Physiology of Human

Reproduction System
 Introduction
• The objective of this lecture will be to create
an understanding of reproduction from the
physiological perspective.
 Introduction
• Sexual reproduction is the formation of a new
individual following the union of two gametes.
• Genetic material transmission via
chromosome in gametes
• Character transmission:
– Morphologic
– Physiologic
– Patologic
 Gametes
• Male : spermatozoa
• Female : ovum
• Fertilization occurs at tuba fallopii
• Gametes need:
– Motility to be able to meet and unite
– Food to nourish the develoving embryo
 Sex Organ of male
• The male reproduction system has two major
function:
– Production of sperm
– Delivery these to the reproductive tract of the
female
 Male Reproductive System
• Testes – where spermatogenesis takes place
• Epididymis – where sperm mature
• When sperm leaves the body, it will go up the
vas deferens, past the following glands:
– Bulbourethral gland
– Prostate gland
– Seminal vesicles

Slide 8 of 18
Sex Organ of male
Sex Organ of male
• Sperm production___ spermatogenesis_ takes
place in the testes
• Each testis is packed with tubulus seminiferus
(laid end to end, they would extend more than
20 m) where spermatogenesis occurs.
 Spermatogenesis
• The walls of tubulus seminiferus consists of
diploid spermatogonia (2n), stem cells that are
the precursors of spermatozoa
 Spermatogonia
• Divide by mitosis to produce more
spermatogonia or..
• Differentiate into spermatocytes
– It distributes one of each duplicated chromosome
to each daughter cell.
 Spermatogenesis
• Meiosis of each spermatocyt produces 4
haploid spermatids. This process takes over 3
weeks to complete.
• Then the spermatids differentiate into
spermatozoa, losing most of their cytoplasma
in their process.
Spermatogenesis
 Spermatozoa
• Sperm cells consists of
– Head, which has
• Acrosome
• Contains a haploid set of chromosomes in a compact,
inactive state.
– Midpiece, containing mitochondria and a single
centriole
– Tail
 Spermatozoa
• An adult male manufactures over 100 million
sperm cells each day.
• The sperm cells gradually move into
epidydimis where they undergo further
maturation.
• The acidic environment in the epidydimis
keeps the mature sperm inactive.
 Spermatozoa
• In addition to making sperm, the testis is an
endocrine gland. Its principal hormone,
testosteron, is responsible for the
development of the secondary sex
characteristics of men.
• Testosteron is essensial for making sperm
• Testosteron is made in the interstitial cells
(leydig cell) that lie between the tubulus
seminiferus.
 Spermatozoa
• The spermatozoa leave the testis
carrying 23 chromosomes but not yet
capable of fertilization.
• Their maturation is completed through
their journey in the 6 meters of the
epididymis and when mixed with the
seminal plasma from the epididymis,
seminal vesicle and prostate gland.
 Pathway of Semen
• Epididymis  Vas Deferens  Urethra
• A vasectomy is a procedure in which the
vas deferens is cut so that the man will no
longer be able to father children.

Slide 10 of 18
After semen is ejaculated, the sperms
reach the cervix by their own motility
within seconds leaving behind the
seminal plasma in the vagina
 At time of ovulation, the cervical mucous is in
the most favourable condition for sperm
penetration and capacitation as:
1. It becomes more copious, less viscous and
its macromolecules arrange in parallel
chains providing channels for sperms
passage.
2. Its contents from glucose and chloride are
increased.
• The sperms ascent through the uterine
cavity and Fallopian tubes to reach the
site of fertilization in the ampulla by:
1.Its own motility, and by
2.Uterine and tubal peristalsis which is
aggravated by the prostaglandins in the
seminal plasma.
• The sperms reach the tube within 30-
40 minutes
• But they are capable of fertilization
after 2-6 hours.
• This period is needed for sperm
capacitation.
 Capacitation of sperms
• is the process after which the sperm
becomes able to penetrate the zona
pellucida,that surrounding the ovum and
fertilize it.
• The cervical and tubal secretions are
mainly responsible for this capacitation.
• Capacitation is believed to be due to :
1.Increase in the DNA concentration in the
nucleus,
2.Increase permeability of the coat of
sperm head to allow more release of
hyaluronidase
 Male Reproductive Hormones
• See hormone chart in notes
• GnRH released from
hypothalamus causes the release
of LH and FSH from the pituitary
gland
• LH
– Causes Leydig cells in the testes to
produce testosterone
• FSH
– Causes Sertoli cells in the testes to
make inhibin to inhibit FSH

