The Reproductive System

B. Scrotum and Testes (Testicles)

Testes
Suspended in sac-like scrotum
Testis is surrounded by two tunics: tunic vaginalis derived from peritneum (two
layers with a cavity) and tunica albuginea (inner tunica) which extends inward
dividing testi into lobules
Each lobule contains one to four seminiferous tubules (site of sperm production)
that converge, forming the tubulus rectus
Sperm is brought, via tubulus rectus, into the rete testis (tubular network) then
out into efferent ductules that leads to the epididymis.
Viable sperm production occurs three degrees below core body temperature,
therefore suspended testi outside abdominopelvic cavity
Sperm travel via a duct system: epididymis, ductus deferens, and urethra

Scrotum (scrotal sac)

Subdivided by a midline septum into two compartments each containing testi

Contains two sets of muscles controlling temperature and affecting sperm
production
dartos muscle - smooth muscle controlling surface area
cremaster muscle - skeletal muscle controlling ascension and descension
of scrotal sac
Vascular supply: testicular arteries and pampiniform plexus (veins) that absorb
heat from arterial blood.
Scrotal sac structures (encased in spermatic cord):
spermatic cord (external spermatic fascia)
cremaster muscle
internal spermatic fascia
autonomic nerve fibers
arteries and pampiniform plexus
tunic vaginalis
 tunica albuginea
epididymis

C. Epididymis Storage siteof non-motile sperm, twenty feet long, divided into superior head
(receives immature sperm via efferent tubules) and posterolateral body and tail

The epididymis contains stereocilia (non-motile microvilli) absorb excess fluid and
passes nutrients to sperm
Twenty day trip via the body, sperm mature and become motile
During ejaculation, smooth muscle expels sperm into ductus deferens.

D. Ductus (vas) deferens One and a half feet long, runs upward from the epididymis into the
pelvic cavity along bladder posteriorly, then downward to form enlarged terminus (ampulla)

Sperm is dumped into ejaculatory duct via smooth muscle peristaltic waves.

E. Urethra

Serves as urinary and accessory reproductive system, conveys urine and semen to tip of penis

Composed of three regions: (1) prostatic urethra, (2) membranous urethra (urogenital
diaphragm), and (3) spongy urethra.

F. Accessory glands

(seminal vesicles, bulbourethral (cowpers), and prostate) Seminal vesicle - secretes viscous
alkaline fluid (60% os semen volume) containing fructose, ascorbic acid, and prostaglandins

Prostate - encircles upper part of urethra and is composed of tubuloalveolar glands

surrounded by smooth muscle
Prostatic secretion is 33% of semen volume and contains enzymes and other
chemicals involved in sperm activation.
Sperm and seminal fluid mix in ejaculatory duct of prostate
Bulbourethral gland - inferior to prostate, it produces clear mucus that may neutralize
any acidic urine residue.

G. Penis

Consists of root (bulb and crus/crura of penis) and shaft, ending in the glans penis.
Internal structure:
Spongy and external urethral tissue
Corpora (erectile tissue) - (2) corpora cavernosa and (1) corpus spongiosum
H. Semen

2-5ml of semen ejaculated

50-130 million sperm per milliliter
Sperm and accessory gland secretions:
Fructose = cellular fuel
Prostaglandins = decrease viscosity of mucus of cervix and reverses peristalsis in
uterus
Relaxin = enhances sperm motility
Alkaline chemicals = neutralizes acidic vagina
Seminalplasmin = bacteriostatic agent
Fibrinogen = clots/coagulates sperm
Fibrinolysin = liquifies sperm

II. Physiology of the Male Reproductive System

A. Erection

Arterioles supplying blood to the erectile tissue are usually constricted

Sexual excitement causes a parasympathetic reflex that promotes nitrous oxide release
locally
Nitrous oxide relaxes vascular smooth muscle, causing the arterioles to dilate, which
allows the erectile tissue to fill with blood
Expansion of the corpora cavernosa compresses thier drainage veins, retarding blood
outflow and maintaining engorgement

