Physiology of Human Reproduction System

Dr. Nur Aida Sri Wahyuni Department of Physiology Medical Faculty of Sriwijaya University

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 determination
Since fertilization happen Ovum (22 A+ X) unites with sperm (22 A + X or Y) Sex determination depends on sex chromosom carried by sperm.

Development of sex organ in embryonal phase

week 4th
Urogenital ridge ___ gonad ___ cortex & medulla

Week 6th
Male : cortex ___ regresi; medulla____ testis Female : cortex ___ ovary: medulla ___regresi

Week 7th
Ductus primordial: ductus mulleri & ductus wolfii

 Birth to child
Reproduction organ inactive Pituitary: secret TSH, ACTH, GH for growing child while LH and FSH inactive

Adolescence
Rapid growth stature Secondary sex characteristics develop Sex Reproduction act

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.

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

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.

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.

The ovum:
The ovum leaves the ovary after rupture of the Graafian follicle, carrying 23 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.

Female Reproduction System (2)

Physiological Stages
Neonatal period: birth---4 weeks Childhood: 4 weeks----12 years Puberty: 12 years---18 years Sexual maturation: 18 year---50 year Perimenopause: decline of ovarian function (40 years)----1 year postmenopause Postmenopause

Adolescence
Puberty Burst of hormones activate maturation of the gonads: ovaries Begins: 8-13 yrs of age Abnormally early = precocious puberty Delayed =Primary Amenorrhea

Function of Female Reproductive System

Produce sex hormones Produce functioning gamates [ova] Support & protect developing embryo

General Physical Changes

Axillary & pubic hair growth (pubarche) Changes in body conformation [widening of hips, development of breasts (telarche)] Onset of first menstrual period [menarche] Mental changes

Menstruation
Menstruation cyclic endometrium sheds and bleeds due to cyclic ovulation Mense Endometrium is sloughed (progesterone withdrawal) Nonclotting menstrual blood mainly comes from artery (75%) Interval: 24-35 days (28 days). duration: 2-6 days. the first day of menstrual bleeding is consideredy by day 1 Shedding: 30-50 ml

1. 2.

3.
4.

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.

When does ovulation occur?

The timing of ovulation varies with the length of a woman's menstrual cycle. In the average 28 day menstrual cycle, the LH surge usually occurs between cycle days 11-13 and ovulation follows about 36-48 hours later, on or close to cycle day 14.

 Women with shorter menstrual cycle lengths tend to ovulate earlier and women with longer cycle lengths tend to ovulate later than cycle day 14. Despite the variations in menstrual cycle length, the time from ovulation to the onset of the next menstrual period is usually constant (2 weeks). This principle is the basis for the use of ovulation calendars that take into account an individual's shortest and longest cycle lengths.

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.

Menstrual 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, nowempty 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

Uterine cycle
Day 1 menses: degeneration and loss of the functional layer.
Decrease in estrogen & progesterone stimulates the release of prostaglandin which cause spiral arterioles to constrict. O2 & nutrien deprivation causes endometrial necrosis, desquamation, and bleeding. Only stratum basale remains.

Uterine cycle
Day 5-14_Proliferation: restoration of the functional layer
Follicular cell secrets increasing amount of estrogen Stratum basale cells proliferate to produce stratum functionalis Short straight endometrial glands form Spiral arterioles regrow

Uterine cycle
Day 15-26__secretion: increased growth & secretion prepares uterus for implantation.
Levels of estrogen & progesterone produced by the corpus luteum increase. Glands enlarge, coil into corkscrew shapes and secret glycogen Vascularization of s.functionalis increases

Uterine cycle
Day 26-28 : if fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates so estrogen & progesterone leves decline.

Hormonal regulation of monthly ovarian cycle

Day 1
Rising level of GnRH stimulates release of FSH & production of LH by hipofise FSH stimulate proliferation of granulosa cells & the follicle grow Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid producing small fluid-filled cavities which merge to form the fluid-filled antrum Increasing numbers of granulosa cells release estrogen and inhibin

Hormonal regulation of monthly ovarian cycle

Day 6-8 :
Inhibin & estrogen decrease GnRH & FSH release Higher level of estrogen stimulate production & release of LH (positive feedback) LH accelerates growth & maturation of follicle (1 dominant ovum)

Hormonal regulation of monthly ovarian cycle

Day 12-14
While follicle migrates to ovarium surface, estrogen level increases sharply causing surge of LH and 1 follicle rupture & release ovum. Other follicles degenerate forming atretic follicle. Estrogen level falls.

Hormonal regulation of monthly ovarian cycle

Day 15
LH levels are elevated for 2 days, cause follicle cells to be filled with lipid & yellow pigment (luteinized) forming a corpus luteum. Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen which inhibit hipothalamus production of GnRH and decrease FSH & LH levels

Hormonal regulation of monthly ovarian cycle

Day 26
Corpus luteum degenerates & forms corpus albican if there is no pregnancy. Decreasing level of progesterone & estrogen result in renewed production of GnRH.

The Ovarian cycle

Pregnancy
Onset of gestation following fertilization Embryonic cell division every 20 hrs. The period of attachment in the uterus is critical-if no attachment-embryonic death occurs About 37-42 weeks

Pregnancy
Hormone:
hCG
Corpus luteum, placenta Function: maintaining corpus luteum & placenta to secret estrogen & progesteron Pregnancy test (+)

hCS
Function: for growing fetus

Parturition
Placenta is responsible for protecting the fetus and exchanging nutrients and waste with the mother Birthing is initiated with the release of cortisol Cortisol release causes progesterone to decrease and estrogen, PGF2a, and oxytocin to spike initiating uterine contractions Relaxin also released from the CL-stimulates the pelvis

Mammary Glands [ breasts]

Present in both sexes - normally only functional in females Developmentally they are derived from sweat glands Contained within a rounded skin-covered breast anterior to the pectoral muscles of the thorax Slightly below center of each breast is a ring of pigmented skin, the areola - this surrounds a central protruding nipple Internally - they consist of 15 to 25 lobes that radiate around and open at the nipple Each lobe is composed of smaller lobules- these contain alveoli that produce milk when a women is lactating non-pregnant women - glandular structure is undeveloped hence breast size is largely due to the amount of fat deposits

Breast feeding periode (lactation)

Facilitated by prolactin Regulated by PIH Triggered by: oxitocyn and suckling reflex During this periode, reproductive function is depressed.

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