The

Reproductive System
MAIN FUNCTION:

• Reproduction – process by w/c

Life is sustained from
One generation to
The next
 The GONADS (the
ovaries & testes) form the
GAMETES (sex cells)
THE MALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Primary Functions:
 Production of male
hormones
 Formation of sperm cells
(spermatozoa)
 Placement of sperm cells in
the female reproductive
tract.
Urinary Bladder
Symphysis pubis
AG
Vas deferens AD

Urethra
Corpus cavernosa AG

Corpus
spongiosum
Penis AD
Glans penis
Scrotum
 TESTES - or “testicles” are the male
gonads, or sex glands. Protected and
supported by a capsule of fibrous
connective tisue.
--- internal subdivisions (lobules) contains
highly coiled “seminiferous tubules”
--- Spermatogenic cells divide to produce
sperm; Supporting cells support & nourish
the spermatogenic cells
•SPERMATOGENESIS
– the process that
produces sperm cells by
the division of the
spermatogenic cells in
the germinal
epithelium.
Spermatogonia – large,
outermost cells of a
seminiferous tubules.
..spermatogenesis

 Follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH) and
Luteneizing hormone
(LH) control the sexual
maturity and sperm
production.
 LH are also called as
Interstitial cell-
stimulating hormone
(ISCH) in males.
 Diagram ng spermatogenesis

SPERMATOGENESIS
SPERM CELL
Diagram ng sperm cells with parts

Nucleus
Acrosome
ACCESORY DUCTS

 Epididymis – a comma-shaped organ that lies

along the superior and posterior margins of a testis.
Site of sperm maturation.
 Vas deferens – or the ductus deferens extends
from each epididymis upward over the top of the
bladder, then down its back side. About 40-45 cms
in length.
 Ejaculatory duct – is formed by the merger of a
vas deferens & a duct from a seminal vesicle.
 Urethra – transports urine & carries semen
ACCESORY GLANDS

 Seminal Vesicles – are paired glands. Its

alkaline secretions contain fructose, w/c serves as
an energy source for sperm cells.
 Prostate glands – a doughnut-shaped gland
that encircles the urethra. Secrete Alkaline,
somewhat milky fluid
 Bulbourethral gland – are two small,
spherical gland near the base of the penis.
Secrete alkaline,mucuslike fluid in response to
sexual stimulation.
 SEMEN – the fluid passed from the
urethra during ejaculation. It’s volume may
vary from 3-6 ml, with 50-150 million sperm
per milliliter.
 SCROTUM – the external sac of skin and
subcutaneous tissue that contains the testes.
 PENIS – male copulatory organ that
deposits semen in the female vagina during
sexual intercourse. Contains erectile tissues.
 TESTOSTERONE – the primary male
hormone.
Action of Testosterone
•Androgens- male hormones.
--at puberty, testosterone stimulates the
maturation of the male reproductive
organ. The continuation of the
spermatogenesis and the development of
the male secondary sexual
characteristics.
THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
--- produces female hormones and
female sex cells & transport to a site
where they may unite with the
sperm cells.
ORGANS INCLUDE:
-Paired ovaries
- Paired uterine tubes
- Uterus
- Vagina
- Accesory glands & External
organs
Fimbriae

Fornix

Cervix
Rectum

Vagina

Anus
 OVARIES - located in the upper, lateral
portions of the pelvic cavity. About the
same size and shape as large almonds. Outer
surface covered
 --- produces by germinal
female hormonesepithelium
and female sex
cells &- produces
transport toegg cells;
a site secretes
where estrogen
they may unite
and progesterone
with the sperm cells.
ORGANS INCLUDE:
 Paired
OOGENESIS
ovaries – the process producing ova,
 Paired uterine tubes
the female sex cells.
 Uterus
---Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
 Vagina
stimulation causes
 Accesory glands the primary oocyte in a
& External organs
growing follicle to undergo the 1st meiotic
division.
oogenesis

