Female

Reproductive System

Khairun Nisa Berawi

Medical Faculty
University of Lampung
Female Reproductive
Anatomy
▪ Ovaries are the primary female reproductive organs
▪ Make female gametes (ova)
▪ Secrete female sex hormones (estrogen
and progesterone)

▪ Accessory ducts include uterine tubes, uterus, and

vagina

▪ Internal genitalia – ovaries and the internal ducts

▪ External genitalia – external sex organs
Female Reproductive
Anatomy

Figure 27.11
The Ovaries

Figure 27.14a
Ovarian Follicles

▪ Each follicle consists of an immature egg called an

oocyte

▪ Cells around the oocyte are called:

▪ Follicle cells (one cell layer thick)
▪ Granulosa cells (when more than one layer
is present)
Ovarian Follicles

▪ Primordial follicle – one layer of squamouslike

follicle cells surrounds the oocyte

▪ Primary follicle – two or more layers of cuboidal

granulosa cells enclose the oocyte

▪ Secondary follicle – has a fluid-filled space between

granulosa cells that coalesces to form a central
antrum
Ovarian Follicles

▪ Graafian follicle – secondary follicle at its most

mature stage that bulges from the surface of
the ovary

▪ Ovulation – ejection of the oocyte from the ripening

follicle

▪ Corpus luteum – ruptured follicle after ovulation

Ovaries

Figure 27.12
 Oogenesis

• process is similar to spermatogenesis but starts in

early fetal development
• germ cells undergo mitosis to produce oogonia
• oogonia enter meiosis but arrest at
prophase (primary oocytes)
• primary oocytes are surrounded by
follicular cells (primordial follicle)
 Oogenesis

▪ Production of female sex cells by meiosis

▪ In the fetal period, oogonia (2n ovarian stem cells)
multiply by mitosis and store nutrients

▪ Primordial follicles appear as oogonia are transformed

into primary oocytes

▪ Primary oocytes begin meiosis but stall in prophase I

Oogenesis: Puberty

▪ At puberty, one activated primary oocyte produces

two haploid cells
▪ The first polar body
▪ The secondary oocyte
▪ The secondary oocyte arrests in metaphase II and is
ovulated
▪ If penetrated by sperm the second oocyte completes
meiosis II, yielding:
▪ One large ovum (the functional gamete)
▪ A tiny second polar body
 Reproductive Cycle

• purpose is to produce gametes and

prepare the uterus for implantation
• menstrual vs estrous cycle
• on average 28 days in humans
• actually is two cycles
- ovarian cycle
- uterine cycle
 Ovarian Cycle

• follicular phase
- follicular growth of the ovaries
- lasts 10-14 days
• ovulation
- release of egg around day 14

• luteal phase
- transformation of follicle into the
corpus luteum
Events of Oogenesis

Figure 27.19
Ovarian Cycle

▪ Monthly series of events associated with the

maturation of an egg

▪ Follicular phase – period of follicle growth (days 1–

14)

▪ Luteal phase – period of corpus luteum activity

(days 14–28)

▪ Ovulation occurs midcycle

Follicular Phase

▪ The primordial follicle, directed by the oocyte,

becomes a primary follicle

▪ Primary follicle becomes a secondary follicle

▪ The theca folliculi and granulosa cells cooperate
to produce estrogens

▪ The zona pellucida forms around the oocyte

▪ The antrum is formed
Follicular Phase

▪ The secondary follicle becomes a vesicular follicle

▪ The antrum expands and isolates the oocyte and
the corona radiata

▪ The full size follicle (vesicular follicle) bulges

from the external surface of the ovary

▪ The primary oocyte completes meiosis I, and

the stage is set for ovulation
Ovarian Cycle

Figure 27.20
Ovulation

▪ Ovulation occurs when the ovary wall ruptures and

expels the secondary oocyte

▪ Mittelschmerz – a twinge of pain sometimes felt at

ovulation

▪ 1-2% of ovulations release more than one secondary

oocyte, which if fertilized, results in fraternal twins
Luteal Phase

▪ After ovulation, the ruptured follicle collapses,

granulosa cells enlarge, and along with
internal thecal cells, form the corpus luteum

▪ The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and

estrogen
▪ If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum
degenerates in 10 days, leaving a scar (corpus
albicans)

▪ If pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum produces

hormones until the placenta takes over that role (at
about 3 months)
Establishing the Ovarian
Cycle

