Spermatogonia – most peripheral germ cells
REPRODUCTIVE that divide through mitosis
SYSTEM
FUNCTIONS
1. Production of gametes.
2. Fertilization.
3. Development and nourishment of a
new individual.
4. Production of sex hormones.
FORMATION OF GAMETES
Gametes – sex cells
Meiosis – a type of cell division in which
formation of gametes occur
Synapsis – chromosomes align as pairs
Crossing over – allows exchange of genetic
material bet. chromosomes
Reduction division – 1st meiotic division;
from 16 to 23 chromosomes
2nd Meiotic division – similar to mitosis
MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM SCROTUM
 Saclike structure containing the testes
Dartos muscle – layer of SM beneath the skin
of the scrotum
Cremaster muscles – extensions of
abdominal muscles into the scrotum
TESTES
 Also called male gonads; oval organs
within the scrotum
Seminiferous tubules – where sperm cells
develop
Interstitial cells / Leydig cells – endocrine
cells that secrete testosterone
Sustentacular cells / Sertoli – are large and
nourish the germ cells; produce a number of
hormones
SPERMATOGENESIS
 Formation of sperm cells
Primary spermatocytes – other daughter cells
that divide by meiosis and become sperm cells
Secondary spermatocytes – product of first
meiotic division
Spermatids – product of secondary meiotic
division
Sperm cell / Spermatozoon – developed
spermatid with a head, midpiece, and
flagellum
DUCTS
Epididymis
 A tightly coiled series of threadlike
tubules that form a comma-shaped
structure
Rete testis – each seminiferous tubule empty
into in tubular networks
Efferent ductules – carry sperm cells from the
testis to the epididymis
Capacitation – final changes in sperm cells
that occur after ejaculation of semen into the
vagina and prior to fertilization
Ductus Deferens / Vas deferens
 Emerges from the epididymis and
ascends along the posterior side of the
testis
Spermatic cord – consists of the ductus
deferens, testicular artery and veins, lymphatic
vessels, and testicular nerve
Ampulla of the ductus deferens – ductus
deferens increases in diameter
Seminal Vesicle and Ejaculatory Duct
Seminal vesicle – sac-shaped gland
Ejaculatory duct – formed by the ducts from
the seminal vesicle and the ampulla of the
ductus deferens
Urethra
Prostatic urethra – passes through the
prostate gland
Membranous urethra – passes through the
floor of the pelvis; surrounded by the external
urinary sphincter
Spongy urethra – extends the length of the
penis and opens at its end
PENIS
 Male organs of copulation
 Functions in transfer of sperm cells from
the male to the female
Erection – process of the engorgement of the
erectile tissue with blood that causes the penis
to enlarge and become firm
Corpora cavernosa – two columns of erectile
tissue that form the dorsal portion
Corpus spongiosum – third, small erectile
column that occupies the ventral portion of the
penis
Glans penis – a formed cap
External urethra orifice – spongy urethra
that opens to the exterior
Prepuce / foreskin – lose fold of skin that
covers the glans penis
GLANDS
Prostate gland – consists of glandular _
muscular tissue & empties into the urethra
Bulbourethral glands / Cowper glands – a
pair of small, mucus-secreting glands that
empty into the urethra
SECRETIONS
Semen – mixture of sperm cells + gland
secretions
Prostate fluid – contains nutrients and
proteolytic enzymes; neutralizes the pH of the
vagina
Bulbourethral + urethral mucuous glands –
produce mucus that neutralizes the acidic pH
of the urethra
PHYSIOLOGY OF MALE
REPRODUCTION
Regulation of Sex Hormone Secretion
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) –
produced in hypothalamus; stimulates release
of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary
Luteinizing hormone (LH) – stimulates
interstitial cells to produce testosterone
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – binds
to sustentacular cells and stimulates
spermatogenesis and secretion of inhibin
Testosterone – has a negative-feedback effect
on GnRH, LH, and FSH
Inhibin – has a negative-feedback effect on
FSH secretion
Puberty in Males
 Before puberty; small amounts of
testosterone inhibit GnRH release.
 During puberty; testosterone does not
completely suppress GnRH release,
resulting in increased prod. of FSH,
LH, and testosterone.
Puberty – sequence of events by which a child
is transformed into a young adult
Effects of Testosterone
 Enlargement of the genitals; necessary
for spermatogenesis
 Responsible for the development of
secondary sexual characteristics (hair
distribution and growth, skin texture,
fat distribution, skeletal muscle growth,
changes in the larynx)
Male Sexual Behavior and the Male Sex
Act
Testosterone – required for normal sex drive
Emission – movement of sperm cells, mucus,
prostatic secretions, and seminal vesicle
secretions into the prostatic, membranous,
spongy urethra
Orgasm / climax – result of pleasurable,
intense sensation
Resolution – penis becomes flaccid; an overall
feeling of satisfaction exists
Erection – first major component of the male
sex act
Erectile dysfunction (ED) – impotence;
failure to achieve erections
Infertility in Males
 Common cause is a low sperm cell
count
Artificial insemination – concentrating the
sperm cells and inserting them into the
