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Chapter 24
Reproductive
System
Ciliated Epithelial Surface of a Uterine Tube
Functions of the Reproductive System
To produce offspring
The gonads produce gametes (sperm or ova) and
sex hormones
Primary sex organs (gonads): testes in males, ovaries
in females
Sex hormones: androgens (males), and estrogens and
progesterone (females)
Play roles in:
The development and function of the reproductive organs
Sexual behavior and drives
The growth and development of many other organs and tissues
All other reproductive organs are accessory
Ducts, glands, and external genitalia
Functions of the Reproductive System
The male gonads (testes) produce sperm and lie
within the scrotum
Sperm are delivered to the exterior through a system
of ducts: epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory
duct, and the urethra
Accessory sex glands:
Empty their secretions into the ducts during ejaculation
Include the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and
bulbourethral glands
Functions of the male reproductive system are:
Production of sperm cells
Sustaining and transfer of the sperm cells to the
female
Production of male sex hormones
Functions of the Reproductive System
Ovaries are the primary female reproductive
organs
Accessory ducts include: uterine tubes, uterus,
vagina, and mammary glands
Functions of the female reproductive system
are:
Production of female sex cells (ova)
Reception of sperm cells from the male
Nurturing the development of and providing
nourishment for the new individual
Production of female sex hormones
Fig. 24.1
Meiosis
Chromosomes
The diploid number of chromosomes in
humans is 46, consisting of 23 pairs of
homologous chromosomes
A male has the sex chromosomes XY and a
female XX
The haploid number of chromosomes in
humans is 23
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system includes:
Testes
Ducts
Epididymides
Ductus deferentia
Urethra
Accessory glands
Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral glands
Supporting structures
Scrotum and penis
Collectively, all of these structures are called
the male genitalia
Fig. 24.3
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Scrotum
A sac containing the testes
Intrascrotal temperature is kept constant by
two sets of muscles:
Dartos: smooth muscle that wrinkles scrotal
skin
Cremaster: bands of skeletal muscle that
elevate the testes
They keep the testes 3C lower than core body
temperature (needed for sperm production)
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Testes (Histology)
Each testis is surrounded by two tunics:
The tunica vaginalis, derived from peritoneum
The tunica albuginea, the fibrous capsule of
the testis
Extensions of the tunica albuginea form
incomplete septa
Septa divide the testis into 300-400 lobules,
each containing 1-4 seminiferous tubules
The uncoiled, combined length of the seminiferous
tubules in both testes is nearly half a mile
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Testes (Histology)
Seminiferous tubules sperm factories:
Produce the sperm
Converge to form the tubulus rectus
The straight tubulus rectus conveys sperm
to the rete testis
From the rete testis, the sperm :
Leave the testis via efferent ductules
Enter the epididymis
Surrounding the seminiferous tubules are
interstitial cells that produce testosterone
Fig. 24.4
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Testes (Descent)
During development, the testes pass from
the abdominal cavity through the inguinal
canal to the scrotum
A tunica vaginalis covers each testis,
protecting against friction
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Ducts: Epididymis
Efferent ductules extend from the testes into the
head of the epididymis and join the duct of the
epididymis
The epididymis is a coiled tube system located on
the testis that is the site of sperm cell maturation. It
consists of a head, body, and tail
Nonmotile sperm enter, pass through its tubes and
become motile
Takes 12-16 days
Acrosome matures
Ability to fertilize an oocyte develops
Flagella become capable of movement
Upon ejaculation the epididymis contracts, expelling
sperm into the ductus deferens
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Ducts: Ductus Deferens and Ejaculatory Duct
Runs from the epididymis through the inguinal
canal into the abdominal cavity
Its terminus expands to form the ampulla and then
joins the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the
ejaculatory duct, which connects to the prostatic
urethra
Propels sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
Vasectomy: cutting and ligating the ductus
deferens, which is a nearly 100% effective form of
birth control
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Ducts: Ductus Deferens and Ejaculatory Duct
The spermatic cord consists of the ductus
deferens, blood and lymphatic vessels, and nerves
