human reproduction
2. Know some of the myths and legends regarding reproduction
3. Identify the significance of reproduction on oneself and in the community

CONTENTS
1. History of Human Reproduction
2. Myths and Legends of Human Reproduction
 LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION

PRE-TEST
From your view, described how human reproduction started. You may write it
in an essay or bulleted form. Write your answers on the provided sheet of paper on
the next page.
 Republic of the Philippines
Bulacan State University
City of Malolos, Bulacan

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

NAME: SCORE:

COURSE, YR. & SEC. GROUP:

INSTRUCTOR: MARLYN ROSE M. SACDALAN DATE:

Introduction to Human
Lesson

1 Reproduction
PRE-TEST. Write your answers here.
 LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN REPRODUCTION

Reproduction is a crucial process for the survival of the species. The functions
of the reproductive systems are to produce reproductive cells, the egg and the sperm
cells that is also called the gametes, and to prepare the gametes for fertilization. In
addition, the male reproductive system delivers the sperms to the female reproductive
tract. The female reproductive organs nourish the fertilized egg cell and provide an
environment for its development into an embryo, a fetus, and a baby.

Human reproduction takes place by the coordination of the male and female
reproductive systems. In humans, both males and females have evolved specialized
organs and tissues that produce haploid cells, the sperm and the egg. These cells
fuse to form a zygote that eventually develops into a growing fetus. A hormonal
network is secreted that controls both the male and female reproductive systems and
assists in the growth and development of the fetus and the birthing process.

Sex hormones are endocrine hormones that control the development of sex organs
before birth, sexual maturation at puberty, and reproduction once sexual maturation
has occurred. Other reproductive system organs have various functions, such as
maturing gametes, delivering gametes to the site of fertilization, and providing an
environment for the development and growth of an offspring.

HISTORY OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION

The discovery of reproduction amazed mankind, from its philosophical and
scientific point of views. An example of this was when Aristotle dedicated most of his
time to study the process of reproduction, and William Harvey (1578 – 1657)
performed trials on the King’s herd of deer and wrote the major treatise on the subject
of ‘De generetione animalium in 1651, that contains in the front piece of illustrations of
Jove releasing a plethora of creatures from an egg that’s inscribed the famous dictum:

Ex ovo omnia

They meaning of Harvey’s dictum was expressed poetically by is friend Martin Lluelyn:

That both the hen and wife are matched,

That her son born, is only her son hatch,

That when her teeming hopes have wealthy been,

Yet to conceive, is but to lay within.

Harvey’s work is often regarded by historians of science as defining the

boundary between the early era which relied heavily on folklore, superstition and
casual observation, and the recent period during which experimentation and more
exacting observations of nature became the modus operandi for many scientists and
natural philosophers. However, although it was obvious to most people that many
creatures were hatched from eggs and that the male was essential for sexual
reproduction, the discovery and experimental study of spermatozoa and mammalian
oocytes required a new scientific instrument, albeit initially a very crude one. One of
the first microscopists was Antonj van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) who, amongst his
many other discoveries, was the first to conduct rigorous observations on human
spermatozoa.

This is an extract from a letter written by Christiaan Huygens in 1678 and

published in Paris in the Journal des Savants (see Gasking, 1967). It was the first
published description of spermatozoa following van Leeuwenhoek’s original
observations of the microscopic tadpole-like creatures in human semen which were
known at the time as ‘animalcules’ or ‘spermatick worms’. Antonj van Leeuwenhoek
had previously conveyed his observations in a letter to the Royal Society in 1677,
which was eventually published in the Philosophical Transactions in 1679
(Leeuwenhoek, 1941). The Fellows were very interested in the ‘living creatures’ in
semen and consequently the Secretary wrote back to van Leeuwenhoek with a
request that he examine the semen of other species. There was a subsequent dispute
over priority with Nicolas Hartsoeker, who had also reported his observations on
rooster semen later in 1678, subsequently claiming that he had first discovered the
animalcules (see Gasking, 1967). There is strong circumstantial evidence, though,
that both Huygens and Hartsoeker had seen Leeuwenhoek’s letter prior to publishing
their own letters (Cole, 1930). However, it was Johan Ham, a medical student at
Leiden whose observations on spermatozoa apparently antedated those of both van
Leeuwenhoek and Hartsoeker, but although van Leeuwenhoek referred to Ham in his
letter to The Royal Society, the young student never published his own observations
(Figures 1 and 2).