▪ During childhood, ovaries grow and secrete small

amounts of estrogens that inhibit the hypothalamic
release of GnRH

▪ As puberty nears, GnRH is released; FSH and LH

are released by the pituitary, which act on the
ovaries

▪ These events continue until an adult cyclic pattern is

achieved and menarche occurs
Hormonal Interactions During the Ovarian
Cycle
▪ Day 1 – GnRH stimulates the release of FSH and LH

▪ FSH and LH stimulate follicle growth and maturation,

and low-level estrogen release
▪ Rising estrogen levels:
▪ Inhibit the release of FSH and LH

▪ Prod the pituitary to synthesize and accumulate these

gonadotropins

▪ Estrogen levels increase and high estrogen levels have a

positive feedback effect on the pituitary, causing a
sudden surge of LH
Hormonal Interactions During the Ovarian
Cycle

▪ The LH spike stimulates the primary oocyte to

complete meiosis I, and the secondary oocyte
continues on to metaphase II

▪ Day 14 – LH triggers ovulation

▪ LH transforms the ruptured follicle into a corpus
luteum, which produces inhibin, progesterone, and
estrogen
Hormonal Interactions During the Ovarian
Cycle

▪ These hormones shut off FSH and LH release and

declining LH ends luteal activity

▪ Days 26-28 – decline of the ovarian hormones

▪ Ends the blockade of FSH and LH
▪ The cycle starts anew
Feedback Mechanisms in Ovarian
Function

Figure 27.21
 Uterine Cycle

• menses
- menstrual bleeding

• proliferative phase
- endometrium adds a new layer
of cells (functional
endometrium)
• secretory phase
- corpus luteum hormones
enhance endometrium secretions
 Coordination of Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

ovarian cycle

follicular ovul luteal

uterine cycle

menses proliferative secretory

0 14 28
Female Reproductive Hormones

• pituitary hormones
- FSH
- LH
• ovarian hormones
- estrogens
- progesterone
- inhibin
Hormones of the female reproductive
cycle

▪ Control the reproductive cycle

▪ Coordinate the ovarian and uterine cycles
Hormones of the female reproductive cycle

▪ Key hormones include:

▪ FSH
▪ Stimulates follicular development
▪ LH
▪ Maintains structure and secretory function
of corpus luteum
▪ Estrogens
▪ Have multiple functions
▪ Progesterones
▪ Stimulate endometrial growth and secretion
The Hormonal Regulation of Ovarian
Cycle

Figure 28.25
 Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
•FSH stimulates follicular cells to transform
into granulosa cells

• convert androgens to
 Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

• LH also supports follicular

development

• stimulates thecal cells to synthesize

androgens
 Hormonal Control of the Uterine Cycle

• the functional layer of the endometrium has

receptors for ovarian hormones
• estrogens stimulate growth during proliferative
phase
• progesterone stimulates growth during secretory
phase
• without implantation corpus luteum stops
producing hormones
Figure 28.26 The Hormonal Regulation of
the Female Reproductive Cycle

Figure 28.26a-c
Uterine (Menstrual)
Cycle
▪ Series of cyclic changes that the uterine
endometrium goes through each month in response
to ovarian hormones in the blood

▪ Days 1-5: Menstrual phase – uterus sheds all but

the deepest part of the endometrium

▪ Days 6-14: Proliferative (preovulatory) phase –

endometrium rebuilds itself

▪ Days 15-28: Secretory (postovulatory)

phase – endometrium prepares for
implantation of the embryo
Uterine cycle

▪ Repeating series of changes in the endometrium

▪ Continues from menarche to menopause
▪ Menses
▪ Degeneration of the endometrium
▪ Menstruation
▪ Proliferative phase
▪ Restoration of the endometrium
▪ Secretory phase
▪ Endometrial glands enlarge and accelerate
their rates of secretion
The Uterine Cycle

Figure 28.20
Menses

▪ If fertilization does not occur, progesterone levels

fall, depriving the endometrium of hormonal support

▪ Spiral arteries kink and go into spasms and

endometrial cells begin to die

▪ The functional layer begins to digest itself

▪ Spiral arteries constrict one final time then suddenly
relax and open wide

▪ The rush of blood fragments weakened capillary

beds and the functional layer sloughs
Figure 27.22c, d
Menstrual Cycle:
Egg Maturation, and Endometrial
Growth