Coverings of the spermatic cord consist of the
external spermatic fascia, cremaster muscle, and
internal spermatic fascia
The spermatic cord passes through the inguinal
canal into the abdominal cavity
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Ducts: Urethra
The prostatic urethra extends from the
urinary bladder through the prostate gland
to the membranous urethra
The membranous urethra extends through
the pelvic floor and becomes the spongy
urethra, which continues through the penis
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Penis
A copulatory organ designed to deliver sperm into
the female reproductive tract
Consists of an attached root and a free shaft that
ends in the glans penis
Prepuce, or foreskin
Cuff of skin covering the glans penis
Circumcision: surgical removal of the foreskin after birth
The bulb of the penis and the crura form the root of
the penis and the crura attach the penis to the
coxal bones
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Penis
Consists of erectile tissue
The two corpora cavernosa
Form the dorsum and the sides of the penis
The corpus spongiosum
Surrounds the urethra and expands to form the
glans and bulb of the penis
Erection: during sexual excitement, the
erectile tissue fills with blood causing the
penis to enlarge and become rigid
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Accessory Glands
Seminal Vesicles
Lie on the posterior wall of the bladder
Join the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct
Sperm and seminal fluid mix in the ejaculatory duct and
enter the prostatic urethra during ejaculation
Prostate Gland
Doughnut-shaped gland that encircles part of the
urethra inferior to the bladder
Consists of glandular and muscular tissue and empties
into the prostatic urethra
Bulbourethral glands
Pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate
Mucous glands that empty into the spongy urethra
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
Semen
Milky white, sticky mixture of sperm and accessory
gland secretions
Provides a transport medium and nutrients (fructose),
protects and activates sperm, and facilitates their
movement
The testicular secretions contain sperm cells (4% of total
volume)
The seminal vesicle fluid contains fructose, clotting proteins,
and prostaglandins (65% of total volume)
The prostate secretions make the seminal fluid more pH-
neutral. Proteolytic enzymes break down clotting proteins(30%
of total volume)
The bulbourethral glands produce mucus, which neutralizes the
acidic pH of the urethra (<1% of total volume)
Physiology of Male Reproduction
Normal function of the male reproductive
system depends on hormonal and neural
mechanisms
Regulation of Sex Hormone Secretion
GnRH stimulates LH and FSH release from the
anterior pituitary
LH stimulates the interstitial cells to produce
testosterone
FSH stimulates sperm cell formation
Inhibin, produced by sustentacular cells, inhibits
FSH secretion
Physiology of Male Reproduction
Puberty
Before puberty, small amounts of
testosterone inhibit GnRH release
During puberty testosterone does not
completely suppress GnRH release,
resulting in increased production of FSH,
LH, and testosterone
Physiology of Male Reproduction
Effects of Testosterone
Produced by interstitial cells
Causes the development of male sex organs
in the embryo
Stimulates the descent of the testes
Causes enlargement of the genitalia
Necessary for sperm cell formation
Physiology of Male Reproduction
Effects of Testosterone
Hair growth stimulation (pubic area, axilla, and
beard) and inhibition (male pattern baldness)
Increased skin thickness and melanin and
sebum production
Enlargement of the larynx and deepening of the
voice
Increased protein synthesis (muscle), bone
growth, blood cell synthesis, and blood volume
Metabolic rate increases
Physiology of Male Reproduction
Male Sexual Behavior and the Male
Sexual Act
Testosterone is required for normal sex
drive
The male sexual act includes erection,
emission, ejaculation, orgasm and
resolution
Stimulation of the sexual act can be psychic
or tactile
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
The female reproductive system includes
the:
Ovaries
Uterine tubes
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia
Summary glands
Fig.
24.10
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
Ovaries
Paired organs on each side of the uterus
held in place by several ligaments
The suspensory ligament, ovarian ligament,
and broad ligament
The visceral peritoneum covers the surface
of the ovaries
Have an outer capsule (tunica albuginea)
and is divided internally into a cortex
(contains follicles) and a medulla (receives
blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves)
Fig.
24.11
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
Uterine Tubes
Extend from the ovaries to the uterus
The ovarian end of the uterine tube is expanded as the
infundibulum.
