REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

- The human body is made up of different systems that coordinate with one another in
order to perform their functions well. If any part of these organ malfunctions, the body will
become unbalanced.
- The system involved in sexual reproduction is called the Reproductive System.

WHAT IS REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM?

- The reproductive systems in both the male and female consist of primary and secondary sex
organs and sex glands.

PURPOSE OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM?

- The main purpose of the reproductive system is to produce sex cells that will continue making
more of the same species – thus, reproducing the species and ensuring the continuation thereof.
- While reproduction is essential to keep the human race alive, it is not essential to keep an
individual alive.
- This means that you will not die if you do not produce offspring.

There is striking difference between the male and female reproductive system, although they
also share a number of similarities.

The reproductive organs of the male and female are developed from the same embryological
structure and some hormones are commonly found in both male and female, in varying
quantities and produce different responses.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PART FUNCTION

Testis Produces sperm cell

Scrotum Sac of skin that holds the testis

Penis Deposits sperm into the vagina during mating

Vas deferens (tube) Carries sperm from testes to urethra

Urethra Carries sperm and urine out of the body

Glands Provide liquid in which sperm can swim

a. Seminal vesicle - Secretes up a fluid that makes up most

of the components of the semen
b. Prostate gland - Secretes a slightly alkaline milky fluid
that is discharged as part of the semen
c. Bulbourethral gland - Secretes a clear and thick mucus that
lubricates and neutralize the any trace
of acidic urine in the urethra

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system has the following functions:

1. Produces female sex cells

2. Receives sperm cells from the male
3. Nurtures the development of/and provides nourishment for the new individual.

PART FUNCTION

Ovary Produces egg cell

Oviduct Serves as passageway of eggs from the ovary

to the uterus; site of fertilization

Uterus Serves as site of egg implantation; is where

the fertilized egg develops

Vagina Receives the penis of male during mating

The reproductive system is usually comprised of a male or female reproductive organs and
structures. The growth and activity of these parts are regulated by hormones. The reproductive
system is closely associated with other organ systems, particularly the endocrine system.

HORMONES are chemicals that are produced by endocrine glands in the body which circulate
in the bloodstream to carry messages or signals to different parts of the body. The name
hormone comes from the Greek word hormao meaning "I excite" and refers to the fact that each
hormone excites or stimulates a particular part of the body known as the target gland.

Reproductive hormones are usually made in the ovaries in females. The main reproductive
hormones are estrogen and progesterone. Although testosterone is considered a male
hormone, females also produce and need a small amount of this, too.

Reproductive hormones are usually made in the testes (testicles) in males. The main
reproductive hormone in males is testosterone.

The PITUITARY GLAND controls the functions of both the testes and the ovaries. Hormones
play an important role in both male and female reproductive system. These hormones keep the
reproductive system properly functioning.

The human male and female reproductive cycles are controlled by the interaction of hormones
from the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary with hormones from reproductive tissues and
organs. In both sexes, the hypothalamus monitors and causes the release of hormones from the
pituitary gland. When the reproductive hormone is required, the hypothalamus sends a
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the anterior pituitary. This causes the
release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the
anterior pituitary into the blood.

Note that the body must reach puberty for the adrenals to release the hormones that must be
present for GnRH to be produced. Although FSH and LH are named after their functions in
female reproduction, they are produced in both sexes and play important roles in controlling
reproduction. Other hormones have specific functions in the male and female reproductive
systems.

PUBERTY is the term used to describe the developmental changes a child undergoes to become
sexually mature and physiologically ready for reproduction.

It normally begins between the ages of 8 – 14 in females, and between the ages of 10 – 16 in
males.

Puberty begins when the hypothalamus starts to release gonadotropin-releasing

hormone (GnRH) and travels to the pituitary gland.

The male reproductive system also has prostate glands. The prostate gland is located just below
the bladder in men and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder
(urethra). The prostate's primary function is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports
sperm (seminal fluid).

Chemicals from these glands nourish the sperm cells and help them mature. The production of
sperm cells and the release of semen can be regulated by hormones or special chemicals that
come from the testis, the brain and the pituitary gland.

MALE HORMONES

At the onset of puberty, a large volume of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released

from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland (located in the brain).

In response, the anterior pituitary gland releases an increased follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH) and LH luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. FSH enters the testes,

stimulating the Sertoli cells, which help to nourish the sperm cells that the testes produce, to
begin facilitating spermatogenesis (production of sperm cells).

- A FEEDBACK MECHANISM is the process through which the level of one substance
influences the level of another substance.

- High levels of one hormone may inhibit the production of another hormone.

A negative feedback system occurs in the male with rising levels of testosterone acting on the
hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to inhibit the release of GnRH, FSH, and LH. The Sertoli
cells produce the hormone inhibin, which is released into the blood when the sperm count is too
high. This inhibits the release of GnRH and FSH, which will cause spermatogenesis to slow
down. If the sperm count reaches 20 million/ml, the Sertoli cells cease the release of inhibin,
and the sperm count increases.

THE HORMONES THAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL REGULATORS OF THE MALE

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)

- A hormone made by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Gonadotropin-releasing
hormone causes the pituitary gland in the brain to make and secrete the hormones luteinizing
hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones cause the testicles to
make testosterone.

2. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

- stimulates spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell development)

3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

- stimulates the production of testosterone
4. Testosterone
- stimulates the development of male secondary sex characteristics and spermatogenesis.

