Ch 27:

Reproductive System
• General organization

• Anatomy of male
reproductive system
• Anatomy of female
reproductive system
 General Organization

• Gonads gametes & hormones

• Ducts transport of . . . ?

• Glands secrete fluid

• Perineal structures = external genitalia

   
 Anatomy of Male Repro System

• Primary reproductive organs

produce gametes

• Secondary reproductive organs . . . .

• Male reproductive and urinary

tracts are partially shared
    Fig 27­1
Testes (paired glands)
• Develop adjacent to kidneys
• Descend into scrotum  4 month

through inguinal canal
• Peritoneal lining is carried along ⇒ 
lining of scrotum Fig 27­2

• Cryptorchidism (in 3% of full­term 
and 30% of premature deliveries)  
– Significance?
– Treatment?
Scrotum
Function: supports and protects testes
Structure: Skin & underlying
superficial fascia
– Dartos muscle in subcutis
– Cremaster muscle deep to dermis
(continuation of ___________)

Involuntary contraction (cremasteric

reflex) in response to ________
Scrotal sac forms 2
separate chambers

Cremaster muscle
Structure of Testes
• Two tissue layers
cover testes:
– Tunica albuginea
– Tunica vaginalis

• 200-300 lobules
• 3 seminiferous
tubules
Fig 27­4/5
 From Spermatocyte to Spermatozoon

• Spermatogenesis: Meiosis of primary

spermatocytes ⇒ spermatids
• Spermiogenesis: Spermatid maturation
into spermatozoa within Sertoli cells
• Spermiation: Spermatozoon released
into lumen
   
Sustentacular (Sertoli) Cells
• Maintenance of blood testis barrier
» special lumen fluid
» sperm specific ag

• Support of spermatogenesis
» FSH and Testosterone work via Sertoli cells

• Support of spermiogenesis
• Secretion of inhibin
• Secretion of androgen-binding protein
(ABP)
 Anatomy of Spermatozoon
Mature sperm has 3
portions

2. Head with acrosome

3. Midpiece with lots of ?

4. Flagellum (rotating in
corkscrew fashion)
See fig 27­6
Epididymis

~ 7 m long

Functions:
2. Sperm-maturation
• Recycling of damaged
spermatozoa
• Adjusting composition of
tubular fluid (stereocilia!!)
Path of Spermatozoa from tail
of epididymis:

ductus (vas) deferens

ampulla

ejaculatory duct

urethra
 Capacitation
Activation of spermatozoa

Occurs after spermatozoa leave

epididymis and come in contact with
seminal fluid.
Seminal fluid + Sperm = Semen

Final capacitation when exposed to

conditions inside female reproductive
tract
 The Accessory Glands.

Provide for 95% of the seminal fluid

2. Seminal vesicles

3. Prostate gland

4. Bulbourethral
glands
Seminal Vesicles
Produce 60% of
seminal fluid
Tubular glands (~ 15 cm)
Secretion
is rich in fructose
leads to sperm motility
 Prostate Gland
• 25% of seminal fluid
• Single, doughnut-
shaped
• Secretion contains:
– citrate
– seminal plasmin
– prostate specific antigen
(PSA)
 Bulbourethral glands
(Cowper’s glands)

Pea size

Alkaline secretion
containing lots of
mucus. function??
 Erectile Tissue
Penis has 3 cylindrical columns:
One corpus spongiosum
Two corpora cavernosa
Corpora 
        cavernosa

??

Corpus 
    spongiosum