Slide 11 of 18
 Female Reproductive System
• Ovaries – where
oogenesis takes place
• Oviduct (Fallopian Tube)
– where fertilization
takes place
• Uterus – where the
embryo grows and
develops
• Vagina – birth canal
Slide 12 of 18
 Sex organ of female
• The responsibility of the female mammal for
succesfull reproduction is considerably greater than
male
• She must:
– Manufacture eggs
– Be equipped to receive sperm
– Provide an environment conducive to fertilization and
implantation
– Nourish the developing baby not only before birth but also
after
 Oogenesis
• Eggs formation takes place in ovarium
• In contrast to male, the initial steps in egg
production occur prior to birth. Diploid stem
cells (oogonia) divide by mitosis to produce
more oogonia and primary oocyte (oosit
primer). By the time fetus is 20 weeks old, the
process reaches its peak and all the oocytes
that she will ever posses have been formed
(±4 million).
 Oogenesis
• By the time she is born, 1-2 million remain.
• Each has begun the first steps of meiotic
division (meiosis) and then stopped.
• No further development occurs until years
later when the girl become sexually mature.
Then oosit primer recommence their
development, usually one at a time and once
a month.
 Oogenesis
• Oosit primer grows much larger and complete
the meiosis I, forming a large secondary
oocyte and a small polar body that receives
little more than one set of chromosomes.
Which chromosomes end up in the egg and
which in the polar body is entirely a matter of
chance
 Oogenesis
• In human (and most vertebrates), the first polar
body does not go on to meiosis II, but the
secondary oocyte does proceed as far as
metaphase of meiosis II and then stops.
• Only if fertilization occurs will meiosis II ever be
completed.
• Entry of the sperm restarts the cell cycle,
breaking down MPF (Metaphase Promoting
Factor) and turning on APC (Anaphase
Promoting Complex)
 Oogenesis
• The ripening follicle also serves as an endocrine
gland. Its cells make a mixture of steroid hormone
collectively known as estrogen.
• Estrogen is responsible for the development of the
secondary sexual characteristics of mature women.
• Estrogen continues to be secreted throughout the
reproductive years of women. During this period, it
plays an essential role in the monthly menstrual
cycle.
 Ovulation
• Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks after the
onset of menstruation. In response to a
sudden surge of LH, the follicle ruptures and
discharge a secondary oocyte.
• This is swept into the open end of tuba fallopii
and begins to move slowly down it.
 The ovum:
The ovum leaves the ovary after rupture of the
Graafian follicle, carrying23 chromosomes
and surrounded by the zona pellucida and
corona radiata.
 The ovum:
The ovum is picked up by the fimbrial end
of the Fallopian tubes and moved
towards the ampulla by the :
1. Ciliary movement of the cells and
2. Rhythmic peristalsis of the tube.
 Menstrual cycle
• About every 28 days, some blood and other
products of disintegration of endometrium are
discharge from uterus___menstruation.
• During this time a new follicle begins to develop
in one of ovaries.
• After menstruation ceases, the follicle continues
to develop, secreting an increasing amount of
estrogen as it does so.
 Mesntrual Cycle
• The rising level of estrogen causes the endometrium to
become thicker and more richly supplied with blood
vessels and glands.
• A rising level of LH causes the developing egg within
follicle to complete the first meiotic division (meiosis I),
forming a secondary oocyt.
• After about 2 weeks, there is sudden surge of in the
production of LH
• This surge of LH triggers ovulation: the release of the
secondary oocyt into tuba fallopii.
 Menstrual Cycle
• Under the continued influence of LH, now-
empty follicle develops into corpus luteum.
• Stimulated by LH, corpus luteum secrets
progesterone which
– Continues the preparation of the endometrium for
a possible pregnancy
– Inhibits contraction of uterus
– Inhibits development of a new follicle
 Menstrual Cycle
• If fertilization does not occur:
– The rising level of progesterone inhibits the release of
GnRH, which in turn, inhibits further production of
progesterone.
• As the level of progesterone drops:
– The corpus luteum begins to degenerate
– Endometrium begins to break down, its cell
committing apoptosis
– Inhibition of uterine contraction is lifted, and
– The bleeding and cramp of menstruation begin