Mechanisms of Asexual Reproduction

Budding Fission Parthenogenesis

Asexual Reproduction Sexual Reproduction
Create new individuals whose Create new individuals by fusion
genes come from one parent of haploid gametes (meiosis)
(no fusion of egg & sperm)

gamete (n) gamete (n)

spermatozoa (n) ovum (n)
relies mainly on
mitotic division

zygote (2n)

enable animals living in increase genetic variability

isolation to reproduce
Parthenogenesis
Development of an egg
without fertilization

Hermaphroditism
One organism carries
both male and female
reproductive organs and
gametes
 Reproductive anatomy of the human male

thick ‘voluminous’
fluid; mucus; fructose;
alkaline

accessory
glands
thin milky fluid;
anticoagulant & citrate
Penis
Clear mucid fluid;
neutralize acidic urine
 4

3
2
1
Reproductive anatomy of the human female

Secrete mucus
for lubrication
Reproductive anatomy of the human female (cont’d)

(Fallopian tubes)
GONADAL STEROID HORMONES

HO

CHOLESTEROL
Regulation of sexual characteristics in the female

Gonadotrophin-
Releasing
Hormones

Gonadotrophins

corpus
luteum
ovary
ovulation
Estrogen &
Progesterone
Gonadal Steroids
Regulation of sexual characteristics in the male

Gonadotrophin-
Releasing
Hormones

Gonadotrophins

Androgen
production
testis
Spermatogenesis
Testosterone
Gonadal Steroids
 In MALE (GRH)
FSH - stimulates maturation
of spermatogonia
(gonadotrophins)
LH - stimulates interstitial
cells to secrete testosterone

(interstitial cells)

Barry Bonds??
 n = ploidy; 2n = diploid; 1n = haploid
c = content of nuclear DNA (# of chromatids)

2n, 2c Leydig cells

Duplicate (goes on throughout adult life) Interstitial cells
DNA secrete
testosterone
2n, 4c

1n, 2c
Nurse cells
Nurturing cells
1n, 1c Supporting
cells

1n, 1c
Regulation of sexual characteristics in the female

Gonadotrophin-
Releasing
Hormones FSH-RH
and LH-RH

Gonadotrophins
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Luteinizing Hormone
corpus
luteum
ovary
ovulation
Estrogen
Progesterone
Gonadal Steroids
 In FEMALE

FSH - stimulates maturation

of follicle (of sperm)
LH - stimulates corpus luteum
to secrete progesterone
(interstitial cells/testosterone)
 Oogenesis in the female ovary

(no further
div ision after
2n, birth)
2c

(arrested at this
stage until puberty)
2n, 4c

1n, 2c

1n, 1c 1n, 1c
Mature sperm
 Ovulation

Ovarian Cycle
(corpus luteum)

Female reproductive
cycle in the absence
of fertilization Gonadotrophins

Ovarian changes
Ovarian changes

Uterine
Uterinewall
wall

Menstrual Cycle
(or estrus cycle in most mammals)

Estrogen
Gonadal
Steroids
Progesterone
FOLLICULAR PHASE
(rise in FSH results in follicle
maturation --> rise in estrogen)

of estrogen

ovulation

estrog

prog
 Late follicular stage and (characterized by surge in
FSH & minor surge in LH)
OVULATORY PHASE
of estrogen

(anterior pituitary)

ovulation

Surge of LH

estrog

prog

Ovulation
SECRETORY PHASE
(LUTEAL PHASE)
(characterized by high levels of
estrogen & progesterone)

ovulation

Maintain uterine lining

estrog in secretory state
prog
 Ovulation

Ovarian Cycle

Female reproductive
cycle in the absence
of fertilization Gonadotrophins

Ovarian changes

Uterine wall

Menstrual Cycle

Estrogen
Gonadal
Steroids Progesterone
 Female reproductive
cycle when
fertilization occurs prior to implantation

HCG
HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin
(structurally similar to LH) secreted by after implantation
developing embryo
 Fertilization and Implantation

It takes about 4 days from ovulation to the uterus;

about another 1-4 days for implantation
Placentation & Development of the Fetus
Sexual Development in the Human Embryo

Testis determining
factor

10 week
10 week fetus
fetus

at birth at birth
Early Development of External Genitalia
Bipotential stage
(6 week fetus)

10 week fetus 10 week fetus

at birth at birth