REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

- Allow the production and maturation of

gametes (sex cells)

- Give signals for the synthesis and

secretion of substances needed for the
vital body functions

- Provide ducts for the delivery of

gametes
WHAT MAKES YOU
MALE OR FEMALE?

“CHROMOSOMES”
“But did you know that
we all started as
females?”
Sex
determined by 2 sex chromosomes

Female: XX Male: XY
 Chromosomes provides the
information for:
• primary sex organs
• secondary sex organs
• secondary sex
characteristics
The primary sex organs (gonads) are those
that produce gametes (sperm and eggs)

Male: testes Female: ovaries

 secondary sex organs
- essential to reproduction,

Male: Female:
ducts, glands, penis uterine tubes, uterus, vagina
SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS

Features not essential for

reproduction but attract the
sexes to each other.
 Secondary Characteristics of Usual Age
Males Range
Enlargement of Testicles 10-13
Darkening of Scrotum
Growth of Pubic Hair 10-15
Height & Weight increases 10-16
Full Growth of Penis 11-15
Deepening of Voice 11-15
Capable of Fertility: Ejaculation of 11-17
Semen
Growth of Arm and Facial Hair 12-17
Glands and Scalp produces more oil 12-17
causing blemishes
Secondary Characteristics of Usual Age
Females Range
Enlargement of Breast 7-13
Growth of Pubic Hair 8-14
Full Growth of Vagina and its 8-15
external parts are more pronounced
Height & Weight increases 9-14
Menstruation Begins 9-16
Capable of Fertility: Ejaculation of 11-17
Semen
Growth of Arm and Facial Hair 11-16
Glands and Scalp produces more oil
causing blemishes
 MALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 ANATOMY DIAGRAM for Poster or Transparency, for ACTIVITY 2.2

Male
Male Inside
Inside

6 Make
Make
Fluid for
Holds Urine Fluid for
Holds Urine Semen
Semen

7 5
Urine & Semen
Urine & Semen
Leave Body
4
Leave Body

3
Pathway for
Pathway for
Sperm
Sperm

Sperm Mature,

2
Sperm Mature,
Travel Through
Travel Through

Produce Sperm &

Produce Sperm &

1 Male Hormones
Male Hormones

Copyright © 2006-2008 by Janet P. Realini, M.D., M.P.H.

 ANATOMY DIAGRAM for Poster or Transparency, for ACTIVITY 2.2

Male
Male Inside
Inside
Bladder
Make
Make
Fluid for
Holds Urine Fluid for
Holds Urine Semen
Semen

Seminal
Urethra Vesicle

Prostate Gland
Urine & Semen
Urine & Semen
Leave Body
Leave Body
Pathway for
Pathway for
Vas Deferens Sperm
Sperm

Sperm Mature,
Sperm Mature,
Epididymis Travel Through
Travel Through

Produce Sperm &

Produce Sperm &
Testicle Male Hormones
Male Hormones

Copyright © 2006-2008 by Janet P. Realini, M.D., M.P.H.

Male Reproductive
System
 Male Reproductive System

 Produce sex hormones

 Androgen (Testosterone)

 Produce sperms (spermatozoa)

 Transfers male gametes to the female’s

body
 Male Reproductive System
Major Parts:
 Testes
 Scrotum
 Epididymis
 Vas Deferens
 Prostate Gland
 Bulbourethral Gland
 Urethra
 Penis
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Side view Front view

Testes
Testes

- produce sperm cells in

seminiferous tubule
- secrete testosterone
TESTIS
 sperm

testosterone
Scrotum

- protect testes

- maintain the temperature of the

testes 2 degrees lower than
body temperature.
SCROTUM
Epididymis
Epididymis pl. Epididymides
- the storage site of sperm cells

- It absorbs about 90% of the fluid

secreted by the testis

- Sperm remain stored here for 40-

60 days and are absorbed if not
ejaculated prior to that time.
EPIDIDYMIS
Vas (Ductus) deferens
pl. vasa deferentia

- Transports mature sperm

cells to the urethra

- A narrow tube which runs

into the lower abdomen and
loops back around down the
penis
VAS
DEFERENS
Accessory glands
a. Seminal These glands
produce nourishing
Vesicles fluids for the sperms
that enter the
b. Prostate Gland
urethra.
c. Bulbourethral
Glands
(Cowper’s
Gland)
Seminal Vesicle
- A sac-shaped gland located on
the side of the bladder
- Provides energy to the sperm
by producing a sticky
yellowish fluid that contains
fructose (sugar)
SEMINAL
VESICLE
Seminal Vesicles

