Reproductive System Case Studies

I.​ Case Study: Sarah's Reproductive Health Check-up

Sarah is a 32-year-old woman who is planning to start a family. She and her partner have been
trying to conceive for several months without success. Sarah has a history of irregular menstrual
cycles and experiences occasional pelvic pain. She decides to visit a reproductive
endocrinologist for a comprehensive check-up.

Questions:

1.​ Which primary function of the reproductive system is Sarah trying to achieve?​

○​ A) Production of sex hormones

○​ B) Support of secondary sexual characteristics
○​ C) Production of offspring
○​ D) Regulation of metabolism
2.​ Sarah's irregular menstrual cycles suggest a potential issue with which part of the female
reproductive physiology?​

○​ A) Spermatogenesis
○​ B) The ovarian and menstrual cycles
○​ C) Male accessory gland function
○​ D) Formation of semen
3.​ If fertilization were to occur, in which specific structure would it most commonly take
place?​

○​ A) Uterus
○​ B) Ovary
○​ C) Fallopian tube
○​ D) Vagina
4.​ The doctor explains that a key process for producing Sarah's ova involves a special type
of cell division. What is this process called?​

○​ A) Mitosis
○​ B) Meiosis
○​ C) Fertilization
○​ D) Spermatogenesis
5.​ The doctor wants to assess Sarah's ovarian function. Which hormones are primarily
secreted by the ovaries?​

○​ A) GnRH and LH
○​ B) FSH and testosterone
○​ C) Estrogen and progesterone
 ○​ D) hCG and prolactin
6.​ If Sarah were to become pregnant, which hormone would the developing embryo
release to maintain the corpus luteum initially?​

○​ A) Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

○​ B) Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
○​ C) Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
○​ D) Progesterone
7.​ Sarah asks about the male reproductive system, specifically where sperm mature and
are stored. What is the name of this structure?​

○​ A) Testes
○​ B) Vas deferens
○​ C) Epididymis
○​ D) Urethra
8.​ Which accessory gland in the male reproductive system contributes a fructose-rich fluid
to semen, providing nourishment for sperm?​

○​ A) Prostate gland
○​ B) Bulbourethral glands
○​ C) Seminal vesicles
○​ D) Testes
9.​ If Sarah's partner were to undergo an examination, which hormone would be primarily
responsible for stimulating Leydig cells to produce testosterone?​

○​ A) FSH
○​ B) GnRH
○​ C) LH
○​ D) Estrogen
10.​Considering the overall goal of the reproductive system, what is the ultimate outcome if
all its functions are successful?​

○​ A) Regulation of metabolism
○​ B) Production of gametes
○​ C) Continuity of life/species propagation
○​ D) Development of secondary sexual characteristics

II. Case Study: Mr. Harrison's Annual Health Check-up

Mr. Harrison is a 65-year-old male visiting his doctor for his annual health check-up. He
expresses concerns about some changes he's noticed, including a decrease in libido and some
difficulty with urination. While he understands that some changes are natural with aging, he
wants to ensure everything is healthy. The doctor decides to conduct a thorough examination
focusing on his reproductive and associated systems.

Questions:

1.​ Mr. Harrison's concerns about decreased libido and changes in function are most likely
related to the gradual decline of which hormone in males as they age?​

○​ A) Estrogen
○​ B) FSH
○​ C) Testosterone
○​ D) Progesterone
2.​ Sperm production in males occurs continuously throughout life, beginning at puberty. In
which specific structures within the testes does spermatogenesis take place?​

○​ A) Epididymis
○​ B) Seminal vesicles
○​ C) Seminiferous tubules
○​ D) Vas deferens
3.​ During ejaculation, sperm travel through a specific series of ducts. Which of the following
correctly represents the order of sperm passage after leaving the epididymis?​

○​ A) Urethra, ejaculatory ducts, vas deferens

○​ B) Vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, urethra
○​ C) Ejaculatory ducts, vas deferens, urethra
○​ D) Vas deferens, urethra, ejaculatory ducts
4.​ Mr. Harrison's difficulty with urination could be related to the enlargement of which
accessory reproductive gland, common in aging males?​

○​ A) Seminal vesicles
○​ B) Bulbourethral glands
○​ C) Testes
○​ D) Prostate gland
5.​ The regulation of male reproductive function, including testosterone production, is
primarily controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Which hormone,
secreted by the hypothalamus, initiates this axis?​

○​ A) LH
○​ B) FSH
○​ C) GnRH
○​ D) Testosterone
6.​ Which type of cell division is responsible for the production of sperm cells, ensuring they
have half the number of chromosomes?​

○​ A) Mitosis
 ○​ B) Meiosis
○​ C) Fertilization
○​ D) Oogenesis
7.​ The doctor explains that Leydig cells play a crucial role in male reproductive function.
What is the primary function of Leydig cells?​

