The Reproductive System with Family planning techniques

1. The Reproductive System
Sreenu Thalla
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology

2. 2
Puberty for Females
• Females (10-14 years old)
– Estrogen is released
• Voice changes
• Growth spurt (liquid)
• Hair growth
• Acne
• Menstrual cycle begins
Puberty for Males
• Males- (12-16 years old)
– Testosterone is released
• Voice changes
• Growth spurt (liquid)
• Hair growth
• Acne
• Sperm production begins

3. 3
Male Reproductive System
External System
Penis
Testicles
Internal System
Bladder
Vas Deferens
Urethra
Seminal Vesicle

4. 4
Female Reproductive System
Internal System
Vagina/birth canal
Cervix
Uterus
Fallopian Tubes
Ovaries
Egg/Ova

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 Similarities and differences between males and females, but same goal i.e
new life
 Primary sex organs: gonads
 Testes in males
 Ovaries in females
 These produce the gametes (sex cells)
 Sperm in males
 Ovum (egg) in females
 Endocrine function – secretion of hormones
 Accessory sex organs
 Internal glands and ducts
 External genitalia

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Male reproductive system
 Testes (singular testis) or testicles: the gonads
 In embryo, first develop in posterior abdominal wall, then migrate
 Internal body temp too hot for viable sperm
 Temp cooler in the scrotum because of superficial position

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 Scrotum (pouch) has septum dividing it
 Each testis is about 2.5cm x 4 cm in size, within scrotum
 Dartos and cremaster muscles move testes in response to hot or cold
 Serous sac partially encloses each testis: the tunica vaginalis*
• Develops as outpocketing of peritoneal cavity
 Just deep to tunica vaginalis is tunica albuginea* - fibrous capsule
• Septal extensions of it divide testis into 250-300 lobules
• Each lobule contains 1-4 coiled seminiferous tubules: make sperm
 Sperm leave testis through efferent ductules which enter epididymis*
 Blood supply: pampiniform plexus: from L2 not pelvic level, since descended
from abdomen

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*
*

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*
*
*
* Epididymis is
comma-shaped
*
*
*
*
epididymis
Pampiniform
plexus
(lateral views)

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Spermatogenesis – sperm formation
 Begins at puberty
 400 million sperm/day
 For baby not to end up with twice as many chromosomes as the parents, the sperm (as
well as the egg) needs to have only half (1n) the # of chromosomes (1 of each of the 23)
 (2n means 2 of each chromosome, one from each parent, totaling 23 pairs = 46
chromosomes)
Three stages
 Formation of spermatocytes
 Meiosis
 Spermiogenesis

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Cross section of seminiferous
tubule

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1st stage: formation of spermatocytes
 Spermatogonia are stem cells
Least differentiated (earliest in the process)
Lie in basal lamina
 Divide continuously by mitosis (result 2n or diploid): daughter cells A (remains a stem
cell) or B (goes on)
 When start to undergo meiosis are by definition called spermatocytes
2nd stage: meiosis I
 Each primary spermatocytes (2n) undergoes meiosis I to become 2 secondary
spermatocytes:
 Each secondary spermatocyte undergoes meiosis II to become 2 spermatids
 Therefore 4 total spermatids from each spermatogonium
3rd stage: spermiogenesis
 Spermatids differentiate into sperm
 Spermiogenesis: spermatid streamlined to sperm

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know
these
parts
 Head contains
• Nucleus with chromatid (genetic material)
• Acrosome with enzymes for penetrating egg
 Midpiece: mitochondria spiraled around the core of the tail
 Tail is an elaborate flagellum (allows sperm to swim)

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 Sperm can swim only after they have left the testis
 Process of spermatogenesis is controlled by two hormones
• FSH (follicle stimulating hormones) from anterior pituitary
• Testosterone
o primary male hormone
o produces by testes
 Sperm surrounded by Sertoli* (sustenacular) cells: tight junctions
• Prevents escape of unique antigens seen as foreign
• These would activate the immune system
• Autoimmune response would cause sterility
• Other functions as well
 Interstitial or Leydig cells: secrete androgens
• Male sex hormones
• Main one is testosterone
• Into blood, sustain all male sex characteristic and sex organs

