Reproductive anatomy (lesson 1)

Female reproductive system

Main Functions:
 Produce egg cells (ova)
 Provide a place for a fertilized egg to develop
Organs
 Ovaries: Paired organs that produce egg cells and estrogen.
o Contain about 2 million potential egg cells at birth.
 Fallopian tubes: Carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Fertilization can
occur here.
 Uterus (womb): Pear-shaped organ where a fertilized egg implants and
develops during pregnancy.
o Three layers: inner (epithelial), middle (muscle), outer (connective
tissue).
 Lower end called the cervix, which opens into the vagina.
 Vagina: Muscular canal that serves as the birth canal and the entrance for
sexual intercourse.
Hormones:
 Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Stimulates egg cell development.
 Luteinizing hormone (LH): Stimulates release of estrogen.
 Estrogen:
o Controls development of female sexual characteristics (widened
pelvis, fat deposits, bone mass, breast enlargement).
o Needed for egg cell maturation.
o Prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy.

Process:
 FSH and LH stimulate estrogen release.
 Estrogen triggers development of female sexual characteristics and
prepares the uterus.
 An egg matures in the ovary and is released.
 The egg travels through the fallopian tube.
 Fertilization by sperm can occur in the fallopian tube.
 A fertilized egg implants in the uterus.
 An unfertilized egg is broken down and discarded.

Male reproductive system notes:

Sperm production to ejaculation
Sperm Production:
 Starts at puberty in the testicles.
 Millions of sperm produced daily in tiny tubes called seminiferous tubules.
 Requires hormones:
 o Testosterone (stimulated by LH) - controls development and
production of sperm, also influences male sexual characteristics.
o FSH - works with testosterone for sperm production.

Temperature control:
 Testicles hang outside the body in the scrotum to maintain a cooler
temperature.
 Sperm development is sensitive to heat.
Sperm Journey:
 Immature sperm leave the testes and travel to the epididymis for
maturation and storage.
 During sexual stimulation, sperm travel through the vas deferens.
 Secondary sex glands add fluids:
o Prostate - fluid for sperm movement.
o Bulbourethral gland - neutralizes acidity.
o Seminal vesicle - neutralizes acidity and nourishes sperm.
 All these fluids with sperm form semen.
Ejaculation:
 Blood flow makes the penis rigid.
 Semen moves to the urethra.
 Muscles contract to expel semen from the penis.

name all the structures, glands, hormones and their functions

Structures:
 Testes: Paired oval organs within the scrotum that produce sperm and
testosterone.
 Scrotum: Pouch of skin that hangs below the pelvis, keeping the testes
cooler for sperm production. (<37 so between 36 and 36.5)
 Epididymis: Long, coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored.
 Vas deferens: Long duct that carries sperm from the epididymis to the
urethra during ejaculation.
 Urethra: Tube that carries urine from the bladder and semen out of the
penis.
 Penis: Male organ for sexual intercourse and urination.
 Semen: from the 3 glands that produce a milky fluid
Glands:
 Prostate gland: Gland surrounding the urethra that produces a fluid to help
sperm move.
 Bulbourethral glands: Glands that secrete a lubricating fluid into the
urethra and neutralize vaginal acidity.
  Seminal vesicles: Glands that secrete a fluid to nourish and protect sperm
and neutralize vaginal acidity.
Hormones:
 Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Produced by the pituitary gland,
stimulates sperm production in the testes.
 Luteinizing hormone (LH): Produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates
testosterone release from the testes.
 Testosterone: Main male sex hormone, produced in the testes. Functions
include:
o Stimulating sperm production.

o Development of male sexual characteristics (deeper voice, body

hair, muscle mass, bone density).

Reproductive processes (lesson 2 )

Production of eggs
Pre-Birth Development:
 Meiosis, a cell division process for creating sex cells, starts before birth in
females.
 Chromosomes duplicate before Meiosis I begins, but the process pauses
until puberty.
 At birth, a female has roughly 2 million partially developed eggs (oocytes)
in her ovaries.
 Before puberty arrives, many oocytes break down, leaving around
400,000.
Puberty and Hormone Cycle:
 Puberty triggers a monthly hormone cycle, initiating the second stage of
egg production.
 Every 28 days (approximately), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels
rise.
 This FSH surg e prompts a partially developed egg to complete
Meiosis I (see Figure 2.1).
 Unequal division occurs, resulting in two sex cells.
 The larger cell, containing most organelles, cytoplasm, and nutrients for a
future embryo, is retained.
 The smaller cell, called a polar body, gets reabsorbed.
Fertilization and Completion of Meiosis:
 The larger sex cell only completes Meiosis II after sperm enters it.
 Another division creates an ovum (mature egg) and a second polar body
(which breaks down).
 Both the ovum and the second polar body carry 23 chromosomes inherited
from the mother.
Release of egg
 The egg resides within a follicle inside the ovary.
 As the egg matures, the follicle grows and prepares to release it.
 During ovulation, the follicle ruptures, and the egg is expelled from the
ovary.
 Fimbriae, finger-like projections on the fallopian tube, sweep the egg into
the tube.
 Inside the fallopian tube, the egg travels towards the uterus for potential
fertilization by sperm.
 If fertilization doesn't occur within 5-7 days, the egg is discarded during
menstruation.
The menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is a series of monthly changes in a woman's reproductive
system that prepares the body for pregnancy. It involves producing and releasing
an egg (ovulation) and thickening the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to
receive a fertilized egg.
Length and Phases:
 The cycle's length varies but averages 28 days.
 There are three main phases:
o Flow phase (period)
o Follicular phase
o Luteal phase

