THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What is the basic structure and function of the

male and female reproductive system?

What are the common diseases that affect the

male and female reproductive system?

COURSE STANDARD 8

Analyze the anatomy, physiology, and basic pathophysiology of the reproductive system, and perform technical skills related to the system.

8.1 Analyze the basic structures and functions of the reproductive system.

8.2 Identify and explain medical terms related to the reproductive system, and utilize when documenting in the electronic medical record.

8.3 Research common diseases, disorders, and emerging diseases of the reproductive system including pathophysiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment that might be utilized.

8.4 Compare and contrast the reproductive system of the female with the reproductive system of the male.

8.5 Explain the relationship of the endocrine system to the function of the reproductive system.

8.6 Demonstrate appropriate technical skills related to the reproductive system for selected pathway.

REPRODUCTION

Sexual Reproduction

Each parent contributes half of the genetic material

for each offspring

Asexual Reproduction

Offspring are clones or genetic copies

Plants

OVERVIEW

Primary sex organs (gonads)

testes in males

ovaries in females

Gonads produce sex cells called gametes and

secrete sex hormones

Accessory reproductive organs

ducts, glands, and external genitalia

Sex hormones

androgens (males)

estrogens and progesterone (females)

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Each parent produces a Gametes, cells for

reproduction that contain half as many

chromosomes as a norm cell

Fertilization is the formation of a single cell

contain the genetic material from two gametes

Zygote: fertilized cell produced by the combining

of gametes

EMBRYONIC AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Seventh week of development embryos with the

“Y” chromosome will develop male sex organs

Those without will develop ovaries

The default plan is female

At the time of birth follicle-stimulating hormone

(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) begin to

decline rapidly in the new born and remain low

for 8-14 years

PUBERTY

Final maturation of the reproductive system

Initial stimulus for puberty is elevated secretion

of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by

the hypothalamus

This causes the pituitary to produce more FSH

and LH

Stimulates the production testosterone in males

Estrogen and progesterone in females

FEMALES AND PUBERTY

First phase is breast growth

Secondary sex characteristics:

Axillary hair and pubic hair

Gradual changes in pelvic width (female shape)

Skeletal growth accelerates

Menarche: fist menstrual cycle

Occurs about two years after beginning puberty

Irregular for the first 1-2 years

FEMALE HORMONES

MALES AND PUBERTY

First visible phase is the growth of the scrotum

and testes

Secondary sex characteristics:

Axillary hair and pubic hair

Increase in size of the larynx and length of vocal folds

(voice deepens)

Penis growth

First few years typically experience erections at

unexpected times and emission of semen during

sleep

Toward end of puberty mature sperm are present

in the semen

MALE HORMONES

FUNCTIONS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM

Male

Generate sperm (spermatogenesis)

Deliver sperm to site of fertilization

Female

Generate eggs (oogenesis)

Deliver eggs for fertilization

Nourish developing embryo/fetus

Give birth

Provide liquid nourishment to baby after birth

MALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY

The male gonads (testes) produce sperm and lie

within the scrotum

Sperm are delivered to the exterior through a

system of ducts: epididymis, ductus deferens,

ejaculatory duct, and the urethra

Accessory sex glands:

Empty their secretions into the ducts during

ejaculation

Include the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and

bulbourethral glands

MALE

SCROTUM

Sac of skin and superficial fascia that hangs

outside the abdominopelvic cavity at the root of

the penis

Contains paired testicles separated by a midline

septum

Its external positioning keeps the testes 3oC

lower than core body temperature (needed for

sperm production)

SEMEN

Milky white, sticky mixture of sperm and

accessory gland secretions

Provides a transport medium and nutrients

(fructose), protects and activates sperm, and

facilitates their movement

Prostaglandins in semen:

Decrease the viscosity of mucus in the cervix

Stimulate reverse peristalsis in the uterus

Facilitate the movement of sperm through the female

reproductive tract

Typical volume during ejaculation = 2 to 5 mL

20 million to 150 million sperm cell per mL

ERECTION

Enlargement and stiffening of the penis from

engorgement of erectile tissue with blood

During sexual arousal, a PNS reflex promotes the

release of nitric oxide

Nitric oxide causes erectile tissue in the penis to

fill with blood

Impotence – inability to attain erection

WHAT IS A VASECTOMY?