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 Sperm leave testis though efferent ductules
 Lined by simple columnar epithelium
 Cilia and smooth muscle in wall help move sperm along
 Sperm mature in epididymus (20 days)
 Head of epididymus contains the efferent ductules which empty
into duct of the epididymus
 Sperm gain ability to swim
 Sperm can be stored in epididymus for several months
Duct of epididymis: highly
coiled 6m long duct (pic left
is multiple coils of same duct)
*Note pseudostratified columnar
epithelium
*
(reabsorbs fluid)
Ductus (vas)
deferens:
note thick layers of
smooth muscle

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 Sperm are ejaculated from the epididymus
 Not directly from the testes
 Vas deferens* (or ductus deferens) 45cm (18”)
 Stores and transports sperm during ejaculation
 Runs superiorly from scrotum within spermatic cord, through inguinal canal and enters
pelvis  Vas* arches medially
over ureter
 Descends along
posterior wall of
bladder
 Ends in ampulla which
joins duct of seminal
vesicle to form short
ejaculatory duct
 Each ejaculatory duct
runs within prostate
where empties into
prostatic urethra
*

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Spermatic cord:
• Vas deference is the largest
component
• Is a tube of fascia also
containing nerves and vessels
• Runs in inguinal canal
Inguinal canal has 2 rings:
1. Superficial (medial)
2. Deep
Inguinal hernia

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 Seminal vesicles
 On posterior bladder
 Secrete fluids and substances which
constitute 60% of semen
 Their ducts join vas deferens
 Sperm and seminal fluid mix in ejaculatory
duct
 Prostate: note here and next slide
 Bulbourethral glands
 Secrete mucus during sexual excitement
and ejaculation (lubricant)
Posterior view
Lateral view

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The Prostate gland
 Size & shape of a chestnut
 Encircles 1st part of urethra
 3 types of glands
 Contribute to semen (milky fluid and
enzymes)
 PSA measured as indicator of prostate
cancer (“prostate specific antigen”)
 Fibromuscular stroma

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Male external genitalia
Scrotum
Penis
Penis: 3 parts
Root (attached)
Free shaft or body
Enlarged tip called glans penis
Skin of penis is loose
Prepuce or foreskin
Cuff around glans
Removed if circumcision
See cross section, penis
Urethra (called spongy or penile urethra here)
3 erectile bodies (parasympathetic stimulation during sexual excitation causes
engorgement with blood allowing erection)
Corpus spongiosum
Pair of corpora cavernosa
Vessels and nerves
Ejaculation caused by sympathetic nerves
Contraction of smooth muscle of ducts
and penis

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Posterior view

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Review pics

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The Female Reproductive System
 Production of gametes (ova, or eggs)
 Preparation for support of developing embryo during pregnancy
 Cyclic changes: menstrual cycle
 Averages 28 days
 Complex interplay between hormones and organs: at level of brain, ovaries and uterus

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 Gonads: the ovaries
 Paired, almond-shaped, flanking the
uterus in lateral wall of true pelvis
 3 x 1.5 x 1 cm in size
Posterior view

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Anterior view
Ovaries are
retroperitoneal,
but surrounded
by peritoneal
cavity
Held in place by
mesentery and
ligaments:
•Broad ligament
•Suspensory
ligament of the
ovary
•Ovarian
ligament
Innervation:
•Sympathetic
and
parasympathetic

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Structure of ovary
 Fibrous capsule is called tunica albuginea
 Outer cortex houses developing gametes the oocytes, within follicles
 Inner medulla is loose connective tissue with largest vessels and nerves

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 Follicular phase
 1st approx 14 days but variable
 Egg develops in a follicle
 Stimulated by FSH (see next slide)
 Estrogen produced
 Ovulation
 Egg released from follicle (LH
surge)
 Egg in abdominal cavity
 Picked up by fimbria of fallopian
tube
 Not necessarily halfway point
 Luteal phase
 Postovulatory phase 14 days (more
constant)
 Corpus luteum develops from
exploded follicle
 Produces progesterone as well as
estrogen
 Progesterone stimulates
uterus to be ready for baby
 If no pregnancy, corpus luteum
degenerates into corpus albicans
The Ovarian Cycle

