HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM

PREPARED BY: PUAN SOFIYAH NORDIN

 HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. Anatomy of male reproductive system.

2. Anatomy of female reproductive system.

3. Physiology of male reproductive system.

 Spermatogenesis.

4. Physiology of female reproductive system.

 Oogenesis.
 Ovarian cycle.
 Menstrual cycle.
 HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Reproductive system of male and female consist of:

 Reproductive organs called gonads.
 Gonads produce gametes (reproductive cells) and
hormones.
 Hormones production permit the secondary sex
characteristics, such as breast development in women and
beard growth in men.

 Ducts that transport gametes.

 Accessory glands and organs that secrete fluids.

 HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Function:
To ensure survival of species .
To produce gametes (egg and sperm cells).
To transport and sustain gametes.
To nurture the developing offspring.
To produce hormones.

Other systems strive to maintain a state of

homeostasis.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Reproductive cell – sperm

Function:
To produce, maintain and transport sperm and
semen (protective fluid).
 2 - 5 ml semen/ejaculation.
(every 1 ml = 50-130million sperms)

To produce and secrete sex hormones that

responsible to maintain male reproductive
system.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Reproductive organs:
 A pair of testes.
 A network of excretory ducts:
 Epididymis
 Vas deferens/ductus deferens
 Ejaculatory ducts
 Seminal vesicles.
 Prostate glands.
 Bulbourethral glands.
 Urethra.
 Penis.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

TESTES
 Site of sperm production.
 Size: Oval, approx 4.5 cm long
with 10.5-14gm.
 Located outside of abdominal
cavity in a skin structure called
scrotum.
 Its temperature is 2 o lower than
abdominal cavity because sperm
production cannot occur at body
temperature.
 Testes initially develop in
abdominal but during birth, it
descends into the scrotum.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

TESTES
Consists of:
Seminiferous tubules.
Interstitial cells/Leydig cells.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

TESTES
1. Seminiferous tubules.
 Coiled tubes.
 Sites of sperm formation/spermatogenesis.
 FSH receptors are on Sertoli cells.
 FSH influences spermatogenesis.

2. Interstitial cells/Leydig cells.

 Responsible for hormone production.
 Testosterone and other androgen.
 Hair patterns and voice changes.
 Development of the male accessory organs (prostate, seminal vesicles).
 Responsible for muscle development and strength of a male.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

EXCRETORY DUCT
1. Epididymis.
 Maturation site for
sperm.

2. Vas/Ductus Deferens
 Transport mature sperm
to urethra.

3. Ejaculatory Duct
 Empty into urethra.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

SEMINAL VESICLE
 Attach to vas deferens.
 Produce thick, yellowish
and alkaline fluid.
 This fluid contains
fructose, mucus,
coagulating enzyme,
ascorbic acid and
prostaglandin.
 Provide energy to sperm.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PROSTATE GLANDS
Secretes thin, milky
fluid which contains
anti-coagulant
enzyme and citrate
into the urethra
through several
small ducts.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS
 A small gland located
along the urethra below
prostate.
 Before ejaculation, it
secretes mucus to
neutralize acidic urine in
the urethra.
 May also carry some
sperm before ejaculation.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

URETHRA
Tube that carries
urine from the
bladder to outside of
the body
Also carries semen
out of the body.
Meant for both
excretory and sperm
release.
 MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PENIS
 Male copulatory organ.
 Functions to introduce sperm into
female.
 Consists of three erectile bodies
that fill with blood from arteries:
 2 corpora cavernosa.
 1 corpus spongiosum.

 During erection, arteries get

engorge with blood.
 Semen (contains sperm) will be
conveyed through it.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Reproductive cell – ovum/egg cells

Function:
To produce ovum.
To transports ovum to site of fertilization,
fallopian tube.
To provide a place for a baby to develop if
fertilization success. If not, menstruation occur.
To produces sex hormones that maintain
reproductive cycle.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Reproductive organs:
Ovaries
Oviduct (fallopian tube)
Uterus
Vagina
Vulva
Mammary glands is not part of the
reproductive system but very
important for producing milk only in
females
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVARY
 Located in the abdominal
cavity.
 Oval-shaped glands that are
found on both side of the
uterus.
 Produce eggs and hormones.
 Enclosed in tough protective
capsule and contains many
follicle.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVARY-Follicle
 Matured female has 400 000 follicle since birth, but only few
hundred will produce egg during woman’s reproductive years .
 From puberty to menopause, only one follicle will mature and
produce one egg [Ovulation process].
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVARY-Follicle
 Responsible in secreting
estrogen.
 The remaining follicle
tissue grows within ovary
and forms solid mass
called corpus luteum.
 Corpus luteum responsible in
secreting progesterone and
more estrogen.
 If the egg is not fertilized,
corpus luteum
disintegrates and new
follicles mature during the
next cycle.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVIDUCT/FALLOPIAN TUBE
 The initial part of the female duct system.
 Attach to uterus, one on each side,~ 10cm long.
 Site where fertilization generally occurs .
 Ovum is released into the fallopian tube from ovary.
 Funnel-like opening and has numerous of cilia on its wall.
 Propel and wipe the egg down to the uterus (womb ).
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

