The reproductive system

Overview
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Fertilization, implantation and pregnancy
Parturition and lactation
The reproductive system
Overview
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Fertilization, implantation and pregnancy
Parturition and lactation
Overview
Role of the
reproductive system:
Gamete production
Fertilization
Zygote (offspring)
development
The reproductive system
Overview
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Fertilization, implantation and pregnancy
Parturition and lactation
Male reproductive system
Testes: main organs:
- produce gametes (spermatocytes)
- secrete male hormone, testosterone (Leydig cells =
interstitial cells)
Spermatogonia multiply at the base of the
seminiferous tubules. Their growth, development and
maturation are supported by the Sertoli's cells. They
migrate toward the lumen while undergoing meiosis
spermatocytes
ontrol of spermatogenesis and hormone
production in males
At puberty, the hypothalamus
secretes GnRH Follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
LH: stimulates secretion of
testosterone by the Leydig cell
FSH: promotes sperm production
by the Sertoli's cell. Testosterone
must also be present for the
Sertoli's cells to work adequately
Testosterone produces a negative
feed-back on LH
nhibin, secreted by the Sertoli's
cell have a negative feedback on
FSH
Testosterone
1- to help spermatogenesis
2- promote the development of secondary sexual characters and behavior:
- stimulate the development of the reproductive organs
- stimulate the male pattern growth of hair (chest, legs...)
- the skin become thicker, coarser and darker
- cause hypertrophy of the larynx with a deepening of the
voice
- stimulate increase of bone and muscle mass
- stimulate the activity of the sebaceous glands
- increase the metabolic rate
- promote also epiphyseal disc closure so growth in length will
stop
- promote male sexual behavior
3- has a negative feed-back effect on the hypothalamus
Sexual response in males
1- ArousaI: Thoughts, visual
impulses, massages of the penis
sacraI parasympathetic NS
dilatation of the arteries supplying
blood to the penis ---> erection.
2- EjacuIation: sympathetic NS
rhythmic peristaltic waves in the
ducts and perineal muscles
ejection of semen or ejacuIation.
cIimax or orgasm.
The semen contains the
secretion from the various glands
along the reproductive ducts with
20 to 100 millions sperm per ml.
Sperm can survive up to 72 h in
the female body.
3- ResoIution: Ejaculationt is
followed by a relaxation period
during which a man cannot
achieve another orgasm (NE in
synapse has been exhausted and
needs to be resynthesized).
The reproductive system
Overview
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Fertilization, implantation and pregnancy
Parturition and lactation
Female reproductive system
Role:
- form gametes (oocytes)
- support zygote
development
haracteristics:
- cyclic changes in activity
- restricted period of
fertility
- limited gamete
production
Gamete development
Oocytes mature during
fetal development at
birth, arrest in meiosis
Development resumes
during each menstrual
cycle: upon ovulation,
egg is arrested in meiosis

