Endocrine Glands and Hormones that are Associated with Male Reproductive System and Their Function.

Following endocrine glands and hormones are associated with male reproductive system:1. Hypothalamus: Secretes Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) to stimulate pituitary for the secretion of FSH & LH.2. Pituitary gland: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Function: a) Stimulate the growth of the seminiferous tubules. b) Control spermatogenesis, synthesis and release of

testosterone hormone. Luteinizing hormone:Function: Synthesis and release of testosterone in the presence of FSH.

Endocrine Glands and Hormones that are Associated with Male Reproductive System and Their Function.

• Testis: Secretes Testosterone from its Interstitial (Leydig cell of the testis) cells.

Function of testosterone hormone: a) Maintain normal sexual behavior of animals.

b)Maintenance of the function of male accessory genital gland.c) Control of spermatogenesis together with FSH.d) Prenatal maintenance of Wolffian duct and its differentiation into epididymis and ductus deferens.• Prostate gland: Secrete relaxin which helps in motility of spermatozoa in semen.

Endocrine Glands and Hormones that are Associated with Male Reproductive System and Their Function.

• Inhibin: Secretes from Sustentacular cells of the testis and blocks the secretion of pituitary-FSH and control spermatogenesis.

• Sustentacular cells produces large quantity of estrogen hormone in pathological condition (tumor) leading to feminization of animals.

Endocrine Glands and Hormones that are Associated with Female Reproductive System and Their

Function.• Following endocrine glands are associated with female

reproduction:1. Pituitary gland2. Ovary3. Corpus luteum (temporary gland)4. Placenta (temporary gland)5. Uterus, and6. Pineal gland.

Endocrine Gland and their Reproductive Function in Female

Hypothalamus: GnRH, function is similar to male.Pituitary Gland:1. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): a) Growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. b) Initiate estrogen (maintain all female sex character)

secretion from granulosa cells.2. Luteinizing Hormone (LH): a) Initiate ovulation b) Initiate corpus luteum (CL) formation and secretion of

progesterone from CL.3. Prolactin: In rat activates corpus luteum, and in Pigeon

causes production of crop milk.

Endocrine Gland and their Reproductive Function in Female

Ovary: Estrogen: Cause development of mammary

gland, external genitalia (vulva) development, fat mobilization, axillary hair development etc.

Endocrine Gland and their Reproductive Function in Female

Corpus Luteum: Secretes,1. Progesterone: Maintenance of pregnancy

(decrease tone of uterus, and inhibit FSH).

2. Estrogen: Function already described.

3. Relaxin: Relaxes the cervix, and soften pubic symphysis and helps in parturition.

Endocrine Gland and their Reproductive Function in Female

• Placenta: Progesterone: Secrete by placenta at late stage

of pregnancy for its maintenance. • Uterus: Secretes Luteolytic factor PGF2α

In case of failure of pregnancy PGF2α cause luteolysis means regression of corpus luteum.

• Pineal Gland:Influence gonadotropic functions (like FSH and

LH).

Estrous Cycle

The estrous cycle is regulated by intrinsic hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian rhythm that is modulated by environmental and internal neuroendocrine factors. In domestic animals this cycle is called “Estrous cycle”, and in primates and human this cycle is called “menstruation.”

Phases of Estrous CycleTotal length of estrous cycle in the cow is 21

days. 1. Proestrus: is the period of follicular

maturation and endometrial proliferation following failure of the corpus luteum of the previous cycle. During this phase progesterone level falls while FSH and estrogen level rise for next estrus stage. This stage ranges from 18-20 days of estrus cycle.

Phases of Estrous Cycle

2. Estrus: is the period of sexual receptiveness of animals (female accept male). During this period ovulation occurs in most animals followed by increase secretion of LH hormone. Estrogen hormone declines at the end of this stage. This stage is at just 21 days of estrous cycle.

Phases of Estrous Cycle3. Metestrus: It is the stage of corpus luteum

development and initial phase of progesterone secretion. This stage is from 1-3 days.

4. Diestrus: It is the phase of active corpus luteum and action of progesterone on uterus and other accessory sex gland, e.g. hyperplasia of the uterine gland. However, if pregnancy fails corpus luteum regress by the action of Luteolytic factor PGF2α.

This is the longest period of the estrous cycle and ranges from 4-17 days.

Anestrus

In some animal due to hormonal imbalances or my be due to environmental factor or neurological disorder or may be due to other causes there may be prolonged sexual inactivity and absence of estrous cycle. This situation is called anestrous means absence of estrous.

Length of Estrous Cycle in Animals(indays)

Cow Sow Bitch Primates1. Proestrous 3 2-3 1- 2 wks 2. Estrus ½ 1 9 3. Metestrus 3 3 454. Diestrus 14 12 45---------------------------------------------------------------- 20.5 – 21d. 19d 2m>5. Horse 21d, sheep 17d, Goat 19-21d, cat 14-21d.

Vary

Length of Menstrual Cycle in Primates and Human

There are four phases:1. Menstruation Phase: The fluid contain dead cell, epithelial cell debris of the

uterus and mucus. Average length 3-7 days.

2. Follicular Phase: It starts from day 1 of menstruation. About 20 follicle develop but one oocyte become egg. This happen at day 10 of 28 day cycle.

3. Ovulation: Generally happens at mid cycle. Ovulation time is at 14-15 day of 28 day cycle. The life span of typical egg is 24 hours, after that it die unless meet a spermatozoa.

4. Luteal Phase: The rest of the days of cycle is luteal phase during this time corpus luteum developed and persist if pregnancy happen or regression occur if pregnancy not occur and uterus start to take preparation for next cycle.

Time of Ovulation and duration of estrus in Animals

Time of Ovulation Duration of estrusCattle 12(10-15) hrs. after end of estrus 4-24 hrs

Horse 24(10-15) hrs before end of the estrus 3-9 days

Swine 38-48 hrs. after the onset of estrus 2-3 days

Sheep 18-20 hrs “ “ “ “ 18-72 hrs

Goat Near the end of estrus 22-60 hrs

Dog 1-2 days after onset of estrus 9 days

Age at Puberty in Common Domestic Animals

Species Age at PubertyCattle 8-18 monthsHorse 10-24 monthsSwine 6-8 monthsSheep 6 -15 monthsGoat 4-8 monthsDog 6-20 monthsCat 5-12 months

Histological Changes of the Uterus During Estrus Period in Animals

Proestrus: Under the influence of estrogen the mucosa of the uterus becomes thickend, congested, and edematous with mucin filled epithelium.

Estrus: Endometrial edema and hypermia are maximal.Metestrus: Edema of the endometrium lessens,

breakdown occurs in some of the congested blood vessels.

Diestrus: Under the influence of progesterone the endometrium become secretory type. Glands of the endometrium undergoes coiling, branching and secretory type.

Histological Changes of the Vagina During Estrus Period in Animals

In animals vaginal changes noticed during estrus. At this stage the height of the vaginal epithelium increased.

In other stages of the estrous cycle the height of the vaginal epithelium decreased comparatively.

Practical Class

Students should study:1. Anterior Pituitary Gland.2. Leydig cell of testis.3. Sustentacular cells of the testis4. Prostate gland.5. Granulosa cell layer of ovary6. Corpus luteum7. Endometrium, and8. Pineal Gland.