Prevents the release of sperm with ejaculation

Vas deferens is sealed or cut and prevents the

sperm from mixing with Semen

MALE

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY

Principle Organs:

Ovaries

Uterine tubes

Uterus

Vagina

FEMALE

FEMALE

FEMALE

FEMALE

FEMALE

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE

Generate eggs (oogenesis)

Deliver eggs for fertilization

Nourish developing embryo/fetus

Give birth

Provide liquid nourishment to baby after birth

OOGENESIS

Oogenesis begins in the ovaries of the female fetus before birth

An increase in FSH (puberty) triggers the further development and an oocyte is release from the ovary (ovulation)

The oocyte will then travel through the Uterine Tube (Fallopian tube or Oviduct) and to the Uterus

UTERUS

Muscular organ

Mechanical protection

Nutritional support

Waste removal for the developing embryo and fetus

Myometrium – outer muscular layer

Endometrium – a thin, inner, glandular mucosa

Perimetrium – an incomplete serosa continuous

with the peritoneum

FEMALE SEX CYCLE

Monthly or menstrual cycle

Varies from 21 to 40 days (usually 28 days)

Involves cyclic changes

hormone secretion

ovary

uterus

THE FEMALE CYCLE

THE FEMALE CYCLE

MENOPAUSE

Greek words: “month” and “cessation”

Marked by irregular and eventually complete

cessation of menstruation

Accompanied by hormonal changes

dramatic reduction in the production of estrogen

Perimenopause

Memory less sharp, mood swings, menstrual periods

erratic, hot flashes, insomnia

AMENORRHEA

Absence of menses

Primary amenorrhea

Absence of menses by age sixteen even with normal

sexual growth

Secondary amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual periods after menstrual cycles

have occurred previously

Physiological cause: pregnancy, menopause

Pathologic cause: CNS disorders, extreme stress or

exercise, anorexia nervosa, pituitary gland disorders

DISORDERS AND DISEASES

The Reproductive System

CANCER

Prostate Cancer

Second highest incidence among men

PSA blood test

Cervical cancer

Papanicolaou test (Pap smear)

Most cases caused by HPV

Uterine cancer and Ovarian cancer

Hysterectomy (complete or partial)

Breast cancer

Mammography (mammogram

GENITAL DISORDERS - MALE

1. List the structures that compose the male

reproductive system.

2. What is spermatogenesis?

3. List two things that can cause male infertility.

4. What is impotence?

5. What things can lead to secondary impotence?

6. Who has an increased risk for carcinoma of the

penis?

7. What is priapism?

8. What has diminished the severity of many

genital cancers in men?

GENITAL DISORDERS - FEMALE

1. What is endometriosis and what symptoms do women with it typically experience?

2. What is vaginitis? What are the three most common causes?

3. What are uterine fibroids?

4. What occurs with a uterine prolapse?

5. What causes ovarian cysts to form?

6. What procedure is used to detect cervical cancer?

7. How is a prolapsed uterus treated?

8. What surgical procedure has replaced the hysterectomy and helped preserve the uterus?

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. What are gonads?

2. What are the male gonads and where are they located?

3. What is the function of the epididymis?

4. What are the female gonads?

5. What is hermaphroditism?

6. What occurs with a inguinal hernia?

7. What can cause a uterine prolapse?

8. What is endometriosis?

9. What causes polycystic ovary syndrome?

10. What percentage of men experience an enlarged prostate gland with age?

11. What is castration?

12. What is circumcision?

13. What is female circumcision?

THE END