The Reproductive

System
 The Reproductive System

is a collection of organs in an organism that function together

for sexual reproduction

The system involved in sexual reproduction

is a collection of internal and external organs — in both males

and females — that work together for the purpose of
procreating, - The Cleveland Clinic.
The Male Reproductive
System
The purpose of the organs of the male
reproductive system is to perform the
following functions:

To produce, maintain, and transport sperm (the male

reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen)
To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract
during sex
To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for
maintaining the male reproductive system
The external structures of male reproductive
system include the:
penis
scrotum
The Male Reproductive System
Penis

- Deposits sperm cells into

the vagina during mating
 Scrotum
This is the loose pouch-like sac
of skin that hangs behind and below
the penis. It contains the
testicles (also called testes)
acts as a "climate control system"
for the testes.
 Testes

 Testicles are oval organs that lie in the

scrotum, secured at either end by a
structure called the spermatic cord.
 Responsible for making testosterone and
for generating or producing sperm.

 Seminiferous Tubules- these tubes are

responsible for producing sperm cells.
 Epididymis
- is a long, coiled tube that
rests on the backside of each
testicle.
- several functions:
1. Sperm Tube
2. Sperm Storage
3. Sperm Maturation
- The sperm stay there for 2-3 months
while they mature.
 Vas Deferens
- is a long, muscular tube that travels
from the epididymis into the pelvic
cavity, to just behind the bladder.
- it is what is “cut” during vasectomy
Ejaculatory ducts
These are formed by the fusion of the vas deferens and
the seminal vesicles. The ejaculatory ducts empty into
the urethra.
 Urethra
Passage of sperm cells and urine out of
the body
is the tube that carries urine from the
bladder to outside of the body.
it has the additional function of
ejaculating semen when the man reaches
orgasm.
Glands that Provide Liquid in which
Sperm Can Swim
 Seminal vesicles
are sac-like pouches that attach to
the vas deferens
Secretes a sugar-rich fluid
(fructose) that provides sperm with a
source of energy to help them move.
 Prostate Gland
is a walnut-sized structure that is
located below the urinary bladder in
front of the rectum.
Secretes a slightly alkaline milky
fluid that is discharged as part of
the semen
Prostate fluids also help to nourish
the sperm.
Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper’s gland)

are pea-sized structures located on the sides of the

urethra just below the prostate gland
Secretes a thick and clear mucus that lubricates and
neutralizes the any trace of acidic urine in the urethra
Vas
 Order of the Sperm Leaving the Body

Seminiferous tubule
(Testes) Epididymis Vas deference

PENIS URETHRA Ejaculatory ducts

 SEMINAL PROSTATE COWPER'S
VESICLES GLAND GLAND

Secretes a sugar- Secretes a slightly Secretes a thick

rich fluid alkaline milky fluid and clear mucus
(fructose) that
provides sperm that is discharged that lubricates
with a source of as part of the and neutralizes
energy to help semen the any trace of
them move.
Prostate fluids also acidic urine in
help to nourish the the urethra
sperm.
The Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system is
designed to carry out several functions.

