Human

reproductive
system

4
GAMETES

¡ Sexual reproduction involves two genetically distinct

parents, and each produces gametes.
¡ The gametes are produced by gonads.
¡ What are the gonads?

5
GONADS

¡ Testes, which produces

sperm.
¡ Ovaries, which produce
egg cells.

6
GAMETES

¡ Before sexual differentiation occurs, male and female

embryos have both gonad types
¡ Then, sexual differentiation occurs in the male fetus due
to gene expression of SRY on the Y chromosome

7
GAMETOGENESIS

¡ The development of sex cells or gametes is called

gametogenesis, which involves meiosis.
¡ In addition to meiosis, gametes must go through other changes to
function.
¡ Sperm cells must lose cytoplasm
¡ Eggs must maximize their amount of cytoplasm.
¡ The large cytoplasm stores in eggs allow for the early
development of the embryo.
8
MALE AND FEMALE GAMETES

¡ Men produce sperm beginning at puberty and continuing

throughout life.
¡ Numbers and quality of sperm decrease with age.
¡ Women produce gametes only a few days a month
beginning at puberty and ending at menopause.
9
MALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM

10
FUNCTION OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The primary functions of the male reproductive system

are:
1. The production of male sex hormones,
2. The formation of sperm,
3. The placement of sperm in the female reproductive
tract, where one sperm can unite with a female sex cell.
11
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

The organs of the male reproductive system include:

(1) Paired testes, which produce sperm and male sex
hormones;
(2) Accessory ducts that store and transport sperm;
(3) Accessory glands, whose secretions form part of the
semen; and
(4) External genitalia, including the scrotum and penis.
12
 TESTES

¡ The paired testes are the male gonads, or sex glands. Each testis is
protected and supported by a capsule of dense irregular connective
tissue.
¡ Septa of connective tissue radiate into the testis from its posterior
surface, dividing the testis into internal subdivisions called lobules.
¡ Each lobule contains several highly coiled seminiferous tubules.
13
14
TESTES

Loc .

¡ Seminiferous tubules are lined with spermatogenic epithelium, which

is formed of spermatogenic cells and supporting cells.
¡ Spermatogenic cells divide to produce sperm, while supporting cells
support and nourish the spermatogenic cells and help regulate sperm
formation.
¡ The cells that fill the spaces between the seminiferous tubules are known
as interstitial cells, and they produce male sex hormones.
15
 F-
pen
-

Enz

Neck

16
 SPERMATOGENESIS

¡ Spermatogenesis the process that produces sperm by the

✗
division of the spermatogenic cells in the spermatogenic epithelium.Ioc
¡ Spermatogenesis begins at puberty, the age at which reproductive
organs mature, and continues throughout the life of a male.
3 ¡ Sexual maturity and sperm production are controlled by follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the
anterior lobe of the pituitary and by testosterone from interstitial
cells of the testes.
17
SPERM

¡ A mature sperm consists of a head, neck, and flagellum.

¡ The flattened head is composed of a compact nucleus
containing 23 chromosomes.
¡ The anterior portion of the head is covered by a caplike
structure, the acrosome.
¡ The acrosome contains enzymes that help the sperm
penetrate a female sex cell. 18
.PÑ

piece Mito ohond

middle .

Movement ATP .

19
SPERM

¡ The neck connects the head to the flagellum.

¡ The flagellum has a middle piece, a principal piece, and an
end piece.
¡ The middle piece contains mitochondria, where ATP is
formed to power the movements of the flagellum, which
enables movement.
20
ACCESSORY DUCTS
¡ Sperm pass through a series of accessory ducts as they are carried
from the testes to the external environment. These accessory ducts
include:
1. epididymis,
2. vas deferens,
3. ejaculatory duct,
4. and urethra.
These structures are collectively referred to as the male
reproductive tract. 21
M.rep. Tract = m. Accessory duct

60%semen
Ejaculatory duct

0 ⑤ear 30%
22
EPIDIDYMIS

¡ The seminiferous tubules of a testis lead to a number of small ducts that

open into the epididymis.
¡ The epididymis appears as a comma-shaped organ that lies along the
superior and posterior margins of a testis.
¡ Sperm mature as they are slowly moved (10–14 days) through the
epididymis by weak peristaltic contractions.
¡ The mature sperm are stored in the epididymis until they are ejaculated.
¡ The sperm stored for more than two months are destroyed and
absorbed by the epididymis. 23
VAS DEFERENS