○​ A) To promote sperm maturation

○​ B) To secrete testosterone
○​ C) To store sperm
○​ D) To produce seminal fluid
8.​ If the doctor were to assess Mr. Harrison's sperm viability, which component of seminal
fluid, provided by the seminal vesicles, would be important for nourishing the sperm?​

○​ A) Enzymes
○​ B) Mucus
○​ C) Fructose
○​ D) Acidic substances
9.​ Which of the following is considered the external organ responsible for copulation in the
male reproductive system?​

○​ A) Scrotum
○​ B) Testes
○​ C) Epididymis
○​ D) Penis
10.​The doctor mentions that even with age-related changes, many individuals remain
sexually active. What is the term sometimes used to describe the gradual decline in
testosterone levels in aging males?​

○​ A) Menopause
○​ B) Andropause
○​ C) Ovulation
○​ D) Spermatogenesis

III. Case Study: Emily's First Pregnancy

Emily is a 29-year-old woman who has just confirmed her first pregnancy. She and her partner
are thrilled, but Emily has many questions about the physiological changes her body will
undergo to support the developing embryo and fetus. She wants to understand the hormonal
shifts and the roles of different reproductive organs during gestation.

Questions:
1.​ Emily understands that her pregnancy began with the fusion of two gametes. What is the
product of this fusion, which will then implant in her uterus?​

○​ A) Ovum
○​ B) Sperm
○​ C) Zygote
○​ D) Follicle
2.​ Before implantation, the fertilized egg travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus. Which
muscular organ will provide the environment for the embryo and fetus to develop?​

○​ A) Ovary
○​ B) Cervix
○​ C) Vagina
○​ D) Uterus
3.​ Early in her pregnancy, Emily's doctor explains the importance of the corpus luteum.
What primary hormone does the corpus luteum secrete to maintain the uterine lining and
support the early pregnancy?​

○​ A) Estrogen
○​ B) Progesterone
○​ C) FSH
○​ D) LH
4.​ Emily learns that a specific hormone, produced by the developing embryo, is crucial for
maintaining the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over. What is this hormone?​

○​ A) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

○​ B) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
○​ C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
○​ D) Prolactin
5.​ Prior to fertilization, Emily's body undergoes an ovarian cycle. What event, triggered by a
surge in LH, marks the release of a mature egg from the ovary?​

○​ A) Follicular phase
○​ B) Luteal phase
○​ C) Ovulation
○​ D) Menstruation
6.​ During her pregnancy, Emily's mammary glands will prepare for milk production. What is
the primary role of the mammary glands in relation to offspring?​

○​ A) Producing sex hormones

○​ B) Facilitating fertilization
○​ C) Nourishing offspring post-birth
○​ D) Supporting fetal development
7.​ The female reproductive system is structured for several key processes. Which of the
following is NOT listed as a primary purpose of the female reproductive system in the
provided text?​

○​ A) Ovulation
○​ B) Gestation
○​ C) Spermatogenesis
○​ D) Childbirth
8.​ Emily is curious about the different phases of the menstrual (uterine) cycle. Which phase
involves the rebuilding of the endometrial lining under the influence of estrogen?​

○​ A) Menstruation
○​ B) Proliferative phase
○​ C) Secretory phase
○​ D) Luteal phase
9.​ If Emily were not pregnant, a drop in which two hormones would typically trigger
menstruation?​

○​ A) FSH and LH
○​ B) GnRH and testosterone
○​ C) Estrogen and progesterone
○​ D) hCG and prolactin
10.​The female external genitalia are collectively known by which term?​

○​ A) Cervix
○​ B) Vagina
○​ C) Uterus
○​ D) Vulva
Answer Key

— I.

1.​ C) Production of offspring

2.​ B) The ovarian and menstrual cycles
3.​ C) Fallopian tube
4.​ B) Meiosis
5.​ C) Estrogen and progesterone
6.​ C) Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
7.​ C) Epididymis
8.​ C) Seminal vesicles
9.​ C) LH
10.​C) Continuity of life/species propagation

— II.

1.​ C) Testosterone
2.​ C) Seminiferous tubules
3.​ B) Vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, urethra
4.​ D) Prostate gland
5.​ C) GnRH
6.​ B) Meiosis
7.​ B) To secrete testosterone
8.​ C) Fructose
9.​ D) Penis
10.​B) Andropause

— III.

1.​ C) Zygote
2.​ D) Uterus
3.​ B) Progesterone
4.​ C) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
5.​ C) Ovulation
6.​ C) Nourishing offspring post-birth
7.​ C) Spermatogenesis
8.​ B) Proliferative phase
9.​ C) Estrogen and progesterone
10.​D) Vulva