SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN

ANIMALS

OBJ 2.1 Sexual reproduction in humans: describe the structure and function of the male
and female reproductive system.

THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

J 2009 QN 6A

• The OVARIES contain around 400 000 ova at birth which mature one at a time and is released
from alternative ovaries each month after puberty. The ovum passes into the funnel shaped
opening of the FALLOPIAN TUBE.

• The OVUDUCT is a thin muscular tube lined with cilia which helps move the ovum into the
uterus. The oviduct received the ovum upon OVULATION.
 • The FALLOPIAN TUBES are narrow and are attached to upper parts of uterus.

• The UTERUS is a pear-shaped organ with thick muscular walls and is the site of development of
the embryo. The inner lining of the uterus consists of soft mucus membrane called the
ENDOMETRIUM.

• The uterus opens through a ring of muscle called the CERVIX which leads into the muscular tube
lined with epithelium cells called the VAGINA. The vagina is the canal that joins the cervix to the
outside of the body also known as the birth canal.

• The uterus is divided into two parts:

The lower part has the cervix which opens into the vagina and the upper part is called the
CORPUS which has a soft muscular inner-mucus membrane called the ENDOMETRIUM. The
outer thicker, muscular MYOMETRIUM.

• The CERVIX is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the
vagina. It consists of a ring of muscle which dilates to approximately 10cm to allow childbirth.

NOTE: The primary sex organ is the OVARY (female gamete)

There are two function:
- Production of female gamete
- Secretion of sex hormones

THE MALE REPRODUCTION SYSTEM (LONGTITUDINAL SECTION)

 • Sperms are produced in the TESTIS which are suspended by a SPERMATIC CORD which
comprises of the VAS DEFERENS OR SPERM DUCT, an artery, vein, and nerves all bound
together by connective tissue.

• The testis contains over 1 km of tiny tubes called SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, the walls of which
divide to produce cells which matures into sperms. These tubules combine until finally they
merge into a metre-long tube called the EPIDIDYMIS which stores sperms.

• The epididymis leads into another muscular tube called the VAS DEFERENS which carries sperm
into the urethra and hence to the outside of the body through the penis.

• Secretions from the SEMINAL VESICLES, COWPER’S GLAND and PROSTATE GLAND are added to
the sperm to provide nutrients, fluidity, temperature, and an optimum pH. The resulting fluid is
called SEMEN.

STRUCTURE OF THE TESTIS

 • The testis are male gonads.
• They are oval shaped structures and are the organ that produce the male gamete called SPERM.
• The testis produces the male sex hormone TESTOSTERONE.
• Withing the testis are numerous tubules which are extensively called the SEMINIFEROUS
TUBULES which are extensively coiled. This is to increase the surface area for sperm production.
• The tubules themselves are embedded in the connective tissue which produces the male sex
hormone.
• Within the testis there are several compartments called TESTICULAR LOBULES within which
seminiferous tubules are found.
• Surrounding the testis is the SCROTAL SAC which is a fold of skin which helps the temperature
within the testis at about 2-3 ̊C cooler than the body temperature.

OBJ 2.2 Explain gametogenesis and the role of hormones in the process.

- The differences between secondary oocyte and ovum

- Include oogenesis and spermatogenesis

(making of gametes)
 SPERMATOGENESIS OOGENSIS

- Making of sperm - Making of ova (eggs)

RECALL: 23 23 46

HAPLOID NO. OF
ZYGOTE – DIPLOID NO.
HAPLOID(DIAGRAM)
SPERMATOGENESIS NO. OF
CHROMOSOMES CHROMOSOMES OF CHROMOSOMES

• SPERMATOGENESIS is the process by which sperms are produced in the testis.

• Certain cells within the testis called SPERMATOGONIA are divided by mitosis to produce many
potential gametes called PRIMARY SPERMATOCYTES. The primary spermatocyte undergoes
meiosis to produce haploid sperms.
 • Spermatogenesis is stimulated by FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH).
• The seminiferous tubule is part of the testis and is involved in spermatogenesis.
• These cells of the seminiferous tubules are diploid (2n), but since sperms are haploid (n),
MEIOSIS must occur at some point.
• This process involves a series of stages which are:
1. A phase of multiplication in which many cells are produced.
2. A phase of growth followed by meiosis.
3. A phase of maturation during which the products of meiosis are differentiated into
SPERMATIDS.

