Sexual Reproduction in Human
testis ovary
meiosis meiosis
sperms fertilization eggs (ova)
zygote
embryo
foetus
baby
MALE REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
Testes
• For production of male gametes (sperms)
• For production of male sex hormones
(testosterone)
Epididymis
• A series of tubes
• For temporarily storage of sperms
• During copulation, muscles of epididymis
contract to release sperms
Vas deferens
• A tube that carries sperm from epididymis
to urethra
Testis and epididymis
epididymis
vas deferens
(sperm duct)
sperm tubules
Functions of Seminal Fluid
• To provide a medium for the sperms to
swim
• To activate and nourish the sperms
• To neutralize the acidity in the female
reproductive tract
Penis
• Erection- when the penis becomes
engorged with blood and hard
• Ejaculation- release of semen out of the penis
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
Functions of Ovary
• For production of female gametes
(ova/eggs)
• For production of female sex hormones
Estrogen
• Estrogen is responsible for the secondary
sex characteristics and the sex drive in
females. It spurs the onset of puberty and
is responsible for OVULATION.
Progesterone
• Progesterone builds up the lining of the
uterus called the endometrium in
preparation for the fertilized ovum
Fallopian tubes
• Carries the ovum forward by
– the beating action of the cilia on its inner
surface
– the contraction of muscles of oviduct
– Fertilization takes place in the upper third of
the oviduct.
Uterus
• During embryo development
– Protect the embryo
– Provide a constant environment for the
embryo to develop
– Allow placenta to attach on
• During birth of baby
– Push the baby out by muscular contraction
Ovulation
• The release of an ovum from an ovary
occurs at around day 14
Menstrual Cycle
• Once in about 28 days
• The uterine lining becomes thickened 14
days after ovulation to prepare for the
fertilized ovum to implant in it
Menstrual Cycle
• Day 1 - 5
– Menstruation (bleeding )occurs
– Uterine lining sheds and decreases in
thickness to a minimum
.
Menstrual Cycle
• Day 6 - 14
– Lining becomes thicker with increased
blood supply
– Day 14 : ovulation
Menstrual Cycle
• Day 14 - 28
– Lining remains thick to ready for
implantation of fertilized ovum
Menstrual Cycle
• Day 28
– No implantation of fertilization ovum
– Uterine lining breaks down; menstruation
starts
Cervix
• The neck or opening of the uterus.
• A normal healthy cervix is the strongest muscle
in the body.
• It dips down about half an inch into the vagina.
• It is normally plugged by mucus. It stays tightly
closed during pregnancy, but thins and opens
for the delivery of the baby.
• How big does it need to dilate to for birth?
Click here
Vagina
• Female organ used for intercourse, it is an
empty passageway leading from the
vaginal opening to the uterus.
• It is only 3-4 inches long, but will lengthen
during arousal.
• The vaginal walls are made of many small
folds of membrane that stretch greatly to
accommodate a baby during birth.
• The vaginal wall also secrete a fluid that
helps to make intercourse easier.
Click here
Urethra
• The opening to the bladder
Click here
Clitoris
• A small, pea shaped bump at the front of
the labia.
• It contains a small amount of erectile
tissue.
• The clitoris increases sexual pleasure
Click here
Female Hormones
• Pituitary Hormones:
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone: stimulates
maturation of egg cells
• Luteinizing hormone: stimulates release of egg
cell form ovary during ovulation
• Ovary Hormones:
• Oestrogens- from ovaries, development of
sexual organs at puberty, role in ovulation
• Progesterone- from ovaries, thickens
endometrium (lining of uterus), role in ovulation
Oestrogen
Ovulation
• Primary follicle matures ( at any one time there
will be a number of them that are maturing and
are at different stages)
• The most mature follicle and ova at the time of
the LH surge release the ovum into the fallopian
tube
• The “shell” corpus luteum is absorbed by the
ovary if fertilisation does not take place in 48
hours of ovulation and the egg will disintegrate.
Events Happened after
Fertilization
• Ovum is fertilized at the oviduct
• Fertilized ovum is carried to the uterus by
– the beating cilia on the inner wall of oviduct
– the contraction of muscles of oviduct
• After reaching the uterus, the fertilized
ovum fixed firmly onto the thick uterine
wall
Implantation
Development of Human Foetus
uterus
foetus
placenta
umbilical cord
amnion
amniotic fluid
Functions of the Uterus
• During embryo development
– Protect the embryo
– Provide a constant environment for the
embryo to develop
– Allow placenta to attach on
• During birth of baby
– Push the baby out by muscular contraction
Functions of the Amniotic Fluid
• To keep the foetus moist to prevent
desiccation
• As a water cushion to
– support the foetus
– allow it to move freely
– absorb shock
– protect the foetus from mechanical injuries
• To reduce temperature fluctuation
• To lubricate the vagina during birth
The Placenta
oxygenated blood from
mother’s artery
deoxygenated blood to
mother’s vein
villus
umbilical vein
umbilical artery
Functions of the Placenta
• As a place of exchange of materials
between mother and the foetus
• For secreting hormones
Adaptations of the Placenta
• Finger-like villi
– to increase the surface area for efficient diffusion
• Maternal blood and foetal blood flows in
opposite direction
– to speed up diffusion of materials between them
• Maternal blood capillaries and foetal blood
capillaries are separated by thin membrane
– to shorten the distance of diffusion of materials
Adaptations of the Placenta
• Maternal blood is separated from foetal
blood by capillary wall
– to prevent high pressure of maternal blood to
break the delicate foetal blood vessels
– to prevent harmful substances to enter the
foetus
– to prevent clotting of maternal and foetal
blood if their blood groups are incompatible