The opening of the infundibulum is surrounded by
fimbria
The ampulla is the widest, longest part of the uterine
tube
Consists of an outer serosa, a middle muscular
layer and an inner mucosa with simple ciliated
columnar epithelium
Muscular contractions and cilia move the oocyte
through the uterine tube
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
Uterus
Consists of the fundus, body, and cervix
Held in place by the broad, round, and
uterosacral ligaments
The walls consist of the perimetrium
(visceral peritoneum), the myometrium
(smooth muscle), and the endometrium
(mucous membrane)
The uterine cavity and the cervical canal
are the spaces formed by the uterus
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
Vagina
The female organ of copulation
Connects the uterus (cervix) to the
vestibule
Consists of a layer of smooth muscle and
an inner lining of moist stratified squamous
epithelium
The hymen covers the vaginal orifice
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
External Genitalia
The external female genitalia consist of the
vestibule and its surrounding structures
The vestibule is the space into which the
vagina and the urethra open
Erectile tissue is associated with the vestibule
The two corpora cavernosa form the clitoris
The corpora spongiosa form the bulbs of the
vestibule
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
External Genitalia
The labia minora are folds that cover the vestibule
and form the prepuce
The greater and lesser vestibular glands produce a
mucous fluid
When closed, the labia majora cover the labia minora
The mons pubis is an elevated fat deposit superior to the
labia majora
The pudendal cleft is a space between the labia majora
Perineum
The clinical perineum is the region between the vagina and
the anus
Fig.
24.15
Anatomy of the Female
Reproductive System
Mammary Glands
Modified sweat glands located in the
breasts
Consist of glandular lobes and adipose
tissue
The lobes consist of lobules that have milk-
producing alveoli
The lobes connect to the nipple through the
lactiferous ducts
The areola surrounds the nipple
Suspensory ligaments support the breasts
Fig.
24.16
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Puberty
Begins with the first menstrual bleeding
(menarche)
Begins when GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen,
and progesterone levels increase
Increased estrogen and progesterone
promote the development of the female
primary and secondary sexual
characteristics
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Menstrual Cycle
Consists of the periodic changes occurring in the
ovaries and uterus of a sexually mature, nonpregnant
female that result in
The production of a secondary oocyte
Preparation of the uterus for implantation
Days 1-5: Menstrual phase: uterus sheds all but the
deepest part of the endometrium
Days 6-14: Proliferation phase: endometrium
rebuilds itself
Days 14-28: Secretory phase: endometrium
prepares for implantation of the embryo
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual phase is the time between the
beginning and the end of menstruation (days
1-5)
Menstruation is the discharge of blood and part of
the endometrium from the uterus
Menstruation begins because of a decrease in
progesterone and estrogen from the previous cycle
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Menstrual Cycle
The proliferation phase is the time between the end
of menstruation and ovulation (days 614)
FSH and LH stimulate follicular growth and estrogen
production
Estrogen stimulates epithelial cells in the endometrium
to multiply
The endometrium becomes thicker and spiral glands
and arteries develop
The LH surge stimulates completion of the first meiotic
division by the primary oocyte, ovulation, and formation
of the corpus luteum
The FSH surge stimulates follicle development
Mature follicles inhibit the development of less mature
follicles
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Menstrual Cycle
The secretory phase is the time between ovulation
and the beginning of menstruation (days 1428)
Estrogen stimulates cell division in the endometrium
Progesterone stimulates the spiral glands to produce a
secretion rich in glycogen and lipids and inhibits uterine
contractions
If fertilization does not occur, menses begins and the
corpus luteum becomes the corpus albicans
If fertilization occurs, hCG stimulates the corpus luteum
to persist
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Female Sexual Behavior and the Female
Sexual Act
Female sex drive is partially influenced by
androgens (produced by the adrenal gland) and
steroids (produced by the ovaries)
Events of the female sexual act including the
following
The erectile tissue of the clitoris and the bulbs of the
vestibule become filled with blood
The vestibular glands secrete mucus, and the vagina
extrudes a mucuslike substance
Orgasm and resolution occur
Physiology of Female Reproduction
Fertilization
Intercourse must take place 5 days before
to 1 day after ovulation if fertilization is to
occur
Sperm cell transport to the ampulla
depends on the ability of the sperm cells to
swim and possibly on contractions of the
uterus and the uterine tubes
Implantation of the developing embryo into
the uterine wall occurs when the uterus is
most receptive
Fig.
24.18
Effects of Aging on the
Reproductive System
The prostate gland enlarges, and there is an age-
related increase in prostatic cancer
There is decreased sperm cell production and
increased production of abnormal sperm cells
Erectile dysfunction increases
The most significant age-related change in
females is menopause
The uterus decreases in size and the vaginal wall
thins
There is an age-related increase in breast, uterine,
and ovarian cancer