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Nearly mature follicle
 Oocyte develops the zona pellucida
 Glycoprotein coat
 Protective shell (egg shell)
 Sperm must penetrate to fertilize the oocyte
 Thecal cells stimulated by LH to secrete androgens
 Granulosa cells (with FSH influence) convert androgens to estrogen (follicular cells called
granulosa cells now)
 Clear liquid gathers to form fluid-filled antrum: now a secondary follicle
 Surrounding coat of granulosa cells: corona radiata
 Fully mature, ready to ovulate, called: ”Graafian follicle”

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Ovulation
 Signal for ovulation is LH surge
 Ovarian wall ruptures and egg released,
surrounded by its corona radiata

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Oogenesis
Generation of eggs
 Starts in fetal period
 No more oocytes made after about 7th month
 Developed only to early stage of meiosis I by birth and stops (called primary
oocyte)
 6-12 primordial oocytes each cycle selected to develop for ovulation (most die)
 Only then is meiosis I completed
 Secondary oocyte is then arrested in meiosis II
 Meiosis II not completed (now an ovum) unless sperm penetrates its plasma membrane
 Of the 4 daughter cells, only one becomes ovum (needs a lot of cytoplasm)
 The other 3 become “polar bodies”

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Fallopian (uterine) tubes, AKA oviducts
 Fimbriae (fingers) pick up
egg
 Beating cilia and muscular
peristalsis propel egg to
uterus
 Empties into superior part of
uterus*
____Fallopian tubes__
Fimbriae *
Cross section
through entire
tube
Enlargement of
mucosa layer
showing ciliated
columnar
epithelium
PID

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The Uterus (womb)
 In pelvis anterior to rectum and postero-superior to bladder
 Hollow, thick-walled organ
 Receives
 Retains
 Nourishes fertilized egg=embryo
Uterus is pear-shaped
(before babies)
Usually anteverted, can
be retroverted

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Parts of uterus
 Body (major part)
 Fundus
 Isthmus
 Cervix
Cervix
•Tough, fibrous ring
•Inferior tip projects
into vagina
•Produces mucus
Cavity of uterus
small (except in
pregnancy)
Cervical canal
•Internal os
•External os
Vagina

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The Uterine Wall*
 Three basic layers
 Perimetrium: outer serous membrane
 Myometrium: middle muscle
 Endometrium: inner mucosal lining
Uterine
supports:
•Mesometrium
(largest division
of broad lig) –
main support
•Cardinal
ligament
•Round ligament
(Prolapse)
*

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Endometrium (inner mucosal lining of uterine cavity)
 Simple columnar epithelium containing secretory and ciliated cells
 Lamina propria of connective tissue
2 main layers (Strata)
1. Functionalis (functional layer)
2. Basalis (basal layer)
(not shed)
(shed if no implantation of
baby)
Note:
Uterine glands
Uterine arteries

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 Pituitary hormones
 FSH: follicle stimulating hormone
 LH: luteinizing hormone
 Ovarian hormones
 Estrogen
 Progesterone
Time: one cycle (approx 28 d.)
*
ovulation
Follicular phase Luteal phase

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The cyclic changes of uterine wall and follicle
(hormone graphs should be above)
Proliferative
phase: rebuilds
itself after slough
Secretory phase: vascular
rich glands enlarge: will
sustain baby (needs
progesterone: corpus luteum
initially then placenta)
If no baby, decreasing
progesterone - slough

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(inhibin: inhibits pituitary
secretion of FSH)

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The Vagina
 Thin-walled tube
 Inferior to uterus
 Anterior to
rectum
 Posterior to
urethra & bladder
 “Birth canal”
 Highly distensible
wall: 3 layers
 Adventitia
 Muscularis
 mucosa

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External female genitalia aka vulva or pudendum
 Mons pubis: fatty pad over pubic symphysis, with hair after puberty
 Labia (lips) majora: long fatty hair-covered skin folds
 Labia minora: thin, hairless, folds enclosing vestibule
 Vestibule: houses external openings of urethra and vagina
 Urethra is anterior (drains urine from bladder)
 Baby comes out through vagina (vaginal orifice in pic)
 Clitoris: anterior, homolog of penis (sensitive erectile tissue)
 Perineum: diamond shaped region

