Human Reproduction

Male and Female Reproductive Systems

Reproductive events in humans –

Male reproductive system: It includes

1. A pair of testes
2. Accessory glands and ducts
3. External genitalia

Testes are located outside the abdominal cavity, within the scrotum.
Scrotum acts as temperature regulator.
Testes contain seminiferous tubules that contain two types of cells.

1. Spermatogonia (male sperm cell)

2. Sertoli cells, which provide nutrition to spermatids (sperm)

Outside seminiferous tubules, there are Leydig cells. Leydig cells are also known as interstitial cells.
They secrete the male hormone, testosterone.
Male sex accessory ducts are

1. Rete testis
2. Vasa efferentia
3. Epididymis
4. Vas deferens

Male external genitalia include the penis. It facilitates insemination.

Male accessory glands are

1. Seminal vesicles
2. Prostate gland
3. Bulbourethral gland

Female reproductive system: It consists of

1. A pair of ovaries
2. A pair of oviducts (fallopian tube)
3. Uterus
4. Vagina
5. External genitalia
6. A pair of mammary glands

Female accessory ducts are oviduct, uterus and vagina.

The fallopian tube is divided into isthmus, amphulla and infundibulum.
 Structure and Function of Female Reproductive System
Female reproductive system: Consists of

1. A pair of ovaries
2. A pair of oviducts (fallopian tube)
3. Uterus
4. Vagina
5. External genitalia
6. A pair of mammary glands

Female accessory ducts are oviduct, uterus and vagina.

The fallopian tube is divided into isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum.
Ovaries are the primary female sex organ. The ovarian stroma is made up of peripheral cortex and inner
medulla.

Gametogenesis
It involves the formation of the male and female gametes in the male and female genital organs
respectively. It involves two processes: spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

Spermatogenesis
It is the process of formation of the haploid sperm from the diploid spermatogonia.
 Spermiogenesis: It is the process of transformation of the spermatids into the matured
spermatozoa or sperm cell.
Spermiation: It is the process of release of the matured spermatozoa into the lumen of
the seminiferous tubules.
Hormones involved in spermatogenesis are : –

Sperm is made up of three parts –

Head: Anterior portion is covered by the acrosome (cap-like structure), which
helps in the fertilisation of the ovum.
Middle piece: Contains the mitochondria and provides energy
Tail: Helps in the movement of the sperm
 Oogenesis

It is the process of formation of the haploid ovum from the diploid oogonium.

Various stages of primary oocyte –

Ovulation: Process of release of the ovum from the ovary

Menstrual cycle

Menarche: First occurrence of menstruation at puberty

Menopause: End of the menstrual cycle, at around 50 years of age

Events during the menstrual cycle –

Menstruation phase: It involves the process of menstruation. If the egg does not get
fertilised, the endometrium breaks down and is released out from the vagina in the form of
blood.

Follicular/proliferative phase: It involves increase in levels of FSH and LH hormones.

Release of the FSH hormone stimulates the primary follicle to change into the
matured Graafian follicle.

Release of the LH hormone induces release of the ovum.

 Ovulatory phase: It is characterised by ovulation or release of the ovum from the
Graafian follicle due to high level of LH hormone.

Luteal phase: It is characterised by the rupture of the Graafian follicle in the corpus
luteum.

In the absence of fertilisation, the corpus luteum degenerates.

The corpus luteum secretes progesterone.

Progesterone is important during pregnancy as it prepares the endometrial wall of the uterus for
implantation.

Fertilisation and implantation

Fertilisation takes place in the ampullary–isthmic junction.

Binding of the sperm with the zona pellucida layer of the ovum changes the membrane permeability and
blocks the entry of any other sperm.

Sex of the baby is determined by the type of the male gamete (X or Y) that fuses with the female gamete
(X).

A diploid zygote undergoes several mitotic divisions to form the blastocyst.

Zygote →Blastula →Morula (8 to 16 cell stages) →Blastocyst

The blastocyst is implanted in the endometrium of the uterus.

Pregnancy
After implantation, the trophoblast forms finger-like projections called chorionic villi, surrounded by the
uterine tissue and maternal blood.
The chorionic villi and the uterine tissue get integrated to form the placenta.
Placenta: It is the structural and functional unit between the embryo and the maternal body. It is
connected to the embryo through the umbilical cord.Placenta acts as a permeable membrane and allows
diffusion of substances through it. Moreover it does not allow the germs to pass through.
Substances that passes through placenta:
From Mother to Foetus
Oxygen
Nutrients(gucose, amino acids, vitamins, mineral ions)
From Foetus to Mother
CO2
Urea and other wastes

Functions of the placenta:

Umbilical cord helps in transportation of substances between the mother and the foetus.

Provides nutrients to the embryo

 Removes waste products produced by the foetus

It releases several hormones that are essential for pregnancy –

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Human placental lactogen (hPL)

Oestrogens

Progestogens

Relaxin is secreted by the ovary.

Relaxin, hCG and hPL are released only during pregnancy.

After nine months of pregnancy, the foetus is ready for delivery.

Parturition: It is the process of expulsion of the full term foetus out of the uterus. It is induced by the
hormone oxytocin.

Lactation: It the process of producing milk after the birth of the baby. The hormone involved in
lactation is prolactin.