REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

A. FUNCTIONS:

1. Production and maturation of gametes

2. Secretion of sex hormones

Female Gonad Hormones

The primary hormones of the ovaries are estrogens and

progesterone.

Estrogens - Group of female sex hormones important for

reproduction and the development of female sex characteristics.
Estrogens are responsible for growth and maturation of the
uterus and vagina; breast development; widening of the pelvis;
greater fat distribution in the hips, thighs, and breast; uterus
changes during the menstrual cycle; and increased growth of
body hair.

Progesterone - Hormone that functions to prepare the uterus for

conception; regulates uterus changes during the menstrual cycle;
increases sexual desire; aids in ovulation; and stimulates gland
development for milk production during pregnancy.
Androstenedione - Androgen hormone that serves
as a precursor to testosterone and estrogens.

Activin - Hormone that stimulates the production

and release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
It also assists in menstrual cycle regulation.

Inhibin - Hormone that inhibits the production

and release of FSH.
Male Gonad Hormones

Androgens are hormones that primarily influence the

development of the male reproductive system. Although found in
much higher levels in men, androgens are also produced in
women. Testosterone is the main androgen secreted by the testes.

Testosterone - Sex hormone important for the development of

male sex organs and sex characteristics. Testosterone is
responsible for increased muscle and bone mass; increased
growth of body hair; development of broad shoulders; deepening
of the voice; and growth of the penis.

Androstenedione - Hormone that serves as a precursor to

testosterone and estrogens.

Inhibin - Hormone that inhibits the release of FSH and is thought

B. PARTS:
MALE
1. Testes – main
reproductive organs
located in the scrotum
composed of tiny
tubules called
seminiferous tubules
where spermatogenesis
occurs and
interstitial cells
which secrete the
male hormone
testosterone
2. Ducts
a. Epididymis – along top
and sides of each testis
consisting of tightly coiled
tube enclosed in a fibrous
case which secretes small
part of semen, stores
semen prior to ejaculation
and conducts semen from
testes
to vas deferens.
b. Vas Deferens or Seminal
Ducts – a pair of tubes
extending through the
inguinal canal into the
abdominal cavity over the
top and down posterior
surface of the bladder to
join ducts from seminal
vesicles which conduct
sperms and small amount of
fluid from epididymis to
ejaculatory ducts

- cut during a
Clinical Focus 19Bf
c. Ejaculatory Ducts –
formed by the union of
each vas deferens with
ducts from seminal
vesicle passing through
the prostate gland
terminating in the
urethra for the
ejaculation of the
semen into the urethra

d. Urethra
3. Accessory Glands

a. Seminal Vesicle – convoluted pouches with mucous lining

located on the posterior surface of the bladder which secrete
nutrient-rich fluid (constitute about 60 % of the semen)
- provide fructose
- contain prostaglandins which decrease mucus thickness around
cervix and uterine
tubes and help sperm
move through female
repro. Tract
- contains coagulants
that help deliver
semen into female
b. Prostate Gland -
walnut-size glands with
ducts opening into the
urethra secreting an
alkaline substance
which increase sperm
motility (constitute 30%
of semen)
- contains enzymes to
liquefy semen after it
is inside female
- neutralizes acidity
of vagina
c. Bulbo-urethral or
Cowper’s Gland –
small, pea-shaped
glands with ducts
leading into the
urethral located
just below the
prostate which
secrete an alkaline
fluid that lubricates
the urethra prior to
ejaculation
4. External Genitalia
a. Scrotum – skin – covered pouch suspended from
perineal region and divided into two compartments,
each containing the testis, epididymis, and first part of
seminal ducts; allows sperms to develop to 2-3 degrees
below body temperature
- contains dartos
muscle that moves
scrotum and testes
close to and away
from body depending
on temp.
b. Penis – copulatory organ made up of three cylindrical
masses of erectile (corporus cavernosum, corpus
spongiosum, spongy urethra) tissue containing large
vascular space (filling of these spaces with blood causes
erection)
 SECRETION
• Semen:
- mixture of sperm and secretions from glands
- provides a transport medium and nutrients
that protect and activate sperm
- 60% of fluid is from seminal vesicles
- 30% of fluid is from prostate gland
- 5% of fluid is from bulbourethral gland
- 5% of fluid is from testes
• Testicular secretions:
-include sperm and small amount of fluid