The Seminal Vesicles

are sac-like structures
attached to the vas
deferens at one side
of the bladder.
Bulbourethral Gland

- Pea-sized gland at the

base of the penis
- Lubricates and
neutralizes the acidity
of the urethra
BULBOURETHRAL
GLAND
Prostate Gland

- Located below the

urinary bladder
- Nourishes the sperm
cells and adds fluid to
the semen
Prostate Gland
The Prostate Gland
surrounds the ejaculatory
ducts at the base of the
urethra, just below the
bladder.

The Prostate Gland is

responsible for making
the production of semen,
a liquid mixture of sperm
cells, prostate fluid and
seminal fluid.
PROSTATE
GLAND
Urinary Bladder

- Stores urine
Urethra

- Tube like structure

emerging from the urinary
bladder down through the
penis
- Stores urine and expels
semen
 Urinary
Bladder

Urethra
Penis
- Composed of spongy
erectile tissue
- Organ for sexual
intercourse; transfers
sperm cell to the
female’s body
Penis
The penis is the
organ by which the
sperm is introduced
into the female.

It contains spongy
tissue that becomes
turgid and erect
when filled with
blood.
Semen (seminal fluid )

The fluid expelled

during orgasm
Mixture of
secretion from
epididymis,
seminal vesicle,
prostate, and
bulbourethral
gland.
Male Sexual Response
1) Erection of the penis, allowing it to
penetrate the female vagina

2) Ejaculation, expelling semen into the

vagina.
EJACULATION

During orgasm (peak of sexual

interaction), the semen is forcefully
expelled from the body by strong
muscular contractions of sperm
ducts.
EJACULATION
 “CAN EJACULATION
HAPPEN WITHOUT
SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE?”
A: YES,
THROUGH MASTURBATION
REVIEW:
The pathway of the sperm in the male
reproductive system are the following:
(arrange in chronological order)

Testes Epididymis

Urethra Vas Deferens

Sperm Formation
 Meiosis (cell division in sex cells)forms sperm
in gametes

 Sperm forms in testes

 Scrotum keeps cooler than rest

 Semen is sperm plus protecting fluid

 Semen leaves testes through the vas

deferens (sperm ducts) to the urethra before
it exits.
SPERM
 Function:
 To move and carry genetic
information to the egg.
 Structure:
 Head: The large head
region of the sperm that
contains DNA.
 Midpiece: The narrow
middle part of the cell that
contains mitochondria.
 Tail: The wavelike motion
of the flagellum propels the
sperm forward.
Female Reproductive
System
 ANATOMY DIAGRAM for Poster or Transparency, for ACTIVITY 2.2

Female
Female Inside
Inside
Produce
Produce
Eggs &
Eggs &
Female
Female
Hormones
Hormones

2
1
Pathway for Egg;
Pathway for Egg;
Fertilization
Fertilization
3
Occurs Here
Occurs Here
Fetus Grows
Fetus Grows
Inside
Inside

4
Dilates in Labor;
5
Dilates in Labor;
Where Pap Smear
Where Pap Smear
is Done Allows for Birth,
is Done Allows for Birth,
Menstrual Flow &
Menstrual Flow &
Sexual Intercourse
Sexual Intercourse

Copyright © 2006, 2007 by Janet P. Realini, M.D., M.P.H.

 ANATOMY DIAGRAM for Poster or Transparency, for ACTIVITY 2.2

Female
Female Inside
Inside
Produce
Produce
Eggs &
Eggs &
Female
Female
Hormones
Hormones

Fallopian Tube
Ovary

Pathway for Egg; Uterus

Pathway for Egg;
Fertilization
Fertilization
Occurs Here
Occurs Here
Fetus Grows
Fetus Grows
Inside
Inside

Cervix

Vagina
Dilates in Labor;
Dilates in Labor;
Where Pap Smear
Where Pap Smear
is Done Allows for Birth,
is Done Allows for Birth,
Menstrual Flow &
Menstrual Flow &
Sexual Intercourse
Sexual Intercourse

Copyright © 2006, 2007 by Janet P. Realini, M.D., M.P.H.