Hormonal Regulation:
Specific hormones regulate the timing of each phase:
Flow Phase (Days 1-5):
 The lining of the uterus sheds (menstruation).
 Blood, mucus, and tissue are expelled.
 Uterine contractions (cramps) may occur.
 Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels rise, stimulating a new follicle to
mature in the ovary.
Follicular Phase (Days 6-14):
 Estrogen levels are low initially.
 FSH and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) rise due to signals from the
hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
 A follicle in the ovary matures, containing an egg.
 Estrogen increases, thickening the endometrium.
 A surge in LH triggers ovulation (egg release) around day 14.
Luteal Phase (Days 15-28):
 The empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum, secreting estrogen and
progesterone.
 Progesterone prepares the endometrium for implantation (pregnancy).
  If pregnancy doesn't occur, rising estrogen and progesterone lead to a
decrease in FSH and LH.
 The corpus luteum breaks down, causing estrogen and progesterone levels
to drop.
 The endometrium sheds, starting the next flow phase.
Reproductive Years and Menopause:
 The cycle continues throughout a woman's reproductive years (preteen to
late 50s).
 Declining hormone levels with age disrupt the cycle.
 Menopause: the cycle becomes irregular and eventually stops (can occur
as early as mid-30s).

Sperm production
Difference between men and woman
 Timing
o Females: Begin producing eggs before birth. These eggs arrest in
their development until puberty.
o Males: Do not produce sperm until puberty when hormones trigger
their development.
 Gamete Production:
o Females: Typically ovulate (release) one mature egg per menstrual
cycle.
o Males: Produce millions of sperm cells daily in a continuous process.
Production of sperm
 Hypothalamus releases hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland.
 Pituitary releases FSH and LH
 FSH and LH travel to the testes, stimulating testosterone production.
 Testosterone triggers meiosis in specialized cells within the testes,
resulting in mature sperm cells.
 Rising testosterone levels suppress FSH and LH production, regulating
sperm count – called the feedback loop
Difference between eggs and sperm cells
 Sperm cells divide into four equal, haploid cells (23 chromosomes each)
during meiosis, unlike eggs which discard genetic material in polar bodies.
Sperm structure:
Each sperm consists of a head, midpiece, and tail:
 Head: Contains the nucleus with genetic material and an acrosome
(releases enzymes to penetrate the egg).
 Midpiece: Houses mitochondria for energy production (ATP).
 Tail (Flagellum): Propels the sperm towards the egg.
Sperm Journey:
 Millions of sperm are released during ejaculation.
 They travel through the vagina and uterus towards the fallopian tubes.
Egg and Sperm Interaction:
 Only one sperm fertilizes the egg.
 The egg's membrane has binding sites for sperm attachment.
 A specific sperm enzyme dissolves the membrane at the contact point.
 The sperm enters the egg, triggering a change in the egg surface to block
other sperm.
Question: why only one sperm cell fertilizes an egg?
 The egg has a protective layer surrounding it called the zona pellucida.
This layer contains binding sites for sperm, but it's not a free-for-all. When
a sperm successfully binds and triggers the acrosomal reaction (releasing
enzymes to penetrate the membrane), the egg takes action. Special
molecules are released within the egg that modify the zona pellucida,
essentially hardening it or creating a block at the point of sperm entry.
This prevents other sperm from binding or fusing with the egg. It's like the
egg throws a "closed for business" sign after the first successful applicant.
Fertilized Egg (Zygote):
 The egg completes meiosis II (cell division).
 The sperm's 23 chromosomes combine with the egg's 23 chromosomes to
form a zygote with 46 chromosomes.
 This genetic combination creates diversity due to differing gene alleles.
Types of Twins:
  Fraternal twins: Two separate eggs are fertilized, resulting in non-identical
siblings.
 Identical twins: A single fertilized egg splits into two zygotes, leading to
genetically identical babies.
Infertility:
 Male Infertility:
o Blocked or narrow vas deferens: This duct carries sperm from the
testes. Blockages prevent sperm from leaving the body.
o Low sperm count: Insufficient sperm quantity reduces the chance of
fertilization.
o Weak or deformed sperm: Sperm abnormalities can impede their
ability to reach or fertilize the egg.
o Certain illnesses: Mumps in adults can damage sperm production in
the testes.
 Female Infertility:
o Damaged ovaries: Diseases can impair egg production.
o Damaged fallopian tubes: Blockages or damage can prevent eggs
from reaching the uterus or sperm from reaching the egg.
o Egg defects: Abnormalities in the egg itself may hinder sperm
penetration.
 Treatment Options:
o Medications: Drugs may be prescribed to address hormonal
imbalances or other issues.
o Surgery: Procedures can correct blockages or other physical
problems.
o Dietary changes: Dietary adjustments might improve sperm health
or overall reproductive health.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
 Types of STDs:
 Bacterial:
o Examples: Chlamydia (most common), syphilis, gonorrhea
o Effects: Attack reproductive organs, can cause infertility. Syphilis, if
untreated, can be fatal.
o Treatment: Mostly treatable with antibiotics.
 Parasitic:
o Example: Trichomoniasis (affects young women most)
o Effects: Can cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
o Treatment: Treatable with antibiotics (similar to bacterial STDs).
 Viral:
o Examples: Hepatitis B, genital herpes, HPV, HIV/AIDS
o Effects: No cure exists, but medications can manage some
(Hepatitis B). HPV linked to cervical cancer. HIV causes AIDS.
o Treatment: Antibiotics ineffective against viruses.
 Prevention:
o Abstinence before marriage.
o Faithful monogamous relationships.
o Condom use (offers protection, but not foolproof).