THE PROCESS OF REPRODUCTION

PHYSIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE

BIOLOGY
 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

OVULATON – process when a mature ovum is

released from the ovary and travels to the fallopian
tube for possible fertilization.
FERTILIZATION – union of the sperm and the
ovum
PREGNANCY – the process when an offspring
develops within the mother’s womb.
CONCEPTION – is the process that begins with
fertilization of an egg by the sperm and ends with
implantation.
 BIRTH CONTROL

PHYSIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE

BIOLOGY
 BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

• Refers to restricting the number of children by various methods

designed to control fertility and prevent conception
• No single, ideal method of birth control exists
 BIRTH CONTROL METHODS

• The method of preventing pregnancy that is 100% reliable is complete

abstinence, the avoidance of sexual intercourse
 SURGICAL STERILIZATION

• A procedure that renders an individual incapable of further reproduction

• The principal method for sterilization of males is a vasectomy
VASECTOMY
VASECTOMY
 SURGICAL STERILIZATION

• Sterilization in females most often is achieved by performing a tubal

ligation, in which both uterine tubes are tied closed and then cut
 TUBAL LIGATION

• “Clips” or “clamps” can be placed on the uterine tubes, the tubes can be
tied and/or cut, and sometimes they are cauterized
 TUBAL LIGATION

• The secondary oocyte cannot pass through the uterine tubes, and sperm
cannot reach the oocyte
• Reduces the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease in women who are
exposed to STIs
• May also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer
 HORMONAL METHODS

• Oral contraceptives (the pill) contain hormones designed to prevent

pregnancy
• (1) Combined oral contraceptives (COCs), contain both progestin
(hormone with actions similar to progesterone) and estrogens
 COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES (COCS)

• Primary action is to inhibit ovulation by suppressing the gonadotropins

FSH and LH
• The low levels of FSH and LH usually prevent the development of a
dominant follicle in the ovary
 COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES (COCS)

• As a result, levels of estrogens do not rise, the midcycle LH surge does

not occur, and ovulation does not take place
• If ovulation occurs, COCs may also block implantation in the uterus and
inhibit the transport of ova and sperm in the uterine tubes
 PROGESTIN ONLY PILLS

• Thicken cervical mucus

• May block implantation in the uterus
• But do not consistently inhibit ovulation
• Progestins thicken cervical mucus and make it more difficult for sperm
to enter the uterus
PROGESTIN ONLY PILLS
 VARIATIONS OF ORAL HORMONAL METHODS
OF CONTRACEPTION

• (1) Combined pill

• (2) Seasonale®
• (3) Minipill
 COMBINED PILL

• Contains both progestin and estrogens

• Typically taken once a day for three weeks to prevent pregnancy and
regulate the menstrual cycle
 COMBINED PILL

• The pills taken during the fourth week are inactive (do not contain
hormones) and permit menstruation to occur
 SEASONALE®

• Contains both progestin and estrogens

• Taken once a day in 3-month cycles of 12 weeks of hormone-containing
pills followed by one week of inactive pills
• Menstruation occurs during the thirteenth week
 MINIPILL

• Contains progestin only and is taken every day of the month

 CONTRACEPTIVE SKIN PATCH (ORTHO EVRA®)

• Contains both progestin and estrogens

• Delivered in a skin patch placed on the skin (upper outer arm, back,
lower abdomen, or buttocks) once a week for three weeks
 CONTRACEPTIVE SKIN PATCH (ORTHO EVRA®)

• After one week, the patch is removed from one location and then a new
one is placed elsewhere
• During the fourth week no patch is used
VAGINAL CONTRACEPTIVE RING (NUVARING®)

• A flexible doughnut-shaped ring about 5 cm (2 in.) in diameter

• contains estrogens and progesterone and is inserted by the female
herself into the vagina
VAGINAL CONTRACEPTIVE RING (NUVARING®)
VAGINAL CONTRACEPTIVE RING (NUVARING®)