¡ Vas deferens extends from the epididymis superiorly in the

scrotum, passes through the inguinal canal, and enters the
pelvic cavity.
¡ It runs along the lateral surface of the urinary bladder and
merges with the duct from a seminal vesicle inferior to the
urinary bladder.
¡ The duct formed by this merger is an ejaculatory duct.
¡ The vasa deferentia have rather thick, muscular walls that
move the sperm by peristalsis. 24
 thicker/muscular
thin

25
 EJACULATORY DUCT

¡ Each short ejaculatory duct is formed by the merger

of a vas deferens and a duct from a seminal vesicle.
¡ The ejaculatory ducts enter the prostate gland and
merge with the urethra within the prostate.
¡ During ejaculation, muscular contractions of the
ejaculatory ducts mix seminal vesicle secretions with
sperm and propel them into the urethra. 26
URETHRA

¡ The urethra is a thin-walled tube that extends from the urinary

bladder through the penis to the external environment.
¡ The urethra serves a dual role in the male.
¡ It transports urine from the urinary bladder during micturition,
and it also carries semen, which includes sperm, during
ejaculation.
¡ Control mechanisms prevent urine and semen passing at the
same time. 27
 Accessory
Glands

Bulbo-
Seminal Prostate
urethral
Vesicles Gland
Glands
28
 60% semen
60%

29
 SEMINAL VESICLES

¡ The seminal vesicles are paired glands located on the posterior surface
of the urinary bladder.
¡ The duct of each seminal vesicle merges with the vas deferens on the
"
same side to form an ejaculatory duct near the posterior surface on the
prostate gland.
¡ The alkaline secretions of the seminal vesicles help to keep semen
alkaline and containprovides
fructose and
the nutrient energy
prostaglandins. stimulate reverse peristalsis of the uterus and uterine
tubes, which accelerates the movement of sperm
for sperm, through the female reproductive tract.
¡ Secretions by the seminal vesicles compose about 60% of semen. 30
31
 PROSTATE GLAND

¡ The prostate gland is a pear-shaped gland that encircles the urethra

where it exits the urinary bladder.
¡ The ejaculatory ducts pass through the posterior portion of the
r
prostate to join with the urethra within the prostate.
¡ Prostatic fluid is forced through 20 to 30 tiny ducts into the urethra
during ejaculation.
¡ The secretion is an alkaline, milky fluid containing substances that
activate the swimming movements of sperm.
¡ It forms about 30% of semen. 32
Bulbo-urethral gland function? 33
BULBO-URETHRAL GLANDS

¡ The bulbo-urethral glands are two small, spherical glands

that are located inferior to the prostate gland near the base
of the penis.
¡ These glands secrete an alkaline, mucuslike fluid into the
urethra in response to sexual stimulation.
¡ This secretion neutralizes the acidity of the urethra and
lubricates the end of the penis in preparation for sexual
intercourse.
34
SEMEN

¡ The semen is the fluid passed from the urethra during

ejaculation.
¡ It consists of the fluids secreted by the bulbo-urethral glands,
seminal vesicles, and prostate gland along with sperm and fluid
from the testes.
¡ The alkalinity (pH 7.5) of semen protects the sperm by
neutralizing the acidity of the male’s urethra and the female’s
vagina. 35
SEMEN

¡ Fructose from seminal vesicles provides the nutrient energy for sperm, and
prostatic fluid activates their swimming movements.
¡ After semen is deposited in the vagina during sexual intercourse,
prostaglandins in seminal vesicle secretions stimulate reverse peristalsis of
the uterus and uterine tubes, which accelerates the movement of sperm
through the female reproductive tract.
¡ The volume of semen in a single ejaculation may vary from 2 to 5 ml, with
50 to 150 million sperm per milliliter.
¡ Although only one sperm participates in fertilization, many sperm are
necessary for fertilization to occur.
36
WHAT IS MALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA?

37
MALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA

¡ Male external genitalia are the visible parts of the

male reproductive system, including the scrotum and
penis.

38
SCROTUM

¡ The scrotum is the external sac of skin and

subcutaneous tissue that contains the testes.
¡ A medial partition keeps each testis in a separate
chamber within the scrotum.
¡ Testes develop within the pelvic cavity but descend into
the scrotum through the inguinal canals near the end of
the seventh month of fetal development. 39
SCROTUM

¡ This migration occurs under the stimulation of

testosterone.
¡ The descent of the testes into the scrotum keeps their
temperature 2–3°F below average body temperature.
¡ This lower temperature is necessary for the production
of viable sperm.
40
SCROTUM

¡ The subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum contains a layer of

smooth muscle called the dartos.
¡ Its cells reflexively contract or relax to shorten or lengthen the
scrotum in response to temperature changes.
¡ In addition, there are two thin, ribbon-like skeletal muscles, named
cremaster, that are attached to the testes and respond similarly.
¡ Through the actions of these muscles, the testes are elevated
closer to the body in cold temperatures and depressed in warm
temperatures. 41
 PENIS