Development will resume

only upon fertilization by
a spermatocyte
The menstrual cycle
Several cycles:
Hypothalamus-pituitary gland cycle
Ovarian cycle
- follicular cycle
- hormonal cycle
Uterine cycle
Menstrual cycle: Hypothalamus-pituitary gland
At puberty, GnRH
stimulates the release of
FSH
FSH promotes follicle
(egg and its surrounding
layers) development
LH secretion peaks in
mid-menstrual cycle
Secretions of LH and
FSH are controlled by
negative feedback from
progesterone and
estrogen, respectively
(see ovarian cycle)
Ovarian cycle: follicular phase
Under the influence of
FSH:
- Several follicles
develop. Only one will
mature to ovulation.
Follicular cells multiply
- Primordial follicle
primary follicle
secondary follicle
Graafian follicle
- Synthesis of estrogen
by granulosa cells
Role of estrogen
promotes rapid growth in
young girl, follow by closing of
the epiphyseal disc
induces development of the
breasts
stimulates fat deposit under
the breast, in the hip areas
promotes widening of the
pelvis
induces hair growth in the
pubic, axillary areas
Promote female behavior
Promotes a negative feedback
on FSH
Ovarian cycle: ovulation
Under the influence
of LH:
Burst of antrum
fluid secretion by
Graafian follicle
rupture the
oocyte and its
corona radiata are
ejected toward the
Fallopian tube
ovulation
Ovarian cycle: luteal phase 1
Under the influence of
LH mostly (and some
FSH):
Remaining granulosa
cells form the corpus
luteum
The corpus luteum
synthesizes
progesterone under the
influence of LH and
estrogen under the
influence of FSH.
Ovarian cycle: luteal phase 2
High levels of
progesterone and
estrogen have a negative
feedback on LH and FSH
(respectively)
LH and FSH levels drop
orpus luteum no longer
active corpus albicans
Progesterone and
estrogen levels drop
The negative feedback
loop weakens
FSH can increase against
beginning of a new
cycle
Uterine cycle
Proliferative phase-
Estrogen promotes
uterine endometrium
development
(multiplication of
endometrial cells)
Secretory phase-
under the influence of
progesterone
promotes nutrient
secretion from lining
for egg implantation
Figure 22.15
Figure 22.16
Figure 22.17
The reproductive system
Overview
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Fertilization, implantation and pregnancy
Parturition and lactation
Fertilization
Maximum survival of
sperm: up to 5 days
Maximum survival of
oocyte: 24 h
f coitus during fertile
period oocyte
fertilization in Fallopian
tube.
The fertilized oocyte
completes meiosis , the
nuclei fuse diploid
zygote formed
Twins
What is the difference
between identical
twins and fraternal
twins?
Twins
What is the difference
between identical
twins and fraternal
twins?
mplantation
The fertilized egg undergoes
several division as it is sliding
toward the uterus where it
implants after about 6 days
(unfertilized eggs are destroyed
and phagocytized by
macrophages)
Some cells of the eggs develop
into the embryo, other cells form
the membrane and placenta.
The placental cells start (within 10
days) secreting human chorionic
gonadotropin (hG)
hG has a role similar to LH: it
sustains the activity of the corpus
luteum (LH level decreases due to
negative feedback from
progesterone)
Pregnancy
At 3 months of pregnancy, the
placenta secretes large
enough amount of estrogen
and progesterone to replace
the corpus luteum (which then
disappears)
Estrogen promotes:
- development of breast duct
tissue, breast fatty deposit
- growth of uterine muscle
Progesterone promotes:
- mammary gland development
- suppress uterine contraction
- maintain secretory glands in
uterus
- lactogen secretion (hormone
involved in mammary gland
development)
linical applications
A teratogen is a
compound which can
induce congenital
malformations in
developing babies
an you name some
of these compounds?
linical applications
A teratogen is a compound
which can induce congenital
malformations in developing
babies
an you name some of these
compounds?
Which stage of development is
most susceptible?
Prior to implantation
First 3 months (embryonic
stage)
3 months to birth (fetal stage)
thalidomide
dioxin
linical applications
Which stage of
development is most
susceptible?
Prior to implantation
First 3 months (embryonic
stage)
3 months to birth (fetal
stage)
Embryonic stage, because
all organs are being formed
at this stage. Organs
mature during the fetal
stage and are not as
susceptible to
malformation.
thalidomide
dioxin
The reproductive system
Overview
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
Fertilization, implantation and pregancy
Parturition and lactation
Parturition
Pregnancy should
last 9 months
Stretch of the uterus
triggers increased
contraction and
oxytocin release
Oxytocin reinforces
uterine contraction
Baby's birth
Lactation
First few days after
birth, secretion of
colostrum, a watery
liquid rich in proteins.
Then, milk is secreted
by the mammary
glands under the
influence of prolactin
Milk release is
promoted by oxytocin
(milk-let-down reflex)
linical applications:
Birth control
linical applications: male circumcision
phimosis
Female genital mutilation
linical application: female genital
mutilation