 Female Reproductive System

 Produce sex hormones

 Estrogen, Progesterone

 Produce egg (ova)

 Support & protect developing embryo

 Give birth to new baby

Ovum Formation
 Meiosis forms the eggs (ova)

 Eggs are formed before birth

 1 egg per month is matured and released

from ovaries, most of the time

 Eggs travel through the fallopian tube

where they may become fertilized

Mrs. Degl
Major Organs

 Vagina
 Cervix
 Uterus
 Uterine tubes
[fallopian tubes]
 Ovaries [gonads]
 Ovaries
 Also known as female
gonads

 They produce eggs (also

called ova) every female is
born with a lifetime supply of
eggs

 They also produce

hormones:
Estrogen & Progesterone
The Cervix
The lower portion or
neck of the uterus.
The cervix is lined with
mucus, known as
cervical mucus (Cervical
mucus provides
lubrication & sperm
transport during sexual
intercourse)
The Cervix
At the end of pregnancy

The cervix acts as

the passage of the
baby during delivery
expanding to roughly
50 times its normal
width during birth
Fallopian tubes [uterine tubes]
 Site of fertilization (union of sperm and
egg cell)

 Stretch from
the uterus to the ovaries
and measure about 8 to 13 cm in length.

 The ends of the fallopian tubes lying next

to the ovaries feather into ends called
fimbria
Fimbria
 The Uterine Tubes (oviduct)

1 day vs 3 days
 Thecilia (hair-like
projections)beat in
waves hundreds of
times a second
catching the egg at
ovulation and
moving it through
the tube to the
uterine cavity.
The cilia beat toward the uterus.
Uterus
 Pear-shaped muscular
organ in the female
reproductive tract.
 The uterus expands
considerably during
the reproductive
process.
 The organ grows to
from 10 to 20 times its
normal size during
pregnancy.
Uterus
 The main body
consists of:
 A firm outer
coat of muscle
(myometrium)
 An inner lining
of vascular,
glandular
material
(endometrium).
Uterus

 The endometrium thickens during the

menstrual cycle to allow implantation
of a fertilized egg.

 Pregnancy occurs when the

fertilized egg implants
successfully into the endometrial
lining.
Endometrium
 The endometrium is central, echogenic (detectable using
ultrasound scanners), and has an average thickness of 6.7
mm.
 During pregnancy, the blood vessels in the endometrium
further increase in size and number, forming the placenta,
 Placenta supplies oxygen and nutrition to the embryo &
fetus.
 The Uterus
• harbors the embryo
• provides nutrients
• expels the fetus at the end of its development
The Vagina
A muscular, ridged
sheath connecting
the external genitals
to the uterus.
 Receives the sperm
cell during sexual
intercourse and
passageway of the
baby during delivery.
 External Genitalia
 Vulva—which runs from the pubic area downward to
the rectum.
 Labia majora or "greater fold" are the part around
the vagina containing two glands (Bartholin’s glands)
which helps lubrication during intercourse.
 External Genitalia
 Labia minora or "lesser fold" are the thin hairless
ridges at the entrance of the vagina, which joins
behind and in front. In front they split to enclose the
clitoris
 The clitoris is a small pea-shaped structure. It plays
an important part in sexual excitement in females.
 External Genitalia
 Labia minora or "lesser fold" are the thin hairless
ridges at the entrance of the vagina, which joins
behind and in front. In front they split to enclose the
clitoris
 The clitoris is a small pea-shaped structure. It plays
an important part in sexual excitement in females.
 External Genitalia
 The urethral orifice or external urinary opening is
below the clitoris on the upper wall of the vagina and
is the passage for urine.
 External Genitalia
 The hymen is a thin crescentic fold of tissue which
partially covers the opening of the vagina. medically
it is no longer considered to be a 100% proof of
female virginity.
External Genitalia
 “How does the
union of gametes
happen?”
Fertilization
 Occurs in upper 1/3 of Fallopian tube

 Only 1 sperm can fertilize an egg.

