Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University

Santosh, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

Department of pharmacy
ASSIGNMENt No - 01
Course code: PHAR-2105
Course title: Physiology and Anatomy II
Assignment Name: Reproductive system.

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Israt Jahan Ira
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy
Mawlana Bhashani Science
and Technology University
Submit Date: 23/08/2020
Sabbir Ahmed
Department: Pharmacy
Student ID: PHA-19021
Session: 2018-19
Year: 2nd Semester: 1st

Date of Submission: 20/06/2021

 DEFINITION OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The system of organs and parts which function in reproduction consisting in the
male especially of the testes, penis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and urethra and
in the female especially of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The purpose of the organs of the male reproductive system is to perform the
following functions:

• To produce, maintain, and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and
protective fluid (semen)
• To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex
• To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the
male reproductive system

Unlike the female reproductive system, most of the male reproductive system is
located outside of the body. These external structures include the penis, scrotum,
and testicles. The organs are:-
• Penis:
This is the male organ used in sexual intercourse. It has three parts: the root,
which attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the body, or shaft; and the glans,
which is the cone-shaped part at the end of the penis. The glans, also called the
head of the penis, is covered with a loose layer of skin called foreskin. This skin is
sometimes removed in a procedure called circumcision. The opening of the
urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine, is at the tip of the penis.
When the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing
only semen to be ejaculated at orgasm.
• Scrotum:
This is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind and below the penis. It
contains the testicles (also called testes), as well as many nerves and blood
vessels. The scrotum acts as a "climate control system" for the testes. Special
muscles in the wall of the scrotum allow it to contract and relax, moving the
testicles closer to the body for warmth or farther away from the body to cool the
temperature.
• Testicles (testes):

These are oval organs about the size of large olives that lie in the scrotum,
secured at either end by a structure called the spermatic cord. Most men have
two testes. The testes are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male
sex hormone, and for generating sperm

• Epididymis:

The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle. It
transports and stores sperm cells that are produced in the testes. It also is the job
of the epididymis to bring the sperm to maturity, since the sperm that emerge
from the testes are immature and incapable of fertilization. During sexual
arousal, contractions force the sperm into the vas deferens.
• Vas deferens:
The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into
the pelvic cavity, to just behind the bladder. The vas deferens transports mature
sperm to the urethra, the tube that carries urine or sperm to outside of the body,
in preparation for ejaculation.
• Ejaculatory ducts:
These are formed by the fusion of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles (see
below). The ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra.
• Urethra:
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body.
In males, it has the additional function of ejaculating semen when the man
reaches orgasm. When the penis is erect during sex, the flow of urine is blocked
from the urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated at orgasm.
• Seminal vesicles:
The seminal vesicles are sac-like pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the
base of the bladder. The seminal vesicles produce a sugar-rich fluid (fructose) that
provides sperm with a source of energy to help them move. The fluid of the
seminal vesicles makes up most of the volume of a man's ejaculatory fluid, or
ejaculate.
 • Prostate gland:
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure that is located below the urinary
bladder in front of the rectum. The prostate gland contributes additional fluid to
the ejaculate. Prostate fluids also help to nourish the sperm. The urethra, which
carries the ejaculate to be expelled during orgasm, runs through the center of the
prostate gland.

• Bulbourethral glands:

Also called Cowper's glands, these are pea-sized structures located on the sides of
the urethra just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery
fluid that empties directly into the urethra. This fluid serves to lubricate the
urethra and to neutralize any acidity that may be present due to residual drops of
urine in the urethra.

Male reproductive system function and male sex hormone:

The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones, which are

chemicals that regulate the activity of many different types of cells or organs. The
primary hormones involved in the male reproductive system are follicle-
stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone.
Follicle-stimulating hormone is necessary for sperm production
(spermatogenesis), and luteinizing hormone stimulates the production of
testosterone, which is also needed to make sperm. Testosterone is responsible for
the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat
distribution, bone mass, facial hair growth, voice change, and sex drive.
• Testosterone:
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone and anabolic steroid in males. In
male humans, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male
reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as
promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as
increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair.
Formation of spermatozoa:
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid spermatozoa develop from germ
cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. This process starts with the mitotic
division of the stem cells located close to the basement membrane of the tubules.
These cells are called spermatogonial stem cells. The mitotic division of these
produces two types of cells.

The primary spermatocyte divides meiotically (Meiosis I) into two secondary

spermatocytes; each secondary spermatocyte divides into two equal
haploid spermatids by Meiosis II. The spermatids are transformed into
spermatozoa (sperm) by the process of spermiogenesis
Male reproductive system disease:
Some reproductive system disease are given below-
• Infertility – A problem with getting an erection.
• Impotence – Inability to achieve a pregnancy due to low sperm production.
• Prostate disease – Begins prostate enlargement and cancer.
• Sexually Transmissible Infections – Bacterial or viral infections.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system functions to produce gametes and reproductive

hormones, just like the male reproductive system; however, it also has the
additional task of supporting the developing fetus and delivering it to the outside
world. Unlike its male counterpart, the female reproductive system is located
primarily inside the pelvic cavity.

