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The Reproductive Systemnotes
The Reproductive Systemnotes
– Testes in males
– Ovaries in females
– Sperm—male gametes
• Reproductive systems
• Testes
• Duct system
– Epididymis
– Urethra
• Accessory organs
TESTES
– Seminal glands (vesicles)
• Each testis is connected to the trunk via
– Prostate the spermatic cord, which houses:
– Bulbourethral glands – Blood vessels
• External genitalia – Nerves
– Penis – Ductus deferens
– Scrotum • Coverings of the testes
– Tunica albuginea—capsule that DUCT SYSTEM
surrounds each testis
• The duct system transports sperm from
– Septa—extensions of the the body and includes:
capsule that extend into the
– Epididymis
testis and divide it into lobules
– Ductus deferens
– Urethra
• Epididymis
– A streamlining process is
needed to strip excess
cytoplasm from a spermatid
and modify it into a sperm
– Luteinizing hormone (L H)
begins activating the interstitial
cells to produce testosterone
• Testosterone
– Most important hormonal
product of the testes
• Deepening of voice
• Enlargement of skeletal
muscles
• Duct system
– Uterus
– Vagina
• External genitalia
OVARIES
• Ovaries
– Produce eggs (ova) and – Ovarian ligaments anchor
hormones (estrogen and ovaries to the uterus medially
progesterone)
– Broad ligaments, a fold of
– Each ovary houses ovarian peritoneum, enclose and hold
follicles consisting of: the ovaries in place
▪ Follicle cells—layers of
different cells that
surround the oocyte
• Ovarian follicles
– Primary follicle—contains an
immature oocyte DUCT SYSTEM
– Vesicular (Graafian) follicle— • Uterine (fallopian) tubes
growing follicle with a maturing
oocyte • Uterus
• Infundibulum • Endometrium
• Hooded by a prepuce
• Composed of sensitive
External Genitalia and Female Perineum erectile tissue
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (F S H)
causes some primary follicles to mature
each month
• Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle • Mature follicles that are not ovulated
will deteriorate
– First meiotic division produces a
larger secondary oocyte and a • Luteinizing hormone (L H)
smaller first polar body
– Triggers ovulation
– A vesicular follicle contains a
secondary oocyte (maturation – Causes the ruptured follicle to
from a primary follicle takes transform into a corpus luteum
about 14 days) • Meiosis differences between males and
• Ovulation of a secondary oocyte occurs females
with the release of luteinizing hormone – Males—produces four
(L H) functional sperm
• Secondary oocyte is released and – Females—produces one
surrounded by a corona radiata functional ovum and three tiny
• Meiosis is completed after ovulation polar bodies
only if sperm penetrates the oocyte • Sex cell size and structure differences
– Ovum is produced between sperm and eggs
– Two additional polar bodies are – Sperm are tiny, motile, and
produced equipped with nutrients in
seminal fluid
• Once ovum is formed, the 23
chromosomes can be combined with
– Egg is large, is nonmotile, and
▪ Widening and
has nutrient reserves to nourish
the embryo until implantation lightening of the pelvis
▪ Helps maintain
pregnancy
• Menstrual phase
• Proliferative stage and menses to begin on
day 28
• Secretory stage
• Endometrium is
repaired, thickens, and
becomes well
vascularized
• Embryo produces a
hormone that causes
the corpus luteum to
continue producing its
hormones
• Corpus luteum
degenerates as L H
blood levels decline
• Lack of ovarian
hormones causes
endometrial cells to die
Mammary Glands
– Lactiferous ducts—connect
alveolar glands to nipple
– Lactiferous sinus—dilated
portion where milk accumulates
Mammography
Accomplishing Fertilization
• Blastocyst
– Trophoblast—large fluid-filled
• Fertilization occurs when the genetic
sphere
material of a sperm combines with that
of an ovum to create a fertilized egg or – Inner cell mass—cluster of cells
zygote to one side
Events of Embryonic & Fetal Development • By day 7 after ovulation, the blastocyst
has attached to the endometrium and
• Zygote
implantation is complete by day 14 after
– First cell of a new individual ovulation
– The zygote is the result of the Figure 16.17 From Fertilization and Cleavage to
fusion of D N A from sperm and Implantation
ovum
• Cleavage
▪ Mesoderm—middle
layer, which gives rise to
everything else
• Placenta
▪ Heartburn is common
because of organ
crowding by the fetus
▪ Constipation is caused
by declining motility of
Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother the digestive tract
▪ Dyspnea (difficult
breathing) occurs
during later stages of
Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother pregnancy
• Physiological changes • Physiological changes
– Gastrointestinal system – Cardiovascular system
baby deeper into the mother’s
▪ Blood volume increases
pelvis
by 25% to 40%
CONCEPT LINK 3
▪ Blood pressure and
Remember the concept of the feedback loop
pulse increase (see Chapter 1, p. 41). A stimulus triggers a
receptor, the information is sent to the brain for
▪ Varicose veins are processing, and a signal is sent to an effector
common with instructions for a response. Most of the
feedback in the body is negative feedback, in
Childbirth (Parturition)
which the response decreases the initial
• Initiation of labor stimulus. Labor, however, involves positive
feedback: The response (stronger contractions)
– Labor—the series of events that
actually increases the initial stimulus (oxytocin
expel the infant from the uterus
release) until the child is born.
▪ Rhythmic, expulsive
contractions
Figure 16.22 Oxytocin Promotes Labor
Contractions During Birth by a Positive
▪ Operates by the
Feedback Mechanism (1 to 7)
positive feedback
mechanism
• Initiation of labor
▪ Oxytocin is released by
the posterior pituitary
– Females
• Menarche—first
menstrual period
(usually occurs about 2
years later)
Developmental Aspects of the Reproductive
System • Menopause—a whole year has passed
without menstruation
• Gender is determined at fertilization
– Ovaries stop functioning as – Only birth control method that
endocrine organs is 100% effective
• Contraception—birth control
• Sterilization techniques
– Vasectomy (males)—cut or
cauterize the ductus deferens
• Barrier methods
– Diaphragms
– Condoms
• Abstinence