↳ Include: a deepening of the voice, the growth of facial, axillary, and pubic hair, and the
beginnings of the sex drive

IMPORTANT ROLE OF FEMALE SEX HORMONES

While other hormones prepare the uterus so a baby can grow in it, other hormones still control
the stretching of the uterus during pregnancy.

In females, FSH and LH cause estrogen to be produced. They regulate the female reproductive
system which is divided into the ovarian cycle and the menstrual cycle. Menopause occurs
when the ovaries lose their sensitivity to FSH and LH and the female reproductive cycles slow to
a stop.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland during the
first half of the menstrual cycle. It stimulates development of the maturing egg cell and controls
egg cell production.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. It
triggers ovulation (the release of a mature egg cell from the ovary), and it promotes the
development of the corpus luteum.

FEMALE HORMONES

The control of reproduction in females is more complex. As with the male, the anterior pituitary
hormones cause the release of the hormones FSH and LH. In addition, estrogens and
progesterone are released from the developing follicles.

Estrogen – is the reproductive hormone in females that assists in endometrial regrowth,

ovulation, and calcium absorption; it is also responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics
of females.

↳ These include: breast development, flaring of the hips, and a shorter period necessary
for bone maturation.

Progesterone – another female reproductive hormone is produced by the corpus luteum in the
ovary; its function is to prepare the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for the reception and
development of the fertilized egg cell. It assists inhibition of FSH and LH release.

In females, FSH stimulates development of egg cells, called ova, which develop in structures
called follicles. Follicle cells produce the hormone inhibin, which inhibits FSH production.
LH also plays a role in the development of ova, induction of ovulation, and stimulation of
estradiol and progesterone production by the ovaries. Estradiol and progesterone are steroid
hormones that prepare the body for pregnancy. Estradiol produces secondary sex characteristics
in females, while both estradiol and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle.

THE OVARIAN CYCLE AND MENSTRUAL CYCLE

OVARIAN CYCLE - governs the preparation of endocrine tissues and release of eggs.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE - governs the preparation and maintenance of the uterine lining. These
cycles occur concurrently and are coordinated over a 22–32-day cycle, with an average length
of 28 days.

IMPORTANT EVENTS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

1. The pituitary gland controls and starts the cycle.

2. The pituitary gland releases hormones that cause the egg in the ovary to mature. The
luteinizing hormone (LH) initiates the maturation of the follicles, converts ruptured follicles into
corpus luteum and causes the secretion of progesterone. The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
assists in the maturation of the follicles and causes the secretion of estrogen from the follicles.

3. Meanwhile, the ovary itself releases a hormone called estrogen, which causes the uterine
lining to increase in thickness. The uterine lining becomes thicker so that the fertilized egg can
attach to it.

4. The ovary releases an egg on day 14. Assume that no sperm is present.

5. The egg moves through the oviduct and enters the uterus.

6. Meanwhile the uterine lining continues to thicken.

7. The egg has not been fertilized, therefore, it will not attach to the uterus.

8. The thick uterine lining is no longer necessary, so the cells of the thickened uterine lining
break off and leave the vagina. The unfertilized egg is lost, and some blood is lost too. This loss
of cells from the uterine lining, blood, and egg is called menstruation.

9. After menstruation, the cycle starts again

MENOPAUSE
As women approach their mid-40s to mid-50s, their ovaries begin to lose their sensitivity to
FSH and LH. Menstrual periods become less frequent and finally cease; this is menopause.
There are still eggs and potential follicles on the ovaries, but without the stimulation of FSH and
LH, they will not produce a viable egg to be released. The outcome of this is the inability to have
children.
 SUMMARY

→ The male and female reproductive cycles are controlled by hormones released from the
hypothalamus and anterior pituitary as well as hormones from reproductive tissues and
organs.

→ The hypothalamus monitors the need for the FSH, and LH hormones made and released
from the anterior pituitary.

→ FSH and LH affect reproductive structures to cause the formation of sperm and the
preparation of eggs for release and possible fertilization.

→ In the male, FSH and LH stimulate Sertoli cells and interstitial cells of Leydig in the
testes to facilitate sperm production.

→ The Leydig cells produce testosterone, which also is responsible for the secondary sexual
characteristics of males.

→ In females, FSH and LH cause estrogen and progesterone to be produced. They regulate
the female reproductive system which is divided into the ovarian cycle and the menstrual
cycle.

→ Menopause occurs when the ovaries lose their sensitivity to FSH, and LH and the female
reproductive cycles slow to a stop.

GLOSSARY

Estrogen - reproductive hormone in females that assists in endometrial regrowth, ovulation,

and calcium absorption

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - reproductive hormone that causes sperm production
in men and follicle development in women

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) - hormone from the hypothalamus that causes

the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary

Inhibin - hormone made by Sertoli cells; provides negative feedback to hypothalamus in

control of FSH and GnRH release

Interstitial - cell of Leydig cell in seminiferous tubules that makes testosterone

Luteinizing hormone (LH) - reproductive hormone in both men and women, causes
testosterone production in men and ovulation and lactation in women

Menopause - loss of reproductive capacity in women due to decreased sensitivity of the ovaries
to FSH and LH

Menstrual cycle - cycle of the degradation and re-growth of the endometrium

Ovarian cycle - cycle of preparation of egg for ovulation and the conversion of the follicle to
the corpus luteum

Ovulation - release of the egg by the most mature follicle

Progesterone - reproductive hormone in women; assists in endometrial re-growth and

inhibition of FSH and LH release

Sertoli cell - cell in seminiferous tubules that assists developing sperm and makes inhibin

Testosterone - reproductive hormone in men that assists in sperm production and promoting
secondary sexual characteristics