The discovery of the vast numbers of motile creatures in semen stimulated a

lot of debate as to their origin and function because at the time it was far from obvious
that they might be the agents of conception. Many scientists were convinced that they
must be parasites; some speculated that they were essential for conception, whilst
others thought that they were a normal component of semen, but that they performed
a secondary role such as mixing the other seminal components. The arguments about
the role of spermatozoa may be somewhat astonishing when viewed retrospectively,
but it is important to remember that the discovery of the mammalian oocyte was not
reported until 1827 by Carl Ernst von Baer and that Edouard van Beneden first
observed fertilization in mammals in 1875. Consequently, many scientists up until
around 1850 continued to regard spermatozoa as parasites (the name spermatozoa
was first used by von Baer in 1827 and obviously reflects this view). Thus, in 1835 the
anatomist Richard Owen classified spermatozoa as parasites and relegated them to
the Entozoa (order Prothelmintha). Subsequently, the investigations of the Swiss
scientist, Albert von Kolliker (1841) were pivotal in demonstrating that spermatozoa
were not parasites, but motile autologous cells which developed from testicular cells
by the process of histogenesis. In his words, sperm were: organized parts of the
seminal fluid, elementary parts analogous to the blood corpuscles.

Even though the exact role of the spermatozoa in generation was a

controversial topic which was vigorously debated for many years, their discovery did
open a new front in the ongoing philosophical/scientific debate over preformation (the
doctrine that the complete, preformed embryo was present in the generative organs
of either the male or the female parent), which was often coupled with embodiment
(the doctrine that the complete miniature organism has always been encapsulated
within its own parent, analogous to the Russian Babushka dolls which are made
progressively smaller so they fit one inside the other). The ovists argued that the
preformed germ or embryo came from the female, whilst their protagonists asserted
that it came from the seminal contribution. On the basis of his recent discovery of
spermatozoa or animalcules as they were then known, in 1683 van Leeuwenhoek
proposed the animalculist version of the preformation theory which contended that the
spermatozoa contributed the essential germ to be nurtured by the female. Although
fascinating historically, particularly from a philosophical standpoint (see Wilson, 1995;
for in-depth discussion), from our current perspective, this was a pointless debate, so
we can shortly return to some of the crucial experimental work which ultimately
clarified the role of spermatozoa and oocytes in the process of generation or
fecundation. Before doing so, it is worth digressing to discuss the often quoted and
misquoted homunculus story.
 LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN REPRODUCTION

POST-TEST
Please fill out the table below by identifying the scientists on the first column
and their contributions to the second column. Write your answers on the provided
sheet of paper on the next page.

SCIENISTS CONTRIBUTIONS
 Republic of the Philippines
Bulacan State University
City of Malolos, Bulacan

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

NAME: SCORE:

COURSE, YR. & SEC. GROUP:

INSTRUCTOR: MARLYN ROSE M. SACDALAN DATE:

Introduction to Human
Lesson

1 Reproduction
POST-TEST. Write your answers here.
 LESSON 2
MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION

PRE-TEST
Write down at least five (5) myths or legends that you know regarding human
reproduction. Write your answers on the provided sheet of paper on the next page.
 Republic of the Philippines
Bulacan State University
City of Malolos, Bulacan

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

NAME: SCORE:

COURSE, YR. & SEC. GROUP:

INSTRUCTOR: MARLYN ROSE M. SACDALAN DATE:

Myths and Legends of

Lesson

2 Human Reproduction
PRE-TEST. Write your answers here.
 LESSON 2
MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION

1. Phases of the moon

• This is not an uncommon belief — some women even refer to menstruation
as their “moon time.” The confusion is understandable: The 29.5-day lunar
cycle (from new moon to new moon) is very close to the average 28-day
menstrual cycle. But studies show no connection between the moon and
menses. Moreover, it is hard to envision how a moon-menstruation
connection would be biologically beneficial to human reproduction.

2. Reproductive hormones need to be ‘in balance’

• This is a common modern myth in gynecology exam rooms all across North
America — and it results in a lot of unnecessary testing of hormone levels.
The truth is that, for women of reproductive age, the hormone levels for
FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone change not only day to day, but also
often hour to hour. When a woman has certain symptoms — for example,
an irregular menstrual cycle or infertility — hormone testing may be
recommended to make a diagnosis. But in these situations, doctors will look
at individual levels in conjunction with symptoms, rather than comparing
levels with some mythical “balance.” Being “in balance” may sound natural,
like a person who is “in tune” with her body. But it is simply not a factual
statement, or even a good analogy, for what happens biologically.

3. Lying prone after sex increases chances of becoming pregnant

• “How long should I lie flat after sex?” is one of the most common questions
asked of OB-GYNs. The myth is that sperm will rush back out of your body
once you’re standing up because of the effects of gravity. But most sperm
with any chance of fertilization have gone past the point of no return almost
immediately. There are no studies that establish a correlation between the
length of postcoital recumbent time and subsequent pregnancy rates — but
there is a large study that examined pregnancy rates after insemination in
a doctor’s office. That study concluded there was no difference in
pregnancy rates between people who spent 15 minutes lying flat versus
those who got up and moved around as soon as the procedure was
completed.