UTERUS
 Located in the pelvis.
 Consists of thick muscular
organ, expandable tissue.
 The inner lining is called
endometrium which is richly
supplied with blood vessel.
 Functions to receive, retain and
nourish a fertilized ovum.
 Site of implantation and
development.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

UTERUS
3 regions:
Fundus:
 Arches above entry of uterine tubes.
Body:
 Large triangular lumen.
Cervix:
 Most inferior portion.
 Extends down into vagina.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

UTERUS
Uterine wall has three layers:
Perimetrium (broad ligament):
 Peritoneum.
Myometrium:
 Thick layer of smooth muscle.
Endometrium:
 Epithelial layer.
 Undergoes cyclic changes in
response to hormones.
 Endometriosis.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

VAGINA
 Located between urethra
and rectum.
 Functions:
 Receives penis during
intercourse.
 Passage for removal of
menstrual debris.
 Serves as a birth canal.
 Acidic environment
(resident bacteria).
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

VAGINA
 Hymen – a thin piece of tissue partly covers the vaginal
opening in human. It may ruptures during sexual
intercourse or vigorous activity (extreme sports).
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

VULVA
 Include mons pubis, labia,
clitoris and structures
associated with vestibule.
 Vestibule - two openings in
female genitalia:
 Vaginal opening – menstrual
discharge.
 Urethral opening – urine
discharge.
 Vestibule is bordered by pair of
slender skin folds that is labia
majora and labia minora.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

VULVA
 Clitoris :
 Richly supplied with nerves and
composed of erectile tissue.
 It is sensitive to touch and
usually engorge with blood
during arousal.

 Bartholin’s gland/greater
vestibular glands:
 Secrete mucus into vestibule in
order to keep it lubricated and
moistened during sexual
activities.
 SPERMATOGENESIS

 Process of producing male gametes

(sperm/spermatozoa).
 Occur in seminiferous tubules of testes.
 This process begins at puberty.
 3 steps in spermatogenesis:
1. Meiosis I
 Number of chromosomes is reduced to half or 23 chromosomes
each.
2. Meiosis II
 Each haploid cells form spermatid.
3. Spermiogenesis
 Each spermatid develop into sperm cell with a head and tail.
The entire process take about 64 days.
 SPERMATOGENESIS

 At birth, germ cells in the male

infant present in the sex cords of
the testis are surrounded by
supporting cells (Sertoli cells).

 At this time the primordial germ

cell divides/undergo mitosis to
give spermatogonia.

 Each mitotic division results in

two distinctive daughter cells:
 Type A- remains at basement
membrane to maintain germ line
cell.
 Type B cell – pushed toward the
lumen and becomes a primary
spermatocyte.
SPERMATOGENESIS
 SPERMATOGENESIS

Meiosis I completed:
 Give rise into secondary
spermatocytes.

Meiosis II completed:
 Produce spermatids.

Each spermatids, with

correct chromosomal
number undergo
spermiogenesis.
 SPERMATOGENESIS

Spermiogenesis –
sperm elongates,
shed its excess
cytoplasm and form
tails. Resulting
sperm.
 SPERMATOGENESIS

HORMONAL CONTROL
Male sex hormones  androgens and
testosterone.
 Steroid hormones produced mainly by Leydig cells of the
testes, located near seminiferous tubules.
Testosterone and other androgens are directly
responsible for the primary and secondary sex
characteristics of male:
 Primary – associated with reproductive system,
development of sperm and external structure.
 Secondary – features not directly related to the
reproductive system.
 SPERMATOGENESIS

HORMONAL CONTROL
 Hypothalamus release GnRH to regulates FSH and LH
release from the pituitary.
 FSH: acts on Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules, thus
promoting spermatogenesis. Nourish developing sperm.
Support and protect developing spermatogenic.

 LH: stimulates Leydig cells to make testosterone (the most

prevalent androgen), which in turn stimulates sperm
production. Androgen is a hormone that promotes the
development of masculine characteristics.
 Inhibin release when sperm count high. Inhibit secretion of FSH.
 OOGENESIS

 Process of producing female

gametes (egg/ovum).
 Primordial germ cells differentiate
in embryo & develop into
oogonium.
 The oogonium then multiply its
number via mitosis.
 Undergo meiosis but stop at
prophase I, producing primary
oocyte.
 OOGENESIS

 When reach puberty,

hormones will reactivate
the primary oocyte, as the
periodic release of FSH.

