Running head: MALE VERSUS FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

Compare And Contrast Of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems Name Professor Course Date

MALE VERSUS FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

Introduction The human genital system or the reproductive system represents organs within humans that function purposely for reproduction. Substances such as fluids, pheromones and hormones, are crucial accessories of the human reproductive system. The major organs of the humans reproductive system include the genitalia vulva and penis and various organs including the ovaries and testis. Differences and similarities exist in the reproductive systems of both males and females (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). These differences depend on the differences between their respective chromosomes. In mammalian systems, females posse two sets of the X chromosome, while males are identified using X and Y chromosome combination. The essential dissimilarity between the male and female reproductive system is that females have cyclic variations in their reproductive activities. Females have an ovarian cycle that lasts for 28 days. This period is characterized by durations of menstrual bleeding. During the sexual development of humans, both sexes have identical gonads, until differentiation begins after the sixth week after birth. In males, this is followed by the formation of the testes, which begin the secretion of the hormone; testosterone. In females, ovaries develop slowly than the development of testes in males. At the fetal stage, both sexes have the primordial genital duct. In males, the duct develops to form the internal genitalia, as the Mullerian duct regresses. In females, the Mullerian duct does not regress. The external genitalia have similar bi-potentials during this stage (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). The development of the female or male sexual, anatomical features depends on proteins called Mullerian-inhibiting factors and testosterone.

MALE VERSUS FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

The Male Reproductive System The principle reproductive organs of the males are the testes. They produce spermatozoa and the male sex hormone known as testosterone. The male reproductive system has accessory glands and ducts involved in the transportation and delivery of spermatozoa to the female reproductive organ. The production of spermatozoa occurs favorably at temperatures of 4o Celsius below the body temperature (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). The scrotum can relax or contract depending on its surrounding temperature. Spermatogenesis occurs in seminiferous tubules in the testes. These tubules have matured spermatozoa and Sertoli cells that provide nutrients for the sperms. Spermatogenesis begins at puberty as a response to hormones emanating from the anterior pituitary glands. The testis produces a primary hormone called the testosterone (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). Testosterone promotes the growth of the lesser sexual traits and reproductive systems. The male reproduction system in humans occurs as organs located around the pelvic region, but outside the body. These organs primarily contribute to the reproduction process. The principle function of the reproductive system in males involves the production and provision of spermatozoa for the fertilization of the ovum. The male reproductive system occurs in three categories (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). The first category involves the production and storage of sperms. The production of sperms occurs in the testes, which later travel to the epididymis for storage and development. The other category comprises of glands that produce the ejaculatory fluids. These include the seminal vesicles, vas deferens and prostate glands. The last category of organs includes those used for deposition and copulation, which include the urethra, Cowpers gland, penis and vas deferens.

MALE VERSUS FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

Female Sexual Reproduction System The main reproductive organ in females is the ovaries. Females have two ovaries, which produce ova and are involved in the secretion of progesterone, estrogen and sex hormones. The accessory reproductive structures in females comprise of two oviducts, the vagina, cervix and uterus (Shih, 2012). The ovaries perform the function of the formation of germ cells. This function is completed during the development of the ovary at the fetal stage. Maturation of follicles in females occurs in the ovary, and it requires the gonadotrophic hormones from the anterior pituitary. The female reproductive system occurs as a system of organs that are located inside the body. These organs are also located around the pelvic region of the female body. The female reproductive system is composed of three parts. The vagina leads to the vaginal opening from the vulva. The uterus holds the developing fetus. Ovaries perform the role of producing ova. During the parental stages of reproduction, the breasts can be considered as reproductive organs. The vagina meets the vulva, which includes the clitoris, urethra and labia regions. These regions perform crucial roles during intercourse (Shih, 2012). The cervix attaches the vagina to the uterus, and the fallopian tubes attach the uterus to the ovaries. The female reproductive system performs two crucial roles. The first role is the production of egg cells and the second lies in the protection and nourishment of the offspring after conception to birth. Similarities between the Two Reproductive Systems The two reproductive systems have close relationships during the developmental stages of the fetus. The two systems share numerous homologous structures arising from their common origin. Both organs have their derivatives from the intermediate mesoderm. The three

MALE VERSUS FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

fundamental precursors of the reproductive organs in both instances are the Mullerian ducts, Wolffian duct and gonads (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). Endocrine hormones perform critical functions in controlling factors during the differentiation of the two reproductive systems. During differentiation, the Wolffian duct forms the duct deferens, ejaculatory duct, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicles in males. However, in females, this duct disappears. In the males system, the Mullerian duct disappears, but in the female system, it forms the uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina (Jones, & Lopez, 2006). In both systems, the gonads form the ovaries and testes, because they share similar derivatives of an underdeveloped structure. Some organs in the two systems share similar functions. These include the Bartholins glands and the Cowpers glands, which produce lubrication secretion. The clitoris and penis are comprised of sensation and erectile tissues, and the ovaries and testes produce gametes. The Skenes and prostate glands produce sensation and ejaculatory fluids.

MALE VERSUS FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

References Jones, R. & Lopez, K. (2006). Human Reproductive Biology. Academic Press. 3rd Edition. Shih, L. (2012). Functional Anatomy: Female Genital System. The John Hopkins Hospital. Page 1-34.