The Reproductive System

Reproductive System

 Primary sex organs (gonads) – testes in males,

ovaries in females
 Gonads produce sex cells called gametes and secrete
sex hormones
 Accessory reproductive organs – ducts, glands, and
external genitalia
 Sex hormones – androgens (males), and estrogens
and progesterone (females)
Reproductive System

 Sex hormones play roles in:

 The development and function of the reproductive
organs
 Sexual behavior and drives

 The growth and development of many other organs

and tissues
Female Reproductive Anatomy

 Ovaries are the primary female reproductive organs

 Make female gametes (ova)

 Secrete female sex hormones (estrogen and

progesterone)

 Accessory ducts include uterine tubes, uterus, and

vagina
 Internal genitalia – ovaries and the internal ducts

 External genitalia – external sex organs

Female Reproductive Anatomy

Figure 27.11
The Ovaries

Figure 27.14a
Ovary: produces eggs and
estrogen/progesterone

Figure 26-12d: ANATOMY SUMMARY: Female Reproduction

Ovaries

Figure 27.12
Ovary: up close
Ovarian Follicles

 Each follicle consists of an immature egg called an

oocyte
 Cells around the oocyte are called:
 Follicle cells (one cell layer thick)

 Granulosa cells (when more than one layer is

present)
Ovarian Follicles

 Primordial follicle – one layer of squamouslike

follicle cells surrounds the oocyte
 Primary follicle – two or more layers of cuboidal
granulosa cells enclose the oocyte
 Secondary follicle – has a fluid-filled space between
granulosa cells that coalesces to form a central
antrum
Ovarian Follicles

 Graafian follicle – secondary follicle at its most

mature stage that bulges from the surface of the
ovary
 Ovulation – ejection of the oocyte from the ripening
follicle
 Corpus luteum – ruptured follicle after ovulation
 Reproductive Cycle

• purpose is to produce gametes and prepare the

uterus for implantation
• menstrual vs estrous cycle
• on average 28 days in humans
• actually is two cycles
- ovarian cycle
- uterine cycle
Ovarian Cycle

 Monthly series of events associated with the

maturation of an egg
 Follicular phase – period of follicle growth (days 1–
14)
 Luteal phase – period of corpus luteum activity
(days 14–28)
 Ovulation occurs midcycle
 Ovarian Cycle

• follicular phase
- follicular growth of the ovaries
- lasts 10-14 days
• ovulation
- release of egg around day 14

• luteal phase
- transformation of follicle into the
corpus luteum
Ovarian Cycle

Figure 27.20
Menstrual Cycle: 1 month
Ovarian cycle; Uterine cycle

 Follicular phase
 Egg matures
 Ovulation
 Egg released
 Luteal phase
 Corpus luteum
 Endometrium
 Prep for blastocyst
 No Pregnancy
 Menses

Figure 26-13: The menstrual cycle

Follicular Phase

 The primordial follicle, directed by the oocyte,

becomes a primary follicle
 Primary follicle becomes a secondary follicle
 The theca folliculi and granulosa cells cooperate to
produce estrogens
 The zona pellucida forms around the oocyte

 The antrum is formed

Follicular Phase

 The secondary follicle becomes a vesicular follicle

 The antrum expands and isolates the oocyte and the
corona radiata
 The full size follicle (vesicular follicle) bulges from
the external surface of the ovary
 The primary oocyte completes meiosis I, and the
stage is set for ovulation
The Ovarian Cycle:
Early Follicular Phase; make ESTROGEN

ESTROGEN

LH

FSH
Early follicular phase; FSH stimulates follicles!

Negative feedback on
hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Stops FSH and LH secretions.
You don’t want to stimulate too
many follicles!

Figure 26-14a,b: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

 Late Follicular Phase

 Granulosa cells will now produce

 Inhibin

 Progesterone

 More estrogen

 LH surge!
 Meiosis completes the first meiotic division

 Egg (secondary oocyte)

 First polar body (degrades)

Late Follicular Phase

Estrogen + feedback on
granulosa cells.
You can make estrogen
without FSH from the
anterior pituitary!
Estrogen helps the
endometrium thicken.

Figure 26-14a,b: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

Ovulation

 Ovulation occurs when the ovary wall ruptures and

expels the secondary oocyte
 Mittelschmerz – a twinge of pain sometimes felt at
ovulation
 1-2% of ovulations release more than one secondary
oocyte, which if fertilized, results in fraternal twins
Ovulation

 16-24 hours after LH surge;

the mature follicle secretes
collagenase
 Egg breaks out of the follicle

 The egg “awaits” fertilization

in the fallopian tube.
 The follicle “leftovers”,
differentiate into the corpus
luteum.
Tanda-tanda ovulasi
Tanda-tanda ovulasi pada mukus serviks uteri
In Vitro Fertlization (IVF)
In Vitro Fertlization (IVF)
Luteal Phase