B. Ejaculation

Impulses provoking erection reach a critical level and then a spinal reflex is initiated
Sympathetic impulse sent to penis to:
Contract reproductive ducts and accessory glands
Constrict bladder muscles
Contract bulbospongiouses muscles of the penis, propelling semen 200
inches/sec

III. Hormonal Regulation of Male Reproductive Function Diagram

 Gonadotropic releasing hormone, produced in the hypothalamus, is released and
promotes the adenohypophysis to produce and secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
and luteinizing hormone (LH)
Luteinizing hormone stimulates interstitial cells of testi to produce testosterone which is
sent to sustentacular cells to stimulate spermatogenesis
Follicle stimulating hormone is sent directly to sustentacular cells and promote
spermatogenesis
Hormone production and circulation is directly controlled by both the extent of
concentration (decrease/increase) of hormones circulation and the production of the
hormone inhibin which inhibits FSH and LH production.

IV. Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System

B. Ovaries

Gamete-producing organ - produces egg or ova

Endocrine organ - produces estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol) and progesterone
Two ovaries flank uterus and held in place by ligaments:
Ovarian - anchors ovary medially to uterus
Suspensory - anchors ovary laterally to pelvis wall
Mesovarium - anchors ovary between uterus and pelvis wall
Mesosalpinx - anchors uterine and ovary (together)
Mesometrium - distributes vascular supply
Broad = mesovarium + mesosalpinx + mesometrium
Ovary surrounded by tunica albuginea covered by germinal epithelium
Blood is supplied via suspensory ligament to mesovarium into ovary
40,000 ovarian follicles (develop into ova) found in ovaries
Follicle development:
Primordial follicle (one layer of squamal, thecal, cells around oocyte)
Primary follicle (outer layer of thecal cells & 1 or more inner layers of cuboidal,
granulosa, cells)
Secondary follicle (fluid-filled space appears between granulosa cells --> forms
antrum)
 Vesicular (graafian) follicle (oocyte sits on a stalk of granulosa cells at one side
of antrum)
Ovulation (of ova)
Corpus luteum ( thecal and granulosal cells)

C. Uterus and Vagina

Uterus is located in pelvic region, anterior to rectum, posterosuperior to the bladder, and
receives, retains, and nourishes fertilized egg. Structures: fundus, body, lumen, isthmus,
cervix
Uterine tubes extend from ovary to superiolateral region of uterus
Tube structure:
Fimbriae = finger-like projections of infundibulum
Infundibulum = opening of oviducts
Ampulla = curved structure, distal end
Isthmus = narrow constricted region toward uterus
Uterine wall structure:
Perimetrium - serous membrane, outermost layer (composed of visceral
peritoneum)
Myometrium - middle smooth muscle layer
Endometrium - simple columnar layer, site of embryo development
Endometrium is composed of two layers (strata):
Stratum functionalis - responds to cyclic changes in hormone
levels and can be shed during menstruation
Stratum basalis - forms new stratum functionalis
Uterine wall vascular supply:
Uterine artery -- arcuate -- radial -- straight -- spiral
Spiral undergoes regeneration/degeneration and spasms cause shedding of
functionalis layer
Also extensive venous network with sinusoidal enlargements
Vagina is a thin-walled but highly distensible tube 8-10 inches long containing three
caots:
 Outer adventitia
Muscularis
Inner mucosa containing ridges or rugae

V. Physiology of the Female Reproductive System

A. Oogenesis

Production of female gametes

During fetal period oogonia (stem cells) multiply by mitosis
Oogonia transformed into primordial oocytes (marked by one layer of cells
suurounding the oocyte)
Primary oocyte begin the first meiotic division BUT stop at prophase I
Puberty initiates the continuation of oogenesis and fertilization by sperm causes
second meiotic division to occur
Meoisis I results in two daughter cells: a large cell called a secondary oocyte and a small
cell called a first polar body
Meiosis II results in four cells: the secondary oocyte when penetrated by sperm divides
into and ovum and a second polar body and the first polar body divides into two more
polar bodies