It produces the female egg cells necessary for

reproduction, called the ova or oocytes
To transport the ova to the site of fertilization.
Receives sperm cells from the male
Nurtures the development of and provides nourishment for
the new individual
The Female Reproductive System
The internal reproductive organs in the
female include:
Vagina
a muscular, narow canal that joins the cervix (the lower
part of uterus) to the outside of the body.
It also is known as the birth canal.
inner wall is surfaced with numerous folds of elastic
mucous membrane called vagina rugae
Vagina Rugae- allow the vagina to expand considerably
during sexual intercourse or child birth.
Ovaries
Fallopian Tubes (Oviduct)
These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper
part of the uterus.
Serves as passageway of eggs from the ovary to the
uterus; site of egg fertilization
 Uterus
(womb), is a hollow, pear-
shaped organ that is the home to
a developing fetus.
Site of egg implantation;
serves as the place where
fertilized egg develops
Divided into two parts
Cervix
is the lower constricted segment of the uterus that
joins with the upper part of vagina
a channel through the cervix allows sperm to enter and
menstrual blood to exit
Corpus
the main body of the uterus
can easily expand to hold a developing baby
Fertilization
A man's sperm has fertilized the egg (a process called
conception), which normally occurs in the fallopian
tubes
The next step for the fertilized egg (embryo) is to
implant into the walls of the uterus, beginning the
initial stages of pregnancy.
Puberty involves the onset of sexual maturity and the
ability to reproduce. When a female reaches puberty, egg
cells start to develop in her ovaries that produce the
sex cells. It is also the time when the body develops
the capacity to conceive.
The Role of Hormones in Male
Reproductive System
Follicle-stimulating hormone is necessary for
sperm production (spermatogenesis)
FSH stimulates the maturation of sperm cells. FSH
production is inhibited by the hormone inhibin,
which is released by the testes.
These hormones regulate the testes in males
FSH stimulates the maturation of sperm cells
------->increase in FSH the testes releases
hormone inhibin to inhibit the production of FSH
Luteinizing hormone stimulates the production of
testosterone, which is also needed to make sperm.
Testosterone promotes the production of sperm and
masculine characteristics.
An increase in testosteron levels inhibits (FSH) &
(LH) production through a negative feedback loop.
FEEDBACK MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN
REGULATING PROCESSES IN THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Menstrual Cycle
If fertilization and/or implantation does not take
place, it passes through the uterus.
If you do not get pregnant, estrogen and progesterone
hormone levels begin falling. Very low levels of
estrogen and progesterone tell your body to begin
menstruation.
average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days
Menstrual Cycle
1. The pituitary gland controls and starts the
cycle.

2. The pituitary gland releases hormones that

cause the egg in the ovary to mature.
The luteinizing hormone (LH) initiates the
maturation of the follicles, converts ruptured
follicles into corpus luteum and causes the
secretion of progesterone.
The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) assists in
the maturation of the follicles and causes the
secretion of estrogen from the follicles.
3. Meanwhile, the ovary itself releases a
hormone called estrogen, which causes the uterine
lining to increase in thickness. The uterine
lining becomes thicker so that the fertilized egg
can attach to it.

4.The ovary releases an egg on day 14. Assume

that no sperm is present.
5.The egg moves through the oviduct and enters
the uterus.

6.Meanwhile the uterine lining continues to

thicken.

7.The egg has not been fertilized, therefore, it

will not attach to the uterus.
8.The thick uterine lining is no longer
necessary, so the cells of the thickened uterine
lining break off and leave the vagina. The
unfertilized egg is lost and some blood is lost
too. This loss of cells from the uterine lining,
blood, and egg is called menstruation.

9. After menstruation, the cycle starts again.

The pituitary gland releases hormones that cause the egg in
the ovary to mature.
The luteinizing hormone (LH) ----> initiates the maturation
of the follicles ----> secretion of progesterone.

The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ---> assists in the

maturation of the follicles ----> secretion of estrogen from
the follicles.

Ovary ----> release of estrogen ---> uterine lining to

increase in thickness ----> ovary releases an egg
(ovulation) ----> The egg moves through the oviduct and
enters the uterus ----> uterine lining continues to thicken
----> egg was not fertilized ----> so the cells of the
thickened uterine lining break off and leave the vagina
together with the unfertilized egg and some blood
Feedback mechanisms in menstrual cycle:
1. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates
the ovaries to release estrogen. High levels of
estrogen then prevent the further production of
FSH.
2. Estrogen also stimulates the release of
luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary
gland, which in turn controls the production of
progesterone. High levels of progesterone then
inhibit the further release of LH.
Did you know?

 Menstrual cramps are the results of the strong

contractions of the uterine wall that occur before and
during menstruation