 Follicles grow and

complete meiosis I and
begin meiosis II and again
the cycle stop at
metaphase II.
 OOGENESIS

 Matured follicles release

secondary oocyte during
ovulation. Only one oocyte
matured and released
every month.

 Meiosis does not continue

until a sperm penetrate the
oocyte, then only
oogenesis is completed.
Secondary oocyte now is
called “ovum”.
 OOGENESIS

 The remaining follicle left

behind, ruptured and
develops into corpus
luteum.

 If oocyte not fertilized,

corpus luteum will
degenerate.
SPERMATOGENESIS &
OOGENESIS
SPERMATOGENESIS &
OOGENESIS
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

 During reproductive years, non-pregnant females normally exhibit

cyclical changes in the uterus and ovary.
 Ovarian cycle.
 Menstrual/uterine cycle.
 Each cycle ranges from 24-35 days (mostly around 28 days) and
involves both oogenesis and preparation of the uterus to receive
a fertilized ovum.
 Menstrual phase.
 Preovulatory/proliferative phase.
 Ovulation.
 Postovulatory/secretory phase.
 These cycles are controlled by hormones secreted from:
 Hypothalamus [GnRH-Gonadotropin releasing hormone].
 Anterior pituitary [FSH and LH].
 Ovaries [estrogen, progesterone].
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

OVARIAN CYCLE
 The monthly series of events associated with the maturation
of an egg.
 A series of events in ovaries that occur during and after the
maturation of an oocyte.
 Divide to:
 Follicular phase (menstrual and preovulatory phase).
 The period of follicle growth.
 Day 1-14.
 Luteal phase.
 The period of corpus luteum activity.
 Days 14-28.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

OVARIAN CYCLE-FOLLICULAR PHASE

 A phase where follicles growing and oocyte maturing .
 Hypothalamus secrete a large amount of GnRH.
 GnRH stimulates anterior pituitary to secrete LH and FSH.
 FSH stimulates follicle growth, aided by LH.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

OVARIAN CYCLE-FOLLICULAR PHASE

 Growing follicles start to make estrogen.

 Secretion of estrogen increase by the growing follicle.

 LH display a maximum increase as it is important in inducing final
maturation of follicle.

 Matured follicles forming a bulge near ovarian surface. The follicles

and adjacent wall of ovary rupture releasing secondary oocyte 
ovulation.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

OVARIAN CYCLE-LUTEAL PHASE

 The follicular tissue left behind will undergo another luteal
phase.
 High amount of LH stimulate transformation follicular tissue to
corpus luteum.
 Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

OVARIAN CYCLE-LUTEAL PHASE

 As the level of progesterone and
estrogen rise, it inhibits the release
of FSH and LH.
 Near the end of luteal phase,
corpus luteum disintegrates,
causing concentration of estrogen
and progesterone to decline
sharply.
 Dropping level of estrogen and
progesterone, induce the anterior
pituitary to release FSH to
stimulate the growth of new
follicles, initiating the next ovarian
cycle.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

MENSTRUAL/UTERINE CYCLE
 A concurrent series of changes
in the endometrium of the
uterus to prepare for the arrival
of a fertilized ovum that will
develop there until birth.

 A series of cyclic changes that

the uterine endometrium goes
through each month as it
responds to the increase and
decrease of ovarian hormones
in the blood.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

MENSTRUAL/UTERINE CYCLE
 High level of estrogen
secreted by growing follicles
signals the endometrium to
thicken.

 Before ovulation, uterus is

already prepared for a
possible embyo.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

MENSTRUAL/UTERINE CYCLE
 After ovulation, estrogen and
progesterone secreted by corpus
luteum stimulate continued
enhance development of
endometrium.
 Enlargement of arteries and growth of
endometrial glands.
 These glands secrete nutrient fluid
that can sustain an early embryo.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

MENSTRUAL/UTERINE CYCLE
 When corpus luteum disintegrates,
there’s a rapid drop of ovarian
hormones.
 This cause spasm of arteries in the
uterine lining.
 Upper part of endometrium
disintegrates, resulting in
menstruation.
 First day of menstruation designated
as day 1 of the menstrual cycle.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

HORMONAL CONTROL
1. Inhibin.
 Secreted by granulose cells of growing follicles and corpus
luteum after ovulation.
 Inhibit secretion of FSH and lesser LH.

2. Relaxin.
 Produced by corpus luteum during each monthly cycle.
 Relaxes the uterus by inhibiting contractions of the
myometrium.
 Implantation only occur in relax uterus.
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

MENOPAUSE
 After about 450 cycles,
females undergo menopause–
cease of menstruation and
ovulation.

 Occurs at 45–54 years of age.

 Ovaries loose their

responsiveness to
gonadotropins from pituitary
FSH and LH, resulting in
declining of estrogen amount.
THE END