¡ The penis is the male copulatory organ that deposits semen

in the female vagina during sexual intercourse.
3 ¡ It contains specialized erectile tissues that enable it to
become enlarged and rigid during sexual excitement.
¡ Three columns of erectile tissue compose the body of the
penis.
¡ The corpora cavernosa are two columns located on the
superior side of an erect penis. 42
prepuce

43
PENIS

¡ The single corpus spongiosum, through which the urethra

extends, is located on the inferior side of an erect penis
¡ The corpus spongiosum expands at the tip to form the glans
penis, which contains numerous sensory receptors and the
external urethral orifice.
¡ A loose sheath of skin, the prepuce, extends distally to cover
the glans. 44
 MALE SEXUAL RESPONSE

✗¡ In the absence of sexual stimulation, the vascular

sinusoids in the erectile tissue of the penis contain a
small amount of blood and the penis is flaccid, or soft.
¡ Sexual stimulation initiates parasympathetic nerve
impulses that cause the dilation of the arterioles and
constriction of the venules supplying the erectile tissue.
45
 MALE SEXUAL RESPONSE
¡ These vascular changes cause the
erectile tissue to become engorged
with blood, which produces
erection, a condition in which the
penis swells, lengthens, and becomes
erect.
¡ The parasympathetic nerve impulses
also stimulate the secretion from the
bulbo-urethral glands. 46
ACTION OF TESTOSTERONE

¡ Male sex hormones are collectively called androgens, and

testosterone is the most important one.
¡ They are produced primarily by the testes.
¡ Testosterone secretion starts in fetal development, continues for
a brief time after birth, and then nearly ceases until puberty.
‫تتوقف‬
¡ At puberty, testosterone stimulates the maturation of the male
reproductive organs, the continuation of spermatogenesis, and the
development of the male secondary sex characteristics.
47
ACTION OF TESTOSTERONE

¡ Secondary sex characteristics are the physical features that distinguish

sexes from each other.
¡ Male secondary sex characteristics include:
1. growth of body hair, especially on the face, axillary, and pubic regions;
2. increased muscular development;
3. development of heavy bones, broad shoulders, and narrow pelvis; and
4. deepening of the voice due to enlargement of the larynx and thickening of
the vocal folds.
48
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

49
 The female reproductive system
produces female sex hormones and
female sex cells and transports the sex
cells to a site where they may unite with
FEMALE sperm.
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
In addition, the female reproductive
system provides a suitable environment
for the development of the embryo and
fetus and is actively involved in the birth
process.
50
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

¡ Paired ovaries, which produce female sex hormones and sex cells.
¡ Paired uterine tubes, which transport the female sex cells.
¡ Uterus, where internal development of the embryo and fetus occurs.
¡ Vagina, which serves as the female copulatory organ and birth canal.
¡ External genitalia .

51
52
OVARIES

¡ The ovaries are located in the superior, lateral portions of

the pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus.
¡ They are about the same size and shape as large almonds, and
they are supported by several ligaments.
¡ The external surface of an ovary is covered by the ovarian
mesothelium.
¡ Deep to the ovarian mesothelium is a more dense region,
which contains ovarian follicles of various sizes. 53
OOGENESIS

¡ Oogenesis is the process of producing ova.

¡ The process of oogenesis and the development of the
corresponding ovarian follicles.
¡ By the fifth month of fetal development of a human female,
the ovaries contain several million oogonia, the stem cells of
the ovaries.
¡ Gradually, most of the oogonia mature into primary
oocytes. 54
OOGENESIS

/
¡ When a female is born, the infant’s ovaries lack oogonia and contain about 2
million primary oocytes within primordial ovarian follicles.
G
¡ Primary oocytes contain 46 chromosomes, so they are capable of meiotic cell
division.
¡ Starting at puberty, a few primordial ovarian follicles are activated each month.
¡ The development of the oocyte and ovarian follicle takes nearly a year to
complete.
¡ However, only one of the primary oocytes will complete meiosis I each month.
55
UTERINE TUBES

