THE ENDOCRINE AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
- similar to the nervous system
- controls and regulates body processes
- is in control of the mechanisms in the body that slowly take place, such as cell
growth
› Rapid processes, such as body movement and breathing, are controlled
by the nervous system.
› Endocrine System & Nervous System - they work together in a coordinate
manner to enable the body to function properly.

- composed of glands that secrete different types of hormones that affect almost
every cell, organ, and function of our body.
- It is essential in regulating growth and development, metabolism, as well as
reproductive processes and mood.
- sends signals all over the body, much like the nervous system, but unlike the
instant responses activated by the nervous
system, the effects can take a few hours or even
weeks.
› Endocrine glands – secrete chemicals
known as hormones into the bloodstream,
which carries them throughout the body.
› When a hormone in the blood reaches
the target organ, it produces a notable
effect.

I. ENDOCRINE GLANDS AND THEIR HORMONES

o Gland (#)
o Location (-)
o Hormones Released (>)
o Function (-)

1. PITUITARY GLAND
- At the base of the brain
› Oxytocin
› Vasopressin
› Growth Hormone
› Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
› Prolactin
› Luteinizing Hormone
› Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Stimulates growth, and controls the functions of other glands
2. THYROID GLAND
- Below the voice box
› Thyroxin
› Calcitonin
- Regulates body metabolism, and causes storage of calcium in bones

3. PARATHYROID GLAND
- In the neck
› Parathormone
- Controls the calcium levels in your body, and normalizes bone growth

4. THYMUS GLAND
- In front of the heart
› Thymosin
- Enables the body to produce certain antibodies

5. ADRENAL GLAND
- On top of the kidneys
› Adrenaline
- Prepares the body for action, controls the heart rate and breathing in times of
emergency

6. PANCREAS
- Between the kidneys
› Insulin
› Glucagon
- Regulates blood sugar levels

7. REPRODUCTIVE
- Lower abdomen
- Controls maturation and male characteristics
- Influence female traits
- Supports reproductive function
 Testes (male)
› Androgen, Testosterone
 Ovary (female)
› Estrogen, Progesterone

KEY CONCEPTS: The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete chemicals
called hormones to control various body processes. This control system usually
brings about slow changes in the body because chemical messengers move
more slowly than nerve impulses. The major glands in the body are the pituitary,
thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.
II. EFFECTS OF HORMONES IN THE BODY
- Several processes in the body are coordinated by hormones which regulate
and balance the working of organs, tissues, and cells.

 The Endocrine System

– influences how your heart beats, how your bones and tissues develop,
and even your capacity to have a baby
– it plays an essential role in the occurrence of disorders such as
diabetes, thyroid disease, growth disorders, and sexual dysfunction
– both men and women produce hormones in the same areas with one
exception, the reproductive glands
– some hormones have short-term effects, while other hormones have
long-term effects such as those that control our growth and the
changes at the onset of puberty
– During puberty, there are many hormonal changes that is happening
in your body. One moment you laugh, and then suddenly you feel like
crying. Sudden mood swings are relatively caused by the increasing
amounts of hormones in the body at this stage. It is therefore important
to maintain a positive outlook in life and remember that these
changes are only temporary and will stabilize with time.

› Hormones – act in very small amounts

– affect various processes in the body as they regulate and balance the
functioning of organs, tissues, and cells
– have great impact on your growth, appearance, emotions, and
reproductive functions.
› Hormonal Imbalance – If the organ and hormones do not produce the
regulated amount of chemicals to your body, it may result in an abnormality
of your body
– An increase or decrease in its amount may have a significant effect in
the human body.
› Obesity & Osteoporosis – disorders due to endocrine dysfunction

 For most living creatures, reproduction is basically a normal process

controlled by hormones. Even though human reproduction is also
controlled by hormones, the process is rather more complicated. Unlike
other organisms such as plants and animals, you can make decisions
about reproduction. What influence these decisions are your values,
emotions, expectations, and goals. However, like any other living things,
humans depend on reproduction for the survival of the species. If people
stop to reproduce, the human species would become extinct!
 III. THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 PARTS OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

o Testis – produces sperm cells
o Scrotum – sac of skin that holds the testis
o Penis – deposits sperms into the vagina during mating
o Vas Deferens (tube) – carries sperm from testes to urethra
o Urethra – carries sperm and urine out of the body
o Male Glands – provides liquid in which sperm can swim
a) Seminal Vesicle – secretes a fluid that makes up most of the
components of the semen
b) Prostate gland – secretes a slightly alkaline milky fluid that is
discharged as part of the semen
c) Bulbourethral gland – secretes a thick and clear mucus that
lubricates and neutralizes the any trace ID acidic urine in the
urethra

 THE ROLE OF HORMONES IN MALE:

o The male reproductive system also has prostate glands
o Prostate glands – chemicals from these glands nourish the sperm cells and
help them mature
o The production of sperm cells and the release of semen can be regulated by
hormones or special chemicals that come from the testis, brain and pituitary
gland. These hormones keep the reproductive system properly functioning.
 IV. THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system has the following functions:

› Produces female sex cells
› Receives sperm cells from the male
› Nurtures the development of and provides nourishment for the new individual

 The internal reproductive organs of the

female are located:
a) within the pelvis
b) between the urinary bladder and
rectum
 The uterus and the vagina are located:
a) in the middle part, with an ovary
on each side of the uterus

 PARTS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

o Ovary – produces egg cells
o Oviducts (fallopian tube) – serves as passageway of eggs from the ovary
to the uterus; site of egg fertilization
o Uterus – serves as site of egg implantation
– is where the fertilized egg develops
o Vagina – receives the penis of male during mating

 THE ROLE OF HORMONES IN FEMALE:

o The female reproductive system, just like the male reproductive system, is
also regulated by hormones
o Follicles – produce hormones that controls the growth and release of
eggs from the ovaries
– While other hormones prepare the uterus so a baby can grow in it,
other hormones still control the stretching of the uterus during
pregnancy.
o Puberty – involves the onset of sexual maturity and 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 Reproductive System – where system is involved in sexual reproduction
o There is a striking difference between the male and the female
reproductive systems, although they also share a number of
similarities.
– the reproductive organs of the male and female are
developed from the same embryological structures
– some hormones are commonly found in both male and
female, in varying quantities and produce different responses.
 The Pituitary Gland – controls the functions of both the testes and the ovaries.

V. FEEDBACK MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN REGULATING PROCESSES IN THE FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 The Menstrual Cycle

o Menstruation – the monthly changes that take place in the female
reproductive system
o Menstrual cramps – are the results of the strong contractions of the uterine
wall that occur before and during menstruation
– the cramps can be caused by excessive secretion of
prostaglandins
– shedding of the endometrium of the uterus results in
the inflammation in the endometrial layer of the
uterus and prostaglandins are produced as a
consequence of the inflammation
o On average, an ovary releases only 1 egg, every 28 days
o This cycle occurs every month from the first onset which could happen
when a female is between 10 to 13 years old.
o This cycle occurs every month and continues for about 40 years

 Feedback mechanism – is the process through which the level of one

substance influences the level of another substance.
 Negative feedback affects the production of hormones in the menstrual
cycle. High levels of one hormone may inhibit the production of another
hormone.
– Negative feedback mechanisms in menstrual cycle:

a) Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the ovaries to

release estrogen. High levels of estrogen then prevent the
further production of FSH.
b) 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.