4. Women were never meant to go through menopause

• The myth is that menopause isn’t natural because for most of history
women did not live long enough to experience it — a misconception born
both of a mischaracterization of life expectancy and of the way that society
has historically tied a woman’s worth to her reproductive capacity. Although
it’s true that for centuries the average life expectancy for women was less
than 50 years, it’s not as if women were dying en masse at 50, having lived
long enough to satisfy evolution. In fact, if you exclude infant and childhood
mortality (which were largely due to a lack of basic medical care, sanitation
and immunizations), the life expectancy of women, even before 1900, rises
sharply. Women in the 17th century who survived the traditionally perilous
gantlet of childbirth had an average life expectancy of 60 years. For that
matter, the life expectancy for men was never much longer — yet for some
reason society has never needed an explanation for the age-related decline
in reproductive function in men.
5. The female orgasm can’t just be for pleasure – it must be related to improving
the chance of pregnancy
• The bulk of the evidence tells us that female orgasm does not affect
conception one way or the other. If it did, orgasms would most likely almost
always occur with penile penetration; but the reality is that they occur only
25 percent to 33 percent of the time. For orgasm to affect sperm transport
— and hence conception — it would also have to occur immediately before
or during the male orgasm, which, well, is uncommon. In reality, many
women achieve orgasm once or more before their male partner does — or
after, or not at all.

6. The human papillomavirus vaccine is associated with premature ovarian failure

• Myths and fears about vaccinations have been around almost as long as
vaccines have, and fertility-related myths are no exception. This myth was
propagated by six cases of premature ovarian failure that were described
in the HPV vaccine literature, in what is known as a case series. But this is
not proof — although it did prompt a number of provocative headlines that
gave birth to this myth. Fortunately, a much larger study, involving more
than 199,000 women, tells us that there is no association between HPV
vaccination and premature ovarian failure.

7. Men stay fertile forever

• It’s a common myth that all men can reproduce until their 80s. And it’s true
that we see some celebrities in their 50s, 60s and even their 70s
announcing their new fatherhood (almost always with a much younger
female partner). But both sexes experience an age-related decline in
fertility. For women, the decline begins in their 30s, and by their mid-40s,
pregnancies without reproductive assistance are rare. For the aging male,
erectile dysfunction increases with age, and the quality of seminal fluid and
sperm also declines. Men over 51 (notably, this is also the average age of
menopause for women) experience a significant decrease in success with
infertility therapies. It is true that men don’t experience the same absolute
reproductive cutoff that women do, but every discussion about age and
fertility should also include men.

8. Contraceptives are abortifacients and the RH Law promotes abortion

• “Contraceptives—such as pills, condoms, and intrauterine devices—
prevent pregnancy,” explained Dr. Marnie Zamora-Castro, Obstetrician-
Gynecologist. “They work before pregnancy begins and do not cause
abortion. Pregnancy begins when the fertilized egg implants in the lining of
a woman’s uterus. Contraceptives work by inhibiting ovulation, fertilization,
or implantation, and will not work if a woman is already pregnant. They do
not disrupt an existing pregnancy.

9. Contraceptives are cancerous and hazardous to a woman’s health

• Fact: Contraceptives are not cancerous. According WebMD, doctors at the
Cancer Research Epidemiology Unit in Oxford University found that oral
contraceptive pills (OCP) actually cut women’s risk of ovarian cancer—29%
decrease for each five-year interval of oral contraceptive use. The longer a
woman uses the pill, the lower her risk of ovarian cancer.

10. Reproductive health issues are only for women.

• Fact: “This isn’t just a woman’s issue, as it has been historically framed;
this is an issue that affects people of all genders,” social issue journalist
S.E. Smith wrote in Bustle. Men are equality affected by reproductive health
 issues such as conception, infertility, family planning, and sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). They need to share the responsibility with
their partners.

11. You can’t pregnant the first time you have sex or while on your period
• Fact: “It may seem like the odds are in your favor, but there’s no reason to
risk it,” according to ABC News’ Health section. As long as you are fertile
and ovulating, you are just as likely to get pregnant the first time you have
sex as any other time you do the deed. Sperm can live inside you for up to
five days. You could have sex towards the end of your menstrual bleeding
and then actually conceive 4-5 days later if you ovulate early. The
probabilities of getting pregnant while on your period are low, but it is still
possible.
 LESSON 2
MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION

POST-TEST
Answer the following questions briefly. Write your answers on the provided
sheet of paper on the next page.

1. Among the discussed myth and legends of human reproduction, which of the
following do you think that we still practice today?

2. If none, can you give one myth or legends that are still practice up to the present
period.

3. Give at least 3 importance of human reproduction?

 Republic of the Philippines
Bulacan State University
City of Malolos, Bulacan

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

NAME: SCORE:

COURSE, YR. & SEC. GROUP:

INSTRUCTOR: MARLYN ROSE M. SACDALAN DATE:

Myths and Legends of

Lesson

2 Human Reproduction
POST-TEST. Write your answers here.