¡ The paired uterine tubes receive and transport the secondary

oocyte, are the sites of fertilization, and transport the pre-
embryo if fertilization occurs.
¡ Each uterine tube extends laterally from the superior lateral
surface of the uterus to an ovary.
¡ The lateral end of each tube forms a funnel-shaped expansion,
the infundibulum, that partially envelops an ovary but is not
connected to it. 56
 Finger
fimbriae

funnel

57
UTERINE TUBE

¡ Each infundibulum is subdivided into a number of fingerlike

processes called fimbriae that may touch the ovary.
¡ The internal lining of a uterine tube consists of simple ciliated
columnar epithelium and secretory cells.
¡ The beating of the cilia creates a current that helps draw the
ovulated secondary oocyte into the infundibulum. Then, the
beating cilia and the peristaltic contractions of the uterine tube
move the oocyte slowly toward the uterus. 58
59
UTERUS

¡ The uterus is located in the pelvic cavity posterior to the urinary

bladder.
¡ The uterus has three major regions:
1. The fundus, the superior rounded region, joins with the uterine
tubes laterally.
2. The body, the middle portion, is enlarged and rounded.
3. The cervix, the inferior tubular portion, is inserted into the superior
end of the vagina. 60
 VAGINA

¡ The vagina is the

collapsible tube that
extends from the uterus to
the external environment.
¡ It serves as the female
copulatory organ and the
birth canal.
¡ The vagina is located
posterior to the urethra
and anterior to the rectum. 61
FEMALE SEXUAL RESPONSE

¡ In the absence of sexual stimulation, the erectile tissues of the bulbs of

the vestibule and the clitoris contain a small amount of blood.
¡ When a woman is sexually stimulated, the sympathetic nerve impulses
cause dilation of the arterioles and constriction of the venules supplying
the erectile tissues.
¡ These vascular changes cause the erectile tissues to become engorged
with blood and produce erection.
62
FEMALE SEXUAL RESPONSE

¡ Simultaneously, parasympathetic nerve impulses cause

enlargement of the vaginal mucosa and breasts and erection of
the nipples due to increased blood flow to these areas.
¡ Secretion of the vestibular glands is increased, lubricating the
vestibule and aiding entry of the penis.

63
FEMALE SEX HORMONES

¡ The ovaries produce the two major groups of female

sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone plus inhibin,
which aids estrogens in exerting an inhibitory effect on
the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland via a negative-
feedback mechanism.

64
65
FEMALE SEX HORMONES

¡ Estrogens stimulate the maturation of the female reproductive

organs and the development and maintenance of the female
secondary sex characteristics.
¡ The female secondary sex characteristics include development of
the mammary glands and breasts, a broad pelvis, increased
deposition of subcutaneous tissue, and increased blood supply to
the skin.
¡ The development of axillary and pubic hair is stimulated by the
small amount of androgens produced by the adrenal glands. 66
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

¡ The two female reproductive cycles are hormonally controlled and

occur simultaneously starting at puberty:
¡ The ovarian cycle involves the monthly formation and release of
a secondary oocyte and the ovarian events that take place in
preparation for pregnancy.
¡ The menstrual cycle involves repetitive changes in the
endometrium that lead to monthly menstruation if pregnancy does
not occur.
67
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

¡ The lengths of these cycles range from 24 to 35 days in

different women, but 28 days is about average.
¡ Except for periods of pregnancy and nursing, women
experience monthly reproductive cycles from puberty, at
about 11 years of age, until menopause.
68
OVARIAN CYCLE

¡ There are multiple stages of the ovarian cycle that occur to

prepare a female for a potential pregnancy.
¡ If the female does not become pregnant, the ovarian cycle will
repeat and this process continues throughout a female's
reproductive years.
69
OVARIAN CYCLE

The ovarian cycle phases include:

1.Follicular Phase "

2.Ovulation L

L 3.Luteal Phase 525

70
OVARIAN CYCLE

¡ Follicular Phase:
¡ Involves recruiting and prepping oocyte follicles for ovulation.
¡ This phase begins on the first day of menstruation and ends with the ovulation
of an egg.
¡ Levels of (LH) and (FSH) increase, causing follicles to develop on the ovary.
¡ The follicles produce estrogen and progesterone, which cause LH and FSH
levels to rise and fall rapidly, leading to ovulation.
¡ This phase lasts approximately 14 days. 71
OVARIAN CYCLE
¡ Ovulation:
¡ An increase in LH causes a mature follicle to rupture and release an
egg.
¡ It occurs once every 28 days, generally on day 14 of the ovarian
cycle.
¡ Ovulation does not occur while a female is pregnant due to
increased levels of progesterone that maintain the uterine wall and
prevent the release of additional eggs.
¡ A female is born with approximately 1 to 2 million eggs; however,
only about 500 eggs will be ovulated during her life span. 72
OVARIAN CYCLE

¡ Luteal Phase:
¡ Occurs after ovulation on day 15 until day 28 of the cycle.
¡ During this phase, the follicle that ruptured during ovulation
undergoes changes and produces a group of cells called a
corpus luteum.
¡ The cyst-like corpus luteum produces estrogen and
mm

progesterone,
mm which are important for reproduction. 73
OVARIAN CYCLE

¡ Luteal Phase:
¡ If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down,
and LH and FSH production begins to start the next menstrual
cycle.
¡ This cycle lasts approximately 14 days.