 After ovulation, the ruptured follicle collapses,

granulosa cells enlarge, and along with internal
thecal cells, form the corpus luteum
 The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and
estrogen
 If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum
degenerates in 10 days, leaving a scar (corpus
albicans)
 If pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum produces
hormones until the placenta takes over that role (at
about 3 months)
Early to Mid-Luteal Phase

 Corpus Luteum produces

 Progesterone (dominates)

 Estrogen somewhat increases

 Endometrium prepares for a fertilized egg (blastocyst)

 Lipid and glycogen stores

 Mucus

 increase in temperature
Figure 26-14c, d: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle
Late-Luteal Phase and Menstruation

 Corpus luteum: 12 day life span

 Apoptosis; programmed death

 Estrogen/progesterone levels fall

 Thickened endometrium cannot be maintained

 Menses occurs about 2 days after corpus luteum

degeneration.
Figure 26-14c, d: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle
Establishing the Ovarian Cycle

 During childhood, ovaries grow and secrete small

amounts of estrogens that inhibit the hypothalamic
release of GnRH
 As puberty nears, GnRH is released; FSH and LH
are released by the pituitary, which act on the
ovaries
 These events continue until an adult cyclic pattern is
achieved and menarche occurs
Hormonal Interactions During the Ovarian
Cycle
 Day 1 – GnRH stimulates the release of FSH and LH
 FSH and LH stimulate follicle growth and maturation, and
low-level estrogen release
 Rising estrogen levels:
 Inhibit the release of FSH and LH
 Prod the pituitary to synthesize and accumulate these
gonadotropins
 Estrogen levels increase and high estrogen levels have a
positive feedback effect on the pituitary, causing a sudden
surge of LH
Hormonal Interactions During the Ovarian
Cycle

 The LH spike stimulates the primary oocyte to

complete meiosis I, and the secondary oocyte
continues on to metaphase II
 Day 14 – LH triggers ovulation

 LH transforms the ruptured follicle into a corpus

luteum, which produces inhibin, progesterone, and
estrogen
Hormonal Interactions During the Ovarian
Cycle

 These hormones shut off FSH and LH release and

declining LH ends luteal activity
 Days 26-28 – decline of the ovarian hormones
 Ends the blockade of FSH and LH

 The cycle starts anew

Feedback Mechanisms in Ovarian Function

Figure 27.21
 Uterine Cycle

• menses
- menstrual bleeding

• proliferative phase
- endometrium adds a new layer of
cells (functional endometrium)
• secretory phase
- corpus luteum hormones enhance
endometrium secretions
 Coordination of Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

ovarian cycle

follicular ovul luteal

uterine cycle

menses proliferative secretory

0 14 28
Female Reproductive Hormones

• pituitary hormones
- FSH
- LH
• ovarian hormones
- estrogens
- progesterone
- inhibin
Hormones of the female reproductive cycle

 Control the reproductive cycle

 Coordinate the ovarian and uterine cycles

Hormones of the female reproductive cycle

 Key hormones include:

 FSH
 Stimulates follicular development
 LH
 Maintains structure and secretory function of
corpus luteum
 Estrogens
 Have multiple functions
 Progesterones
 Stimulate endometrial growth and secretion
The Hormonal Regulation of Ovarian Cycle

Figure 28.25
 Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
• FSH stimulates follicular cells to transform
into granulosa cells

• convert androgens to estrogens

 Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

• LH also supports follicular development

• stimulates thecal cells to synthesize androgens

 Hormonal Control of the Uterine Cycle

• the functional layer of the endometrium has

receptors for ovarian hormones
• estrogens stimulate growth during proliferative
phase
• progesterone stimulates growth during secretory
phase
• without implantation corpus luteum stops
producing hormones
Figure 28.26 The Hormonal Regulation of the
Female Reproductive Cycle

Figure 28.26a-c
Uterine cycle

 Repeating series of changes in the endometrium

 Continues from menarche to menopause
 Menses
 Degeneration of the endometrium
 Menstruation
 Proliferative phase
 Restoration of the endometrium
 Secretory phase
 Endometrial glands enlarge and accelerate their
rates of secretion
4 phases of menstrual cycle

 Menstrual flow

 Proliferative

 Ovulation

 Luteal
Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

 Series of cyclic changes that the uterine

endometrium goes through each month in response
to ovarian hormones in the blood
 Days 1-5: Menstrual phase – uterus sheds all but the
deepest part of the endometrium
 Days 6-14: Proliferative (preovulatory) phase –
endometrium rebuilds itself
 Days 15-28: Secretory (postovulatory) phase –
endometrium prepares for implantation of the
embryo
Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

 A menstrual cycle is started by FSH, which

stimulates the maturation of a follicle in the ovary.
 Follicular cells surrounding the developing oocyte
secrete estrogen, which is responsible for
maintaining secondary sexual characteristics as
well as the thickening of the uterine lining.
 Ovulation is triggered by a mid-cycle surge in
LH- Day 14.
 Following ovulation, follicular cells turn into
glandular corpus luteum that secretes increasing
amounts of estrogen and progesterone.
Ovulation

