The process of reproduction begins with copulation, which is the mating of a male and female of the species. •Sperm cells from the male are deposited in the female reproductive tract and try to unite with an egg cell. •When fertilization (a sperm cell and egg cell unite) occurs, an embryo begins to develop. •The embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus where it is protected, receives nourishment, and develops. •When the new offspring reaches the end of the gestation period, it is delivered from the female reproductive tract in a process called parturition. •To completely understand the process of reproduction, a basic knowledge of the reproductive tract structures and functions is required

1. Topic : Reproductive Endocrinology
By: Dr Iqra bano Chandio

2. Introduction
Reproduction is the process by which animals
produce offspring for the purpose of continuing
the species.
Photo by Ron Nichols courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

3. •The process of reproduction begins with copulation, which is
the mating of a male and female of the species.
•Sperm cells from the male are deposited in the female
reproductive tract and try to unite with an egg cell.
•When fertilization (a sperm cell and egg cell unite) occurs, an
embryo begins to develop.
•The embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus where it is
protected, receives nourishment, and develops.
•When the new offspring reaches the end of the gestation
period, it is delivered from the female reproductive tract in
a process called parturition.
•To completely understand the process of reproduction, a
basic knowledge of the reproductive tract structures and
functions is required

4. Female reproductive tract
• The female reproductive organs consist of the ovary,
uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva.
• Female reproductive tracts of various farm animals are
similar to the cow, but differ primarily in the shape of
the uterus and cervix.

5. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
• In males and females, secretion of GnRH
results in the release of (LH) and (FSH)
from anterior pituitary gland.
• Luteinising Hormone (LH)
• LH is a type of glycoprotein that is produced in the anterior
pituitary to regulate the function of the gonads.
• In males LH stimulates the production and secretion of
testosterone from the testes via leydig cells.
• In female it helps in ovulation.

8. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
•FSH secretion is regulated by GnRH from the
hypothalamus.
•In the female it also stimulates follicular development
and oestradiol synthesis.
•In males it promotes development of testes.
•Progesterone (P4)
•Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum.
•Progesterone maintain pregnancy through out entire
gestation period. It is called pregnancy hormone.
•Estradiol (E2)
•Development of secondary sexual characteristics in
male and female.

10. oogenesis

15. Prostaglandin (PgF2α)
•Prostaglanin is a fatty acid and is produced within
the uterine endometrium.
•Pgf2α causes regression of corpus luteum.
Prostaglandin (PGE2)
•It is produced by the ovary, uterus and embryonic
membranes.
•It plays an important role during labour where it
aids the softening of cervix and aids stimulation of
uterine contractions.

17. Oxytocin (OT)
•OT is a neuropeptide which is synthesised
in hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary.
• At parturition, OT causes strong contractions from the
myometrium.
•OT is also essential for 'milk let-down' in most
domestic species.
Prolactin (PRL)
Prolactin is a protein that is produced from by
the anterior pituitary via lactotroph cells.
It helps in milk production during pregnany.

18. • Relaxin is responsible for the softening and
relaxation of connective tissues in the cervix,
muscles and ligaments in the pelvis prior to
parturition.
•During pregnancy relaxin prevents the initiation of
uterine contractions, together with progesterone
•The male sex hormone is called testosterone and
this hormone is required for spermatogenesis.
Relaxin
Testosterone (T)
•Testosterone is a steroid hormone that is produced
in the leydig cells within the testes.

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