74
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

The menstrual cycle occurs monthly in females from puberty until

menopause and consists of three phases::

1.Menses phase
2.Follicular phase
3.Luteal phase

75
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

¡ Menses phase:
¡ Occurs on day 1 until day 5 of the menstrual cycle.
¡ The lining of the uterus is shed through the vagina if the female
doesn't become pregnant. ⇐
¡ A female is considered pregnant when a fertilized egg attaches
to the uterine wall.
76
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

¡ Follicular phase:
¡ Occurs on day 6 until day 14 of the menstrual cycle.
¡ Estrogen levels rise and the lining of the uterus grows thicker.
¡ Follicles in the ovaries begin to grow on days 10 through 14
of the cycle.
77
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

¡ Luteal phase:
¡ Occurs on day 15 until day 28 of the cycle.
¡ Progesterone levels rise to prepare for a potential pregnancy.
¡ If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop, and
menses begins.
78
OVARIAN & MENSTRUAL

¡ Similar to the ovarian cycle, the menstrual cycle lasts

approximately 28 days and is regulated by several
hormones.
¡ Due to the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
hormone, both the menstrual and ovarian cycle stop
during pregnancy.
79
OVARIAN VS. MENSTRUAL CYCLE

The difference in the ovarian cycle vs. menstrual cycle is:

1. The ovarian cycle occurs in the cortex of the ovary,
whereas the menstrual cycle occurs in the uterus.
2. The ovarian cycle prepares the egg for fertilization and
reproduction; the menstrual cycle prepares the uterine wall
to receive a fertilized egg.

80
81
MENOPAUSE
ñ
¡ The cessation of regular menstrual cycles, usually begins
around age 45–55 and can last up to ten years.
¡ The onset is usually gradual with menstrual cycles becoming
irregular.
¡ During this time, a woman can still conceive, so menopause is
not considered to be complete until the cycles have not
occurred for one year.
82
MENOPAUSE

¡ Aging of the ovaries is the cause of menopause.

¡ There are fewer primary ovarian follicles to respond to FSH
and LH from the anterior lobe of the pituitary, and ovulation
does not occur.
¡ Therefore, the secretion of estrogens and progesterone by the
ovaries is greatly curtailed
83
CRITICAL
THINKING

WHAT IS THE MOST

COMMON SYMPTOM
OF MENOPAUSE?

84
MENOPAUSE

¡ The decline in female sex hormones often is accompanied by

physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, and depression.
¡ Hot flashes, caused by sudden and temporary dilation of dermal
blood vessels, are perhaps the most common symptom.
¡ Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the administration of
estrogens and progesterone, was previously used to treat the
unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
¡ Its use has been greatly curtailed because studies have shown that it
increases the risk of breast cancer, strokes, and heart disease. 85
86
MAMMARY GLANDS

¡ The mammary glands of males and immature females are similar.

¡ At puberty, estrogens and progesterone stimulate the development of
female mammary glands.
¡ Estrogens start breast and mammary gland development, and
progesterone stimulates the maturation of the mammary glands so that
they are capable of secreting milk.
¡ Another hormone from the anterior lobe of the pituitary, prolactin, is
required for milk production. 87
MAMMARY GLANDS

¡ Mature mammary glands are female accessory reproductive structures

that are specialized for milk production.
¡ They are located in the subcutaneous tissue of female breasts.
¡ The breasts are formed superficial to the pectoralis major.
¡ Breasts contain large amounts of areolar and adipose tissues that
surround and cushion the mammary glands.
88
89
MAMMARY GLANDS

¡ Dense irregular connective tissue within the breasts is attached to the

dermis and to the fascia of the pectoralis major to provide support for
the breasts and mammary glands.
¡ Superficially, a circle of pigmented skin, the areola, is located near the
anterior portion of each breast.
¡ A nipple containing erectile tissue is located in the center of each areola.

90
CRITICAL THINKING

WHAT IS NIPPLE PRIAPISM IN FEMALES?????? 91

MAMMARY GLANDS

¡ Each mammary gland consists of 15 to 25 lobes containing alveolar

glands.
¡ Alveolar glands produce milk under stimulation by prolactin after the
birth of an infant.
¡ Milk is carried from the alveolar glands by lactiferous ducts, which open
into lactiferous sinuses that lead to the nipple and the external
environment
92