 Day 14 of the cycle

usually marks an event
called ovulation
 follicle ruptures open
and releases the ripened
egg
 Pituitary hormones: LH
and FSH are peaking
 Estrogen is also released
from follicle
Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle
 If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum
degenerates, hormone levels decline, and the uterine
lining disintegrates and is shed.
 During the cycle, estrogen and progesterone inhibit the
increased release of FSH and LH; when estrogen and
progesterone levels fall, the secretion of FSH and LH
increases.
 Days 26-28 – decline of the ovarian hormones
 Ends the blockade of FSH and LH
 The cycle starts anew
 If pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum produces
hormones until the placenta takes over that role (at about
3 months)
Menses

 If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels

fall, depriving the endometrium of hormonal support
 Spiral arteries kink and go into spasms and
endometrial cells begin to die
 The functional layer begins to digest itself

 Spiral arteries constrict one final time then suddenly

relax and open wide
 The rush of blood fragments weakened capillary
beds and the functional layer sloughs
The Uterine Cycle

Figure 28.20
Menstrual Cycle:
Egg Maturation, and Endometrial Growth

 Follicular phase
 Egg matures
 Ovulation
 Egg released
 Luteal phase
 Corpus luteum
 Endometrium
 Prep for blastocyst
 No Pregnancy
 Menses

Figure 26-13: The menstrual cycle

Figure 27.22c, d
Hormone Regulation during Menstrual Cycle

28-63
Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle:
Follicular Phase

 FSH stimulates follicular development

 Estrogen: + feedback, limits more follicles
Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle: Ovulation

  Estrogen  LH "surge" & FSH spike  egg release

 Inhibin pushes FSH down ,  new follicle development
Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle:
Follicular Phase and Ovulation

Figure 26-14a,b: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle: Luteal
phase

 Granulosa cells form corpus luteum  progesterone

  progesterone & estrogen maintain endometrium

 Inhibin continues to limit new follicular
development
Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle:
Late Luteal phase

 Pregnancy: maintain  progesterone, estrogen &

inhibin
 No pregnancy:  progesterone, estrogen & inhibin
 Menses,  FSH & LH  new follicle development
Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle:
Luteal phase and Late Luteal phase

Figure 26-14c, d: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

Gonadotropins, Hormones, and the Ovarian
and Uterine Cycles

Figure 27.22a, b
During which days of the cycle is
FSH at its lowest?

 FSH: follicle stimulating hormones is at its lowest

during the last days of the cycle
When FSH levels are low what is
the size of the follicle

 It is shrinking and
disappearing while
a new set is
growing
 What is happening to estrogen during the follicle
phase?
 It dips then rises

 In response the uterus lining dips then rises

Hormones and What Happens in
the Ovaries

• Luteal phase - after releasing an egg, the follicle

turns into the corpus luteum

– The corpus luteum manufactures progesterone

• Menstruation - shedding of the inner lining of the

uterus
Length and Timing of the Cycle

 Normal menstrual cycle = 20 to 36 to 40 days; average

is about 28 days
 Menstruation begins on day 1 and continues until about
day 4 or 5
 Follicular phase extends from about day 5 to about day
13
 Ovulation occurs on day 14
 Luteal phase extends from day 15 to the end of the
cycle, day 28
Other Cyclic Changes

Two other physiological processes fluctuate

with the menstrual cycle:

– The cervical mucus cycle

– The basal body temperature cycle

Fluctuations in Performance

 Research on intellectual or athletic performance

generally shows no fluctuations over the cycle
 Research on academic performance, problem
solving, memory, or creative thinking shows no
fluctuations over the cycle
Menstruation disorder

 Normal menstrual cycle involves hypothalamus-

pituitary-ovary and uterus and is 28 days
 Vaginal bleeding is abnormal (Abnormal Uterine
Bleeding--AUB) when:
 Volume is excessive or
 Occurs at times other than expected, including
during pregnancy or menopause
 Known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)
when organic causes are excluded
AUB

 Duration >7 days or

 Flow >80ml/cycle or

 Occurs more frequently than 21 days or

 Occurs more than 90 days apart or

 Intermenstrual or postcoital bleeding

Terminology

 Menorrhagia:
excessive flow
 Metrorrhagia:
irregular intervals
 Menometrorrhagia:
excessive volume
 Oligomenorrhea:
scanty flow
 Dysmenorrhea:
painful menstrual
cycles
Causes of Menstrual Disorders

 Structural

 Pregnancy associated

 Hormonal and endocrine

 Hematologic and coagulation disorders

 Other
Menopause

 The time that ovulation and menstruation cease

entirely
 Typically around age 45-55

 Accompanied by a decline in circulating estrogen

and progesterone
 Rise in GnRH, FSH, LH
Menopause

 Without sufficient estrogen, reproductive organs and

breasts atrophy
 Irritability and depression result

 Skin blood vessels undergo intense vasodilation

(hot flashes occur)
 Gradual thinning of the skin and bone loss

 Males have no equivalent to menopause

Thank you