STRUCTURE OF THE OVARY BS1 PF 731 FIG 2.14

• The ovary is the size of an almond.

• It consists of an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
• It is surrounded by a dense fibrous layer called the TUNICA ALBUGENAE.
• The outer layer of the cortex contains germinal epithelium from which gametes are produced.
 • The cortex contains developing follicles.
• The medulla contains stroma which processes blood vessels, connective tissue, and mature
follicle.

OOGENESIS(DIAGRAM)
 • This is the production of the female gamete by the ovary. Certain cells, oogonia, within the
ovary divide by mitosis to produce large numbers of potential gametes called PRIMARY
OOCYTES.
• The primary oocyte undergoes meiosis to produce a SECONDARY OOCYTE and then and OVUM
or EGG. Oogenesis is stimulated by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
• The release of the secondary oocyte into the fallopian tube is called OVULATION. This process of
oogenesis is part of the MENSTRUAL CYCLE. This process is under control of the hormones
released from the pituitary gland and ovary.

STRUCURE OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN RELATION TO FUNCTION

• FALLOPIAN TUBE
- It is a muscular tube approximately 12 cm long.
- It transports the gametes from the ovary to the uterus.
- It is lined with the cilia to move ovum along its path.
- Upon ovulation the opening of the fallopian tube moves closer to the ovary.
- The opening of the fallopian tube expands forming projections in a funnel shape.

• UTERUS
- It is a thick-walled organ about 7.5 cm long and 5 cm wide.
- It is made up of three layers: (i)an outer layer, (ii) a middle layer called the MYOMETRIUM which
consists of smooth muscles sensitive to oxytocin. The myometrium forms the bulk of the uterine
wall. (iii) The third layer is an INNER ENDOMETRIUM which is soft and smooth, consisting of
epithelial cells, simple tubular glands, and spiral arterioles.
 - The uterus organ is where the EMBRO develops and is the site of IMPLANTATION. It is also
known as the womb and is connected to the oviduct above and the vagina below.
- The inner lining of the uterus called the ENDOMETRIUM shows the cyclical changes associated
with the egg production during the menstrual cycle.
- During pregnancy, it helps nourish the embryo before the placenta forms.
- The outer walls of the uterus are thick and muscular, and its contractions are responsible for the
process of birth.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECONDARY OOCYTE IN THE OVARY

1. The oocyte develops within the follicle of the ovary and at maturity, it is called the GRAAFIAN
FOLLICLE. The graafian follicle increases in size with the accumulation of fluids within it.
2. It reaches the size of approximately 1 cm in diameter as it bulges from the ovary wall.
3. The fluids form at a fast rate, faster than that which the follicle can grow, causing the follicle to
rapture releasing the secondary oocyte.
4. The secondary oocyte is surrounded by a cellular layer called the ZONA PELLUCIDA, as well as
columnar cells called CORONA RADIATA.

THE STRUCTURE OF SPERM RELATED TO FUNCTION

• FERTILIZATION in humans is internal. The site of fertilization being the FALLOPIAN TUBE OR
OVIDUCT. Sperms must therefore pass through the female reproductive system in order to get
to the egg.
• Features which facilitate this are:
- The presence of a tail for swimming.
 - Numerous MITOCHINDRIA in the middle piece associated with the energy production to
facilitate movement.
• Sperms are motile structures whose function is to contribute to the haploid number of
chromosomes to the female gamete to form the ZYGOTE.
• STRUCTURE: Within the HEAD is a large nucleus which carries the haploid number of
chromosomes. In order for the sperm to gain energy into the egg, it must first digest the jelly
layer surrounding the egg. The ACROSOME contains proteases and hyaluronidase enzymes
which digest these layers.

STRUCTURE OF THE SPERM