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Main function: propagation of the species
To achieve this goal: must ensure
1. Sexual maturation
2.Produce gametes (n).
Male and female structures are
homologues:
derived from common developmental
tissues
The Reproductive SystemsThe Reproductive Systems
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ScrotumScrotum
• Pouch that supports the testes
• Septum separates into separate
sections for each testis
• Sperm requires temperatures 2-3o
C
below body temperature
• allows raising and lowering testes to
adjust temperature
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TestesTestes
• Paired oval glands
• Develop on embryo’s posterior wall
and descend into scrotum
Starts in 7th
month
• Where spermatogenesis
(formation & production of sperm
cells) occur
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• Female typically produces and
releases a single oocyte monthly.
• Male produces 100,000,000 of
(sperm) daily.
male gametes are stored for a short
time
if they are not expelled from the body
within that period, they are resorbed
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Androgen EffectsAndrogen Effects
• Prenatal- male pattern of development:
Male ducts, descent of testes, external genitals
& brain regions
• Puberty: enlargement of organs, secondary
characteristics:
Muscular & skeletal growth, hair patterns,
thickening of skin
• Sexual function: sexual behavior,
spermatogenesis & libido
• Stimulation of anabolism: stimulate protein
synthesis & muscle & bone growth
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Accessory GlandsAccessory Glands
• Seminal vesicles- seminal fluid-
Fructose -sperm ATP production
+ alkalinity (neutralize acid in tracts)
+ prostaglandins-activation of sperm
• Prostate- surrounds upper urethra
Increases volume + adds antibiotics
• Bulbourethral glands:
More alkalinity + mucus fluid
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Uterine TubesUterine Tubes
• Two tubes- extend laterally from
uterus
• End in fringe Fimbriae
• Fimbriae sweep secondary oocyte
into tube
• Oocyte moved by cilia lining wall
• Zygote reaches uterus in ~7 days
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UterusUterus
• Parts:
• Fundus -Dome-shaped area above
tubes=
• Body – tapering central portion
• Cervix- narrow opening into vagina
• Uterine cavity- interior of body
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The Uterus Serves FourThe Uterus Serves Four
FunctionsFunctions
• Site for implantation.
pre-embryo implants into the inner uterine wall and becomes
connected to the uterine lining
• Supports, protects, and nourishes the developing embryo/fetus
forms a vascular connection with the mother’s uterine wall that
later develops into the placenta
• Ejects the fetus at birth after maternal oxytocin levels increase
to initiate the uterine contractions of labor.
• Site for menstruation.
if an oocyte is not fertilized or after a baby is expelled, the
muscular wall of the uterus contracts and sheds its inner
lining as menstruation
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VaginaVagina
• extends from exterior to cervix
• Fornix- recess surrounds cervix
• Acid environment- prevents bacterial
growth
• Smooth muscular layer- adjusts for
intercourse or birth
• Thin membrane fold can cover vaginal
orifice = hymen
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• The vagina is
thick-walled, fibromuscular tube
forms the inferior-most region of the female reproductive tract
measures about 10 centimeters in length in an adult female.
• The vagina connects the uterus with the outside of the body
anteroventrally
functions as the birth canal.
• Also the copulatory organ of the female
• Serves as the passageway for menstruation and the baby when
• giving birth (PARTURITION) in a normal delivery
• The vaginal wall is heavily invested with both blood vessels and
lymphatic vessels.
• The vagina’s relatively thin, distensible wall consists of three
tunics:
an inner mucosa, a middle muscularis, and an outer adventitia
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Perineum & vulvaPerineum & vulva
• Perineum: Diamond-shaped area
between thigh & buttocks of both males &
females
• Vulva or pudendum = external genitalia
• Mons pubis- elevation of adipose tissue
• labia majora- extends back from mons
pubis
Same fetal tissue as scrotum
• Labia minora- internal to majora
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Perineum & vulva (cont.)Perineum & vulva (cont.)
• Clitoris- small cylindrical mass of erectile
tissue & nerves
Also contains prepuce & glans
• Vestibule: between labia minora
• External urethral orifice- anterior to
vaginal orifice
• Paraurethral glands- either side of urethra
Same embryonic tissue as prostate
Secretes mucus
• Greater vestibular glands- adds to mucus
Comparable to bulbourethral glands
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When a woman has stopped having monthly menstrual
cycles for 1 year and is not pregnant, she is said to be in
menopause.
The age at onset typically is between 45 and 55 years
follicles stop maturing, and significant amounts of estrogen and
progesterone are no longer being secreted
a woman’s endometrial lining does not grow, and she no longer has a
menstrual period
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Comparison of the Female andComparison of the Female and
Male Reproductive SystemsMale Reproductive Systems
• Primary sex organs called gonads.
ovaries in females
testes in males
• Produce gametes which unite to form a new individual.
Egg cell / ovum
sperm
• Gonads produce large amounts of sex hormones which affect
maturation, development, and changes in the activity of the
reproductive system organs.
estrogen and progesterone in the female
androgens (esp. testosterone) in the male
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• Both have accessory reproductive organs
duct systems
• carry gametes away from the gonads
• toward the site of fertilization in females
• to the outside of the body in males
• Fertilization occurs when male and female
gametes meet:
copulation, coitus, sexual intercourse
Restores the diploid number (2n)
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Birth Control MethodsBirth Control Methods
• ARTIFICIAL
1. Surgery – cut or tie
vasectomy in males - ductus deferens
tubal ligation in female - uterine tubes
2. Chemical interference
oral hormones, implants, injections, spermicide
3. Blocking physically
IUD, condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap
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2 Ways to having twins2 Ways to having twins
IDENTICAL TWIN results from 1 ovum
fertilized by 1 sperm cell that splits into
2 during fetal development
FRATERNAL TWIN results from 2 ova
fertilized by 2 sperm cells separately
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AgingAging
• Puberty- pulses of LH & FSH
• Rise in sex steroids
Growth & secondary characteristics
start of female reproductive cycle
• follicles become exhausted Menopause
estrogen secretion declines
lose feedback on pituitary high FSH & LH
Decline in estrogen supported functions
• In males- slower decline of function
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• Thereafter, changes occur in many body structures, the
reproductive organs mature, and gonads begin to produce
gametes.
• Gametes stop maturing in females in their 40s or 50s, and
menopause occurs.
• A reduction in hormone production that accompanies
menopause causes some atrophy of the reproductive organs
and the breasts.
• The vaginal wall thickness decreases, as do glandular
secretions for maintaining a lubricated and moist lining.
• The uterus shrinks and atrophies, becoming much smaller than
it was before puberty.