Dr. Ronnie V.

Mayo

Reproductive System
Gonads – primary sex organs
• Testes in males
• Ovaries in females
Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and secrete
hormones
• Sperm – male gametes
• Ova (eggs) – female gametes

Male Reproductive System

1. Testes Testes
2. Duct System
• Coverings of the tstes
a. Epididymis
o Tunica vaginalis – outer two-layered
b. Ductus deferens
covering, derived from outpocketing of
c. Urethra
peritoneum
o Tunica albuginea – fibrous capsule of
the testis
o Septa – extensions of the tunica
albuginea that extend into the testis and
divide it into lobules.
• Each lobule contains one to four semineferous
tubules
- Tightly coilled structures
- Function as sperm-forming factories
- Empty sperm into the rete testis
• Sperm travels through the straight tubule then
rete testis to the epididymis
1. Accessory Glands • Interstitial cells (Leydig cells) produce
a. Seminal Vesicle androgens such as testosterone
b. Prostate Gland
c. Bulbourethral Gland
2. External Genitalia
a. Penis
b. Scrotum
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo

Epididymis 1. Prostatic urethra – surrounded by prostate
• Carries sperm from the epididymis to the 2. Membranous urethra – from prostatic
ejaculatory duct urethra to penis
• Passess through the inguinal canal and over the 3. Spongy (penile) urethra – runs the length of
bladder the penis
• Move sperm by peristalsis
• Sperm cord
1. Ductus deferens
2. Blood vessels
3. Nerves in a connective tissue
Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)
• Ends in the ejaculatory dyct which unites with the
urethra
• Vasectomy – cutting of the ductus deferens at
the level of the testes to prevent transportation of
sperm

Seminal Vesicles
• Located at the base of the bladder
• Produces a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of
semen)
- Fructose (sugar)
- Vitamin C
- Prostaglandins
- Other substances that nourish and activate
sperm

Urethra
• Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to
the tip of the penis
• Carries both urine and sperm
• Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
• Regions of the Urethra
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo

Prostate Gland
• Encircles the upper part of the urethra Semen
• Secretes a milky fluid • Mixtures of sperm and accessory gland
- Help activate sperm secretions
- Enters the urethra through the several small • Advantages of accessory gland secretions
ducts 1. Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
2. Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic
environment of vagina
3. Semem inhibits bacterial multiplication
4. Elements of semen enhance sperm motility
External Genitalia
1. Scrotum
• Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen
• Maintains testes at 3C lower than normal body
temperature to protect sperm viability

,Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper’s gland)

• Pea-sized gland inferior to the prostate
• Produces a thick, clear mucus
- Cleanses the urethra of acidic urine
- Serves as a lubricant during sexual
intercourse
- Secreted into the penile urethra 2. Penis
§ Delivers sperm into the female
reproductive tract
§ Regions of the penis
1. Shaft
2. Glans penis (enlarged tip)
3. Prepuce (foreskin)
§ Folded cuff of skin around proximal
end
§ Often removed by circumcision
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo
• Internally there are three areas of spongy erectile
tissue around the urethra.
1. Two corpora cavernosa:
§ Causes penile erection
2. One corpora spongiosa
§ Production of sperm cells
§ Begins at puberty and continues
throughout life
§ Occurs in the seminiferous tubules
Testosterone Production
• The most important hormone of the testes
• Produced in interstitial cells (Leydig cells)
• Functions of testosterone
1. Stimulates reproductive organ development
2. Underline sex drive
3. Causes secondary sex characters
a. Deepening of voive
b. Increased hair growth
c. Enlargement of skeletal muscles
d. Thickening of bones
Regulation of Male Androgens (Sex Hormones)

Female Reproductive System

• Internal genitalia
§ Ovaries
§ Duct system
v Uterine tubes ( fallopian tubes)
v Uterus
v Vagina

Anatomy of a Mature Sperm Cell

• The only human flagellated cell
• DNA is found in the head

Ovaries
• A paired gland resembles almond nut
• Produces gamete; 2 oocytes, which would
develop into mature eggs
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo

• Produces hormones:
§ Progesterone
§ Estrogens
§ Inhibin
§ Relaxin

Ovarian Follicle Stages

Support for Ovaries
• Suspensory ligaments – secure ovary to lateral
walls of the pelvis
• Ovarian ligaments – attach to uterus
• Broad ligament – a fold of the peritoneum,
encloses suspensory ligament
• Primary follicle – contains an immature oocyte
• Graafian (vesicular) follicle – growing follicle
with a maturing oocyte
• Ovulation – when the egg is mature the follicle
ruptures
§ Occurs about every 28 days
• The rupture follicle is transformed into a corpus
luteum
Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
• Receive the ovulated oocyte
• Provide a site for fertilization
• Attaches to the uterus
• Does not physically attach to the ovary
• Supported by the broad ligament
Uterine Tube Function
• Fimbriae – finger like projections at the distal end
that receive the oocyte
• Cilia – inside the uterine tube slowly move the
oocyte towards the uterus (takes 3-4 days)
• Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube
(ampulla)

Ovaries
• Composed of ovarian follicles ( sac-like
structures)
• Structure of an ovarian follicle
§ Oocyte
§ Follicular cells
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo

Uterus Vagina
• Located between the urinary bladder and rectum • Extends from cervix to exterior of body
• Hollow organ • Behind bladder and in front of rectum
• Functions of the uterus • Serves as birth canal
1. Receives a fertilized egg • Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
2. Retains the fertilized egg • Hymen – partially closes the vagina until it is
3. Nourishes the fertilized egg ruptured
Support for the Uterus
• Broad ligament – attached to the pelvis
• Round ligament – anchored interiorly and
attached to the labia majora
• Uterosacral ligaments – anchored posteriorly

External Genitalia (Vulva)

• Mons pubis
§ Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
Regions of the Uterus § Covered with pubic hair after puberty
• Body – main portion
• Fundus – area where uterine tube enters
• Cervix – narrow outlet that protrudes into the
vagina
Walls of the Uterus
1. Endometrium
• Inner layer
• Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg
• Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs
(menses)
2. Myometrium – middle layer of smooth muscle
• Serous layer – outer visceral peritoneum

• Labia – skin folds

1. Labia Majora
2. Labia Manora
• Vestibule
§ Encloses by labia majora
§ Contains opening of the urethra and the
greater vestibular glands ( produce
mucus)
• Clitoris
§ Contains erectile tissue
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo

§ Corresponds to the male penis

Oogenesis
• The total supply of eggs are present at birth
• Ability to releass eggs begins at puberty
• Reproductive ability ends at menopause
• Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian
follicles
• Oogonia – female stem cells found in a
developing fetus
• Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary
oocytes
• Primary oocytes are surrounded by cells that form
Menstrual (Uterine) Cycle
primarily folicles in the ovary
• Cyclic changes of the endometrium
• Oogonia no longer exist by the time of birth
• Regulated by cyclic production of estrogens and
• Primar oocytes are inactive until puberty
progesterone
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes
some primary follicles to mature • Stages of the menstrual cycle
1. Menses – functional layer of the
§ Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle
endometrium is sloughed
v Produces a secondary oocyte
2. Proliferative stage – regeneration of
and the first polar body
functional layer
§ Meiosis is completed after ovulatiom
3. Secretory stage – endometrium increases in
only if sperm penetrates
th size and readies for implantation
v Two additional polar bodies are
produced
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo

Mammary Glands
Hormone Production by the Ovaries • Present in both sexes, but only function in
females
• Modified sweat glands
• Function is to produce milk
• Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly estrogens)
to increase in size

• Estrogens
§ Produced by follicle cells
§ Cause secondary sex characteristics
1. Enlargement of accessory organs
2. Development of breasts
3. Appearnce of pubic hair
4. Increase in fat beneath the skin
5. Widening and lightening of the pelvis Anatomy of Mammary Glands
6. Onset of menses • Areola – central pigmented area
• Progesterone • Nipple – protruding central area of areola
§ Produced by the corpus luteum
• Lobes – internal structures that radiate around
§ Production continous until LH diminishes nipple
in the blood
• Alveolar glands – clusters of milk producing
§ Helps maintain pregnancy
glands within lobules
• Lactiferous ducts – connect alveolar glands to
nipple
 Dr. Ronnie V. Mayo