OOGENESIS
..oogenesis
By the 5th month of development, the developing
ovaries of a female baby conatains several million
ooginia. Then, they ceases and generate later. In
fetal development, the remaining oocyte become
primary oocyte—forming the primordial
follicles. At w/c point, they are called primary
follicles.
The large secondary oocyte receives most of the
cytoplasm, formation of polar body occurs. This is
the stage for the secondary follicle. If the secondary
oocyte is penetrated by a sperm, it undergoes 2nd
meiotic division w/c produces an ovum.
OVULATION
As the secondary follicle continues to grow
under the influence of the FSH, it produces a
bulge. At this time, it is called the mature
follicle.
Continued enlargement of a follicle and a
weakening of the ovarian wall
results in the rupture of a follicle
and a releaseof the secondary
oocyte—process called as ovulation.
 UTERINE TUBES – sometimes called as
fallopian tubes, or oviducts. The end of each tube
forms a funnel-shaped expansion, the
infundibulum. Each infundibulum is subdivided
into a no. of fingerlike processes called fimbriae.
 UTERUS – low organ w/ thick, muscular walls.
Primary function is to provide an appropriate
internal dev’t for a developing baby.
 VAGINA – the collapsible tube that extends from
the uterus to the exterior. The birth canal.
EXTERNAL ACCESORY ORGANS:
 VULVA – the external geintal
 PERINEUM – the pelvic floor
 LABIA MAJORA – rounded longitudinal folds
of adipose tissue & thin layer of smooth mscles.
 LABIA MINORA – encloses a vestibule; protect
vaginal and urethral openings.
 CLITORIS – a nodule of erectile tissues.
Contains sensory nerve endings associated w/
feelings of sexual pleasure.
FEMALE SEX HORMONES

Two Groups:
 ESTROGEN – stimulates the maturation of the
female sex organs
 PROGESTERONE – for the dev’t & maintenance
of uterine lining in pregnancy.

-- both estrogen & progesterone play roles in the

regulation of the female reproductive
cycles.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES
--the 2 female reproductive cycles are hormonally
controlled and occur simultaneously starting at
puberty
 OVARIAN CYCLES – involve the dev’t of ovarian
follicles and ovulation. Begin when the hypothalamus
secretes gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH),
w/c activates the anterior pituitary gland to release
FSH and Luteneizing hormone (LH)
 MENSTRUAL CYCLE – or uterine cycle
-refers to the series of changes in the endometrium
that occur each month.
Has 3 phases:
The 3 Phases:

1.) MENSTRUATION – starts a new menstrual cycle.

Begins on the 1st day of the next menstrual cycle & lasts
from 3 to 5 days.
2.) PROFILERATIVE PHASE – characterized by
build-up of the endometrium. Begins at the end of
menstruation & ends at ovulation.
3.) SECRETORY PHASE – begins at ovulation &
ends w/ the onset of menstruation.
MAMMARY GLANDS - possessed by both males &
females. Each consists of 15-25
Lobes containing alveolar glands. Prolactin glands
produces milk under stimulation by prolactin.

BIRTH CONTROL:
 CONTRACEPTION – preventing sperm from
reaching the secondary oocyte.
**Hormonal methods –
Oral contraception, the uses of pills.
**Barriers – preventing sperm from entering the
uterus.
**Spermicides – kills sperms
 Anti-inflammation device (IUD)
 Sterilization – In male, vasectomy. In
females, tubal ligation.
 Induced abortion – the premature
expulsion of an embryo from the fetus.
DISORDERS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Male Disorders:
 Prostatitis- inflammation of the prostate gland.
Cancer of the prostate is the 2nd leading cause of
death from cancer in males. Impotence-the inability
to attain & maintain an erection. Infertility- inability
of a male to produce & deposit sperms.

Female Disorders:
 Amenorrhea- absence of menstruation.
-Dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstruation.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS)- results from human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV)
 Gonorrhea- caused by bacterium Neisseria
gonorrhea.
 Syphilis- caused by bacterium Treponema Pallidum
 Chlamydia- caused by bacterium Chlamydia
trachomatis. 5 million people/ year.
 Genital herpes- characterized by painful blisters
of the rep. organ.
 Genital warts- caused by Human
papillomavirus(HPV). About 1 million cases each year
 -END-

Prepared by:
Crisette M. Solon
BSP 3