• 2-5 ml of semen is ejaculated each time

• 1 ml of semen contains 100 million sperm

• Sperm can live for 72 hours once inside

female
 PATH OF SPERM

1. Sperm develop in seminiferous tubules

(testes)
2. Epididymis (mature)
3. Ductus deferens
4. Receive secretions from seminal
vesicles, prostate gland, and
bulbourethral gland
5. Urethra where semen (sperm) exit body
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. Ovaries
- Almond-shaped organs suspended by the
mesovarium
- Contain Graafian follicles embedded in
connective tissue in which the ova develop;
each month, surface of the ovary ruptures
and expels its ovum into the pelvic cavity
Clinical Focus 19Bg
 FEMALE

2. Uterine Tube (Fallopian Tubes or Oviducts)

- a pair of tubes attached to the upper outer angle of
uterus with fimbriated distal ends that open into the
pelvic cavity; for the passage of ova from ovaries to
uterus; site of fertilization
-fimbriae: fringe-like structures around opening of
uterine tubes that help sweep oocyte into uterine tubes
-tubal ligation (sterilization of female)
-ectopic pregnancy: if fertilized oocyte (zygote)
implants somewhere beside uterus (usually in uterine
tube)
Clinical Focus 19Bg
3. Uterus
-pear-shaped organ (approximately) the
size of a clenched fist) located in the pelvic
cavity between the bladder and rectum

-function is associated with menstruation,

pregnancy, and labor

-cervix: narrow region that leads to

vagina
F ig u re1 9 .9
• Uterus layers:
- perimetrium (serous): outermost
layer
- myometrium (muscular): middle layer
composed of smooth muscle
- endometrium: innermost layer that is
sloughed off during menstruation

33
F ig u re1 9 .9
 Menstrual Cycle
• What is it?
series of changes that occur in sexually mature, non
pregnant females

• Menarche first episode of menstrual bleeding

• Menses:
time when endometrium is shed from uterus
• Average is 28 days and results from cyclical changes that
occur in endometrium

35
4. Vagina
- collapsible, musculo- membranous
tube located between rectum and
urethra with an outlet to the exterior
protected by a fold of mucosa
membrane called hymen whose
functions are: to receive semen from the
male; acts as duct for uterine secretions
and menstrual flow and constitutes the
lower part of the birth canal.
F ig u re1 9 .9
5. Vulva – collective term for external
genitalia composed of:

a. Mons veneris – hairy skin-covered pad of

fat over the symphyses pubis

b. Labia majora -hairy skin-covered lips ;

equivalent to male scrotum

c. Labia minora –thin, inner folds of skin

d. Clitoris – small
mound of erectile
tissue below junction
of two minora
e. Urinary meatus –
opening into the
urethra just below the
clitoris
f. Vaginal orifice-
opening into the vagina
below the urinary
meatus
g.Prepuce –
where 2 labia
minora unite
over clitoris
h. Vestibule –
space in which
vagina and
urethra are
located
6. Accessory Glands
a. Skene’sglands–small mucous glands whose
ducts open on each side of the urinary meatus

b. Bartolin’s glands – a pair of small, bean-

shaped glands whose ducts open on the side of
the vaginal orifice

7. Breasts or Mammary Glands – lobulated gland

located under the skim over the pectoralis major
muscle which functions for milk secretion
 GENITAL DISEASES

1. Genital Warts (HPV)

- You don't have to have sex to get an STD. Skin-
to-skin contact is enough to spread HPV, the
virus family that causes genital warts. Some
types cause warts and are usually harmless, but
others may lead to cervical or anal cancer.
Vaccines can protect against some of the most
dangerous types
 GENITAL DISEASES

2. Crabs (Pubic Lice)

-"Crabs" is the common term for lice that set up
shop in pubic hair. The term comes from the
shape of the tiny parasites, which look very
different from head or body lice. The creatures
crawl from one person to another during close
contact. Pubic lice can be killed with over-the-
counter lotions.
 GENITAL DISEASES

3. Gonorrhea
-it is a sexually transmitted disease which is
caused by infection with the bacterium
Neisseria gonorrhea. It tends to infect
warm, moist areas of the body.
-gonorrhea passes from person to person
through unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal
sex.
 GENITAL DISEASES

4. Syphilis
- It is a highly contagious disease spread
primarily by sexual activity, including oral and
anal sex. Occasionally, the diseased can be
passed to another person through prolonged
kissing or close bodily contact.
-it is caused by Treponema Pallidum
 GENITAL DISEASES

5. HIV/AIDS
-The HIV virus weakens the body's defense
against infections. HIV spreads through
unprotected sex, needle sharing, or being born
to an infected mother. It may cause no
symptoms for years, so a blood test is the best
way to learn your status. Timely treatment is
important to help prevent serious illnesses