▪ Follicular phase
▪ Egg matures
▪ Ovulation
▪ Egg released
▪ Luteal phase
▪ Corpus luteum
▪ Endometrium
▪ Prep for blastocyst
▪ No Pregnancy
Figure 26-13: The menstrual cycle
Hormone Regulation during Menstrual
Cycle

28-46
Endocrine Control of Menstrual
Cycle: Follicular Phase

▪ FSH stimulates follicular development

▪ Estrogen: + feedback, limits more follicles
Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle:
Ovulation

▪ ↑ Estrogen → LH "surge" & FSH spike → egg

release

▪ Inhibin↑ pushes FSH down , ↓ new follicle

development
Endocrine Control of Menstrual
Cycle: Follicular Phase and Ovulation

Figure 26-14a,b: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle:
Luteal phase

▪ Granulosa cells form corpus luteum → progesterone

▪ ↑ progesterone & estrogen maintain endometrium
▪ Inhibin continues to limit new follicular
development
Endocrine Control of Menstrual
Cycle: Late Luteal phase

▪ Pregnancy: maintain ↑ progesterone, estrogen &

inhibin
▪ No pregnancy: ↓ progesterone, estrogen & inhibin
▪ Menses, ↑ FSH & LH → new follicle development
Endocrine Control of Menstrual
Cycle: Luteal phase and Late Luteal
phase

Figure 26-14c, d: Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle

Gonadotropins, Hormones, and the Ovarian
and Uterine Cycles

Figure 27.22a, b
 Estrogens

• estradiol, estrone, estriol

• main site of production = ovaries but can

also be produced in other tissues such as
adipose

• bound to sex steroid binding globulin

(SSBG)
 Reproductive Effects of Estrogens

• growth/maturation of ovarian follicles

• increased motility of fallopian tubes
• endometrium growth
• thinning/alkalinization of cervical
mucus
• stimulates uterine muscles
• increased uterine sensitivity to oxytocin
• breast development, fat deposition
 Progesterone

• in non-pregnant women primarily secreted

by the corpus luteum

• effects are:
- progestational changes
in the endometrium
- decreased uterine motility
- thickens cervical mucus
 Extrauterine Effects of Estrogens
and Progesterone
▪ Estrogen levels rise during puberty
▪ Promote oogenesis and follicle growth in the ovary
▪ Exert anabolic effects on the female reproductive
tract
▪ Uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina grow larger and
become functional
▪ Uterine tubes and uterus exhibit enhanced
motility
▪ Vaginal mucosa thickens and external genitalia
Female Secondary Sex Characteristics

• primarily due to lack of

testosterone

• narrow shoulders, broad hips

• high pitched voice

• less body hair

 Estrogen-Induced Secondary
Sex Characteristics

▪ Growth of the breasts

▪ Increased deposition of subcutaneous fat, especially
in the hips and breasts

▪ Widening and lightening of the pelvis

▪ Growth of axillary and pubic hair
Development Aspects:
Puberty
▪ Reproductive organs grow to adult size and become
functional

▪ Secondary sex characteristics appear

▪ Characteristics of puberty
▪ Males – enlargement of the testes and scrotum,
appearance of axillary and facial hair, and
growth of the penis

▪ Females – enlarging of the breasts, menarche,

and dependable ovulation
Sexual Intercourse: Male sexual function
▪ Arousal
▪ Leads to erection of the penis
▪ Parasympathetic outflow over the pelvic
nerves
▪ Emission and ejaculation
▪ Occur under sympathetic stimulation
▪ Results in semen being pushed toward
external urethral opening
▪ Detumescence
▪ Subsidence of erection
Sexual Intercourse: Female sexual
function

▪ Stages are comparable to those of male sexual

function
▪ Arousal causes clitoral erection

▪ Vaginal surfaces are moistened

▪ Parasympathetic stimulation causes engorgement of
blood vessels in the nipples
Menopause

▪ The time that ovulation and menstruation cease

entirely
▪ Typically around age 45-55

▪ Accompanied by a decline in circulating estrogen

and progesterone
▪ Rise in GnRH, FSH, LH
Menopause

▪ Without sufficient estrogen, reproductive organs and

breasts atrophy
▪ Irritability and depression result
▪ Skin blood vessels undergo intense
vasodilation (hot flashes occur)

▪ Gradual thinning of the skin and bone loss

▪ Males have no equivalent to menopause

Thank
You