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Mammary glands (breasts)
 Modified sweat glands
 Both sexes but function (normally) only in lactating female
 Produce milk to nourish baby
 Respond to hormonal stimulation
 Lymph drains into parasternal and axillalry lymph nodes
 Nipple surrounded by pigmented ring of skin, the areola
 Muscles underneath: pectoralis major and minor, parts of serratus anterior and external oblique
 Mammary glands consist of 15-25 lobes
 Each a distinct compound alveolar gland opening at the nipple
 Separated by adipose and suspensory ligaments
 Smaller lobules composed of tiny alveoli or acini
 Like bunches of grapes
 Walls: simple cuboidal epithelium of milk-secreting cells
 Don’t develop until half-way through pregnancy (ducts grow during puberty)
 Milk passes from alveoli through progressively larger ducts
 Largest: lactiferous ducts, collect milk into sinuses

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Breast cancer

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Conception
 After ejaculation into the vagina, sperm swim to meet an egg
 Sperm live 5-7 days (need cervical mucus)
 Eggs live about 12-24 hours, so conception only occurs during this short window
 Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube
Events leading to
fertilization:
•Sperm binds to receptors on
zona pellucida
•Acrosomal reaction –
enzymes digest a slit
•Sperm passes through zona
•Fusion of a single sperm’s
plasma membrane with
oocyte’s plasma membrane
•Cortical reaction: sperm
receptors destroyed in zona
so no more enter; sperm
nucleus engulfed by egg’s
cytoplasm
Fertilization occurs
at the moment the
chromosomes from
the male and female
gametes unite

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• Do they work?
• Are they safe?
• Are they available?
• Are they affordable?
• Do they protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Abstinence
• Surgical sterilization – essentially permanent
Evaluation of contraceptive methods
Oral contraception
 Prevents ovulation
 Is reversible
 Does NOT protect against STDs

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Initial days
 Cleavage (cell division)
 Blastocyst stage by day 4: now in uterus

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Implantation
Blastocyst floats for
2 days: “hatches”
by digesting zona
enough to squeeze
out
6-9 days post
conception -
burrows into
endometrium

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Formation of Placenta
Both contribute:
• Trophoblast from embryo
• Endometrial tissue from mother
• Not called placenta until 4th month
• Embryonic blood circulates
within chorionic villi, close to
but not mixing with mother’s
blood
• Nutrients to baby
• Wastes to mom

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 Gestational period: averages 266 days (this is time post conception; 280 days post LMP)
 Parturition: the act of giving birth: 3 stages of labor
1. Dilation: 6-12h (or more in first child); begins with regular uterine contractions and ends with full dilation of
cervix (10cm)
2. Expulsion: full dilation to delivery – minutes up to 2 hours
3. Placental delivery: 15 minutes
Dilation of cervis; head enters true pelvis
Late dilation with head rotation to AP position
Expulsion: head first safest as is largest part
Delivery of the placenta
Childbirth

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Stages of Life
 Embryologically, males and females start out “sexually indifferent”
 Gonads, ducts and externally identical structures
 At 5 weeks gestation changes start to take place
 Puberty: reproductive organs grow to adult size and reproduction becomes possible
 Between 10 and 15
 Influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones
 Testosterone in males
 Estrogen in females
 Female menopause (between 46 and 54):
 Loss of ovulation and fertility

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Risks of oral contraception
 Requires discipline
 Antibiotics can inhibit effect
 Can increase risk of heart attack or stroke
• Can promote clot formation (estrogen)
• Can promote atherosclerosis (progesterone)
 Can promote vaginal and cervical infections
 Can promote cervical cancer from HPV
 Progesterone-only contraceptives may be a little safer but not quite as effective
 Minipill (every day)
 Depo-Provera (3 months)
 Norplant (5 years)

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Is there a male pill? (not yet)
Strategies:
• Shut off testosterone
• Lowers sperm count, but linked with reduced
• Sex drive and erectile dysfunction
• Supplemental dose of testosterone
Inhibit FSH?
 High rate of permanent sterility
Inhibit GnRH?
 Does not completely inhibit sperm production in everyone, but is reversible
IUD
• Safe and effective
• Risk of inflammatory disease, and subsequent sterility
• Recommended for women who don’t want future pregnancy or are not at risk for STD

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 Diaphragms
 Cervical caps
 Condoms (male and female)
 Spermicides
 Not as effective in pregnancy prevention
 Do provide protection against STDs
 Availability
 Fertility awareness (“natural family planning”)
 Minute knowledge of woman’s cycle
 Indicators of ovulation
• Body temperature
• Cervical mucus
Barrier methods

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