female’s reproductive tract
FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Broad ligament – spreads out on both sides of
the uterus and attaches to the ovaries and
uterine tubes
OVARIES
Suspensory ligament – extends from each
ovary to the lateral body wall
Ovarian ligament – attaches the ovary to the
superior margin of the uterus
Mesovarium – folds of peritoneum
OOGENESIS AND FERTILIZATION
Oogonia – the cells form which oocytes
develop
Primary oocyte – oogonia that has stopped I
prophase I
Ovulation – release of an oocyte from an
ovary
Secondary oocyte – released when the first
meiotic division is complete
Fertilization – when a sperm cell penetrates
the cytoplasm of a secondary oocyte
Zygote – 23 chromosomes from the sperm +
23 chromosomes from the female gamete
Follicle Development
Primordial follicle – primary oocyte
surrounded by granulosa cells (single layer of
flat cells)
Primary follicles – oocyte enlarges and the
single layer of granulosa cells become
enlarged and cuboidal
Zona pellucida – a layer of clear material that
is deposited around the primary oocyte
Secondary follicle – flui-filled vesicles appear
and a theca forms around the follicle
Fluid filled spaces - vesicles
Theca – a capsule that forms around the
follicle
Antrum – a single, fluid-filled chamber
Graafian follicle – mature follicle
Cumulus cells – mass of granulosa cells
Corpus luteum – remaining cells of the
ruptured follicle are transformed into a
glandular structure
Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone
(hCG) – the corpus luteum enlarges in
response to this hormone
UTERINE TUBES
 Fallopian tube or oviduct
 Receive the secondary oocyte
Fimbriae – long, thin processes that surrounds
each the opening of each uterine tube
 Cilia on fimbriae – sweep the oocyte
into the uterine tube
Ampulla – where fertilization usually occurs
Implantation – process wherein the fertilized
oocyte embeds itself in the uterine wall
UTERUS
Fundus – superior to the entrance of the
uterine tubes
Body – main part of the uterus
Cervix – inferiorly, narrower part
Uterine cavity & cervical canal – spaces
formed by the uterus
Perimetrium – outer layer; serous layer of the
uterus formed from visceral peritoneum
Myometrium – middle layer; muscular layer
hat accounts for the bulk of the uterine wall
Endometrium – innermost layer; consists of
simple columnar epithelial cells with an
underlying CT layer
Spiral glands – simple tubular glands formed
by folds of endometrium
Prolapsed uterus – occurs when the uterus
extends inferiorly into the vagina
VAGINA
 Female organs of copulation
 Allows menstrual flow and childbirth
Muscular layer – smooth muscle + elastic
fibers
Mucous membrane – moist stratified
squamous epithelium that forms a protective
surface
Hymen – thin mucous membrane
EXTERNAL GENITALIA
Vulva – pudendum; external female genitalia
Vestibule – the space into which the vagina
and urethra open
Labia minora – thing, longitudinal skin folds
Clitoris – small, erectile structure; well
supplied with sensory receptors, made up of
erectile tissue
Greater vestibular glands – produce a
lubricating fluid that helps maintain the
moistness of the vestibule
Labia majora – prominent, rounded folds of
skin
Mons pubis – an elevation of tissue over the
pubic symphisis
Pudendal cleft – space bet. the labia majora
Clinical perineum – region bet. the vagina
and the anus
Episiotomy – an incision made I the clinical
perineum to avoid tearing during childbirth
MAMMARY GLANDS
 Organs of milk production
 Located in the breasts
 Modified sweat glands
Areola – a circular, pigmented area that
surrounds the nipple
Gynecomastia – occurs when the breasts of a
male become permanently enlarged; results
from hormonal imbalance and the abuse of
anabolic steroids
Glandular lobes – covered by adipose tissue;
gives the breast its form
Lactiferous duct – opens independently to the
surface of the nipple
Myoepithelial cells – surround the alveoli and
contract to expel milk from the alveoli
PHYSIOLOGY OF FEMALE
REPRODUCTION
Puberty in Females
Menarche – first episode of the menstrual
bleeding
Menstrual cycle – series of changes that occur
in sexually mature, non-pregnant females, and
that culminate in menses
Menses – a period of mild hemorrhage; part of
the endometrium is sloughed and expelled
from the uterus; day 1 – 4: menstrual fluid is
produced by degeneration of the endometrium
Proliferative phase – day 5 – ovulation:
epithelial cells multiply and form glands
Secretory phase – day of ovulation – 28:
endometrium becomes thicker, endometrial
glands secete
Blastocyst – a collection of cells produced by
the zygote
Ectopic pregnancy – implantation occurs
anywhere other than in the uterine cavity

MENOPAUSE
 Cessation of menstrual cycles
(Female) Climacteric – the whole time period
from the onset of irregular cycles to their
complete cessation

FEMALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND

THE FEMALE
SEX ACT
Orgasm / climax – triggered by tactile
stimulation of the female’s genitalia during
intercourse or psychological stimuation
Resolution – the overall sense of satisfaction
and relaxation after the sex act

INFERTILITY IN FEMALES
 Caused by malfunction of uterine
tubes, reduced hormone secretion,
interruption of implantation