External organs of the female reproductive system:

• Labia majora: The labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and protect the other
external reproductive organs. During puberty, hair growth occurs on the
skin of the labia majora, which also contain sweat and oil-secreting glands.
• Labia minora: The labia minora (“small lips”) can have a variety of sizes and
shapes. They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround the openings to
the vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of the uterus to the outside
of the body) and urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to
the outside of the body). This skin is very delicate and can become easily
irritated and swollen.
• Bartholin’s glands: These glands are located next to the vaginal opening on
each side and produce a fluid (mucus) secretion.
• Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive
protrusion that is comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris is covered
by a fold of skin, called the prepuce, which is similar to the foreskin at the
end of the penis. Like the penis, the clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation
and can become erect.
Internal organs of the female reproductive system:

• Vagina:

The vagina is 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—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.

Uterus (womb):

The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing

fetus. The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part
that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the corpus.
The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A canal through the
cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.

• Ovaries:

The ovaries are the female gonads. Paired ovals, they are each about 2 to 3 cm
in length, about the size of an almond. The ovaries are located within the
pelvic cavity, and are supported by the mesovarium, an extension of the
peritoneum that connects the ovaries to the broad ligament.

Fallopian tubes:

These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and
serve as pathways for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the
uterus. Fertilization of an egg by a sperm normally occurs in the fallopian
tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants to the
uterine lining.

Menstrual cycle:
The menstrual cycle or ovarian cycle is a set of predictable changes in a female’s
oocytes and ovarian follicles. During a woman’s reproductive years, it is a roughly
28-day cycle that can be correlated with, but is not the same as, the menstrual
cycle (discussed shortly).

The cycle includes two interrelated processes: oogenesis (the production of

female gametes) and folliculogenesis (the growth and development of ovarian
follicles).

Oogenesis:

Gametogenesis in females is called oogenesis. The process begins with the

ovarian stem cells, or oogonia. Oogonia are formed during fetal development, and
divide via mitosis, much like spermatogonia in the testis. Unlike spermatogonia,
however, oogonia form primary oocytes in the fetal ovary prior to birth. These
primary oocytes are then arrested in this stage of meiosis I, only to resume it
years later, beginning at puberty and continuing until the woman is near
menopause.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy also known as gestation, is the time during which one or
more offspring develops inside a woman. A multiple pregnancy involves more
than one offspring, such as with twins Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual
intercourse, but can occur through assisted reproductive
technology procedures. A pregnancy may end in a live birth, a
spontaneous miscarriage, an induced abortion, or a stillbirth. Childbirth typically
occurs around 40 weeks from the start of the last menstrual period (LMP). This is
just over nine months (gestational age)—where each month averages 31
days. When using fertilization age it is about 38 weeks. An embryo is the
developing offspring during the first eight weeks following fertilization, (ten
weeks' gestational age) after which, the term fetus is used until birth. Signs and
symptoms of early pregnancy may include missed periods, tender
breasts, morning sickness (nausea and vomiting), hunger, and frequent
urination. Pregnancy may be confirmed with a pregnancy test.

Female sex hormones:

The two main female sex hormones are estrogen and progesterone.
Although testosterone is considered a male hormone, females also produce and
need a small amount of this, too.
• Estrogen:

Estrogen is the major female hormone. The lion’s share comes from
the ovaries, but small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands and fat
cells. During pregnancy, the placenta also makes estrogen. Estrogen plays a big
role in reproductive and sexual development, including: puberty,menstruation,
pregnancy, menopause. Estrogen also affects the:

i. brain
ii. cardiovascular system
iii. hair
iv. skin
v. urinary tract

• Progesterone:

The ovaries produce the female sex hormone progesterone after ovulation.
During pregnancy, the placenta also produces some. The role of
progesterone is to:

i. prepare the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg

ii. support pregnancy
iii. suppress estrogen production after ovulation

• Testosterone

Small amounts of testosterone come from the adrenal glands and ovaries. This
hormone plays a role in several body functions, including:

i. sexual desire
ii. regulation of the menstrual cycle
iii. bone and muscle strength
Menses phase:

The menses phase of the menstrual cycle is the phase during which the lining is
shed; that is, the days that the woman menstruates. The menses phase occurs
during the early days of the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, when
progesterone, FSH, and LH levels are low. Recall that progesterone concentrations
decline as a result of the degradation of the corpus luteum, marking the end of
the luteal phase.

Female reproductive system disease:

Some reproductive system diseases are given below-
• Endometriosis – The presence and growth of functioning endometrial tissue
in place other than the uretus.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Fibroids – Non-maligant tumors of the womb
• Infertility – Inability to become pregnant
• Menopause – Cessation of menstrual cycles due to unresponsiveness of the
ovaries.
• Sexually Transmissible Infections