 Fertilized egg = zygote

 An average woman is pregnant (gestational

period) for 9 whole months. That is 40 weeks.
Babies can survive if they are born earlier, but
they may have complications due to being
premature.
Implantation
 Fertilized eggs are implanted into thick walls of
uterus

 Membranes dig into uterus to form placenta

 Zygote grows into an embryo

 Embryo gets air and nutrients through the umbilical

cord

 Mom’s uterus grows with the baby

Mrs. Degl
After fertilization,
What happens
next?
Pregnancy (Gestation)
 HOMEWORK
Paste a picture of the
different stages of
pregnancy and fetal
development on your
lecture notebook. This will
be recorded as your
homework # ____.
1st Trimester = 1st- 12 weeks
Heart develops first
Neural tube develops
All body systems
appear by Week 8 –
Now a Fetus
2nd Trimester = up to 24 weeks

Most growth
Different parts become
evident
Baby’s sex organs are
prominent/identified
3rd Trimester= Up to 40 weeks
 More growth
 Kicking, rolling,
stretching
 Eyes open – Week
32
 Lungs mature
 Rotates to head-
down
position, unless baby
is breech
Birth
 Labor
 Uterine contractions begin
 Cervix dilates to 10 cm.
 Birth
 Uterus pushes baby through vaginal
canal
 Placenta delivered after baby
 Cesarean Section (c-section) is a
surgery that cuts through the uterus to
deliver the baby if it cannot be born
vaginally
“What if fertilization
did not take place?”

A: MENSTRUATION
Female Sexual Cycle
Managing change
Hormones are chemicals that act like messengers.
They are secreted by glands and carried in the blood
from organ to organ.

hormone

ovary

Cells in different parts of the

body recognize the
hormones and respond by
making changes.
 Inside the ovary
What happens in the ovary Day 15-28:
during the menstrual cycle? empty follicle
turns into
corpus luteum
(yellow body)

immatu
re eggs

Day 1-13:
egg Day 14:
developing ovulation – egg
inside the released from
growing follicle
follicle
 Uterus lining
The lining of the uterus becomes thicker with blood
vessels and more stable during the menstrual cycle.
Why is this important?

period
uterus lining
thickness

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
days after start of period
A fertilized egg will bury itself (implant) in the uterus
lining. The egg needs a plentiful supply of oxygen and
nutrients to develop.
Menopause
- the cessation of menstruation (45-55 yr)
fewer remaining
follicles and - menopause
less responsive to and life span
gonadotropins

less estrogen and
progesterone

the uterus, vagina,
and breasts atrophy
HORMONES ASSOCIATED
WITH THE MALE &
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
 HORMONES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

GnRH- Gonadotrophine
releasing Hormone (Triggers)
FSH- Follicle Releasing
Hormone (Promotes)
LH- Luteinizing Hormone
(Produce)
 HORMONES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE HORMONE TARGET REACTION
GLAND TISSUE
HYPOTHALAMUS GnRH Anterior Produce LH and
Pituitary FSH
Gland
TESTES Testosterone Most Tissues Sperm cell
production and
activates
reproductive
organs and sex
characteristics
ANTERIOR LH Testes Produce
PITUITARY testosterone
GLAND FSH Seminiferous Sperm Production
Tubules
(Testes)
 HORMONES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE HORMONE TARGET REACTION
GLAND TISSUE
HYPOTHALAMUS GnRH Anterior Produce LH and
Pituitary FSH
Gland
POSTERIOR Oxytocin Uterus and Uterine Contraction
PITUITARY Mammary & Milk Production
GLAND Gland
ANTERIOR LH & Ovaries Produce Estrogen
PITUITARY FSH & Progesterone;
GLAND Egg Cell Production
OVARIES Progesterone Most Tissues Pregnancy(Prepare
& Estrogen Uterus & Mammary
Gland)
Menstrual Cycle,
Reproductive
Organs, Sex
FEEDBACK MECHANISM
 A change in the chemical secreted by a
gland which can make the targeted organ
increase or decrease the production of
hormones released.
 Has two types:
1. Positive Feedback – increases the
output/hormones
2. Negative Feedback- decreases/regulates
the output/hormones
 GnRH

Anterior Pituitary Gland

FSH LH

Seminiferous Interstitial

Sperm Cell Testosterone Testosterone

 GnRH

Anterior Pituitary Gland

FSH LH

Ovaries Corpus

Mature egg Progesterone

Estrogen
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

 What are the different organs of the

male and female reproductive system?

 How does each organ function?

 What are the endocrine glands that

regulate the hormones among the
males and females?
Something to Ponder upon…

“The LIFE you

can make, is a
LIFE you can
break.”
REMINDER:
Prepare for Quiz #3:
Nervous, Endocrine, and
Reproductive System
next meeting.