• It is left in the vagina for three weeks to prevent conception and then
removed for one week to permit menstruation
 EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
(MORNING AFTER PILL)

• Consists of progestin and estrogens or progestin alone to prevent

pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse
 EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
(MORNING AFTER PILL)

• The relatively high levels of progestin and estrogens in EC pills provide

inhibition of FSH and LH secretion
 EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
(MORNING AFTER PILL)

• Loss of the stimulating effects of these gonadotropic hormones causes

the ovaries to cease secretion of their own estrogens & progesterone
• In turn, declining levels of estrogens and progesterone induce shedding
of the uterine lining, thereby blocking implantation
 EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
(MORNING AFTER PILL)

• One pill is taken as soon as possible but within 72 hours of unprotected

sexual intercourse
• The second pill must be taken 12 hours after the first
• The pills work in the same way as regular birth control pills
 HORMONE INJECTIONS (DEPO-PROVERA®)

• An injectable progestin given intramuscularly by a health-care

practitioner once every three months
 INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• A small object made of plastic, copper, or stainless steel that is inserted

by a health-care professional into the cavity of the uterus
 INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• IUDs prevent fertilization from taking place by blocking sperm from

entering the uterine tubes
 INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• The IUD most commonly used in the United States today is the Copper
T 380A®
• Approved for up to 10 years of use and has long-term effectiveness
comparable to that of tubal ligation
• Some women cannot use IUDs because of expulsion, bleeding, or
discomfort
 SPERMICIDES

• Various foams, creams, jellies, suppositories, and douches that contain

sperm-killing agents, or spermicides
• Make the vagina and cervix unfavorable for sperm survival and are
available without prescription
 SPERMICIDES

• They are placed in the vagina before sexual intercourse

• The most widely used spermicide is nonoxynol-9, which kills sperm by
disrupting their plasma membranes
• A spermicide is more effective when used with a barrier method such as
a male condom, vaginal pouch, diaphragm, or cervical cap
 BARRIER METHODS

• Barrier methods use a physical barrier and are designed to prevent

sperm from gaining access to the uterine cavity and uterine tubes
• Certain barrier methods (male condom and vaginal pouch) may also
provide some protection against STDs
• Among the barrier methods are the male condom, vaginal pouch,
diaphragm, and cervical cap
 MALE CONDOM

• A nonporous, latex covering placed over the penis that prevents

deposition of sperm in the female reproductive tract
 VAGINAL POUCH

• Sometimes called a female condom

• Designed to prevent sperm from
entering the uterus
 VAGINAL POUCH

• Made of two flexible rings connected by a polyurethane sheath

• One ring lies inside the sheath and is inserted to fit over the cervix
• Other ring remains outside the vagina and covers the female external
genitals
 DIAPHRAGM

• A rubber, dome-shaped structure

• Fits over the cervix and is used in
conjunction with a spermicide
• Can be inserted by the female up to 6 hours
before intercourse
 DIAPHRAGM

• Stops most sperm from passing into the cervix and the spermicide kills
most sperm that do get by
• Decreases the risk of some STDs
• Does not fully protect against HIV infection because the vagina is still
exposed
 CERVICAL CAP

• Resembles a diaphragm but is smaller and more rigid

 CERVICAL CAP

• Fits snugly over the cervix and must be fitted by a health-care

professional
• Spermicides should be used with the cervical cap
 RHYTHM METHOD

• The first physiologically based method, developed in the 1930s

• Involves abstaining from sexual activity on the days that ovulation is
likely to occur in each reproductive cycle
 RHYTHM METHOD

• 3 days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and 3 days after

ovulation, the couple abstains from intercourse
• The effectiveness of the rhythm method for birth control is poor in
many women due to the irregularity of the female reproductive cycle
END OF LESSON
 REFERENCE

• Tortora, G. & Derrickson, B. (2009). Principles of Anatomy and

Physiology (12th Edition). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New Jersey, United
States of America