HUMAN REPRODUCTION

IMPORTANT EVENTS :-
1. GAMETOGENESIS.
2. INSEMINATION.
3. FERTILISATION.
4. BLASTOCYST DEVELOPMENT.
5. IMPLANTATION.
6. GESTATION.
7. PARTURITION ( CHILD BIRTH ).
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM :- IT CONSISTS OF :-
 1. PRIMARY SEX ORGANS :-A PAIR OF TESTES.
 2. SECONDARY SEX ORGANS :-DUCT SYSTEM & THE ASSOCIATED GLANDS.
 3. EXTERNAL GENITALIA.

I. TESTIS :-
1. The testes are located outside the abdominal cavity
within a pouch called SCROTUM. Scrotum provides a
temperature 2 – 2.5 C lower than the body temp.,
necessary for Spermatogenesis.
2. Each Testis is Oval in shape ( 5 X 3 cm. )
3. Covered by a dense covering – Tunica Albuginea.
4. Internally each testis is divided into 250 compartments
cxalled Testicular Lobules. Each lobule contains 1 – 3
highly coiled Semineferous Tubules ( Structural &
Functional unit ) in which Sperms are produced.
5. Each Seminiferous Tubule is lined internally by
Seminiferous / Germinal Epithelium.
6. The Germinal Epithelium consists of two types of cells :-
Sertoli cells & Spermatogonium.( Male Germ Cells )
Sertoli Cells provide nutrition & shape to the developing Germ Cells & Spermatozoa.
7. The Spermatogonia undergo cell dovisions to form Spermatozoa.
9. The interstitial spaces between Semineferous Tubules have connective tissue, which includes blood
vessels & Leydig cells ( Interstitial cells ).
10. Leydig cells synthesise & secrete male sex hormones – Androgens ( Ex. Testosterone.)

II. DUCT SYSTEM :-It includes Rete Testis, Vasa

efferentia, epididymis & Vas deferens.
a) The seminiferous tubules of the testis lead to rete
testis which in turn open into Vasa efferentia.
b) The Vasa efferentia leave the testis and open into
epididymis.
c) Epididymis leads to Vas deferens.
d) The vas deferens ascends to the abdomen and
loops over the urinary bladder.
e) It receives a duct from Seminal vesicle and opens
into urethra as Ejaculatory duct.
All these ducts temporarily store & transport the
sperms from the testis to the outside through
urethra.
III. EXTERNAL GENITALIA :- PENIS.
IV. MALE ACCESSORY GLANDS :- (Three)
a) SEMINAL VESICLE
b) PROSTRATE GLAND
c) BULBOURETHRAL GLAND
Each of these glands constitute the seminal plasma which is rich in fructose, calcium & certain enzymes.
The secretion of Bulbourethral glands also helps in the lubrication of Penis.
THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM :- It consists of
1. A pair of Ovaries along with a pair of Oviducts, Uterus, Cervix, & Vagina.
2. External Genitalia :- Located in Pubic Region.
These parts of the system along with a pair of the mammary glands are integrated structurally &
functionally to support the process of ovulation, fertilisation , pregnancy , birth & child care.
1. OVARY :-
a) The primary female sex organs that produce the female gametes ( Ovum/ Egg ) & several Steroid
Hormones ( Ovarian Hormones ).
b) Ovaries – located one on each side of the lower abdomen.
c) Each ovary is about 2 – 4 cm in length & is connected to the pelvic wall & Uterus by Ligaments.
d) Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the Ovarian Stroma.
e) The Stroma is divided into two zones – a Peripheral Cortex & an inner Medulla.
2. DUCT SYSTEM :-
The Oviducts ( Fallopian Tubes ), Uterus & Vagina constitute the female accessory ducts.
a) Each fallopian tube is about 10 – 12 cm long & extends from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus,
the part closer to the ovary is the funnel shaped – Infundibulum.
b) The edge of the Infundibulum possess finger – like projections called Fimbriae, which help in collection
of the ovum after ovulation.
c) The infundibulum leads to a wider part of the oviduct called ampulla.
d) The last part of the oviduct – Isthmus has a narrow lumen & it joins the uterus..
UTERUS :-
a) The Uterus ( Womb ) is single & it is Inverted Pear Shaped. It is supported by Ligaments &
attached to the pelvic wall.
b) Uterus opens into the Vagina through a narrow cervix . The cavity of the Cervix is called Cervical
Canal which along with Vagina called Birth Canal.
c) The Uterine wall has three layers of Tissue :-
i.Perimetrium:- ( Outermost, thin & membranous )
ii. Myometrium :-(Middle layer , thick , made of smooth muscles )
iii. Endometrium :- Innermost , Glandular layer. It undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual
Cycle.
VAGINA :-
a) It is the muscular tube like structure that opens to the outside.
b) The Vagina is partially covered by a membrane called Hymen.
c) The cervix & Vagina together constitute – Birth Canal.
d) Functions of Vagina are :- To
Receive the male gametes during insemination,
Serve as the Birth Canal during Parturition.

EXTERNAL GENITALIA :- It includes :- Mons Pubis, Labia Majora, Labia Minora , Clitoris & Hymen.
a) Mons Pubis – Cushion like Fatty Tissue covered by skin & Pubic Hairs.
b) It extends as a pair of fleshy folds of tissue called Labia Majora & surrounded by Vaginal opening.
c) The Labia Minora are paired folds of tissue under Labia Majora. It also surrounds the vaginal opening
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GAMETOGENESIS :-

STAGES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE :-

The sequence of events are as follows :-
I. MENSTRUAL PHASE :-
a) The cycle starts with this phase & the menstrual flow lasts for 3-5 days.
b) It results due to break down of Endometrial Lining of the uterus & its blood vessels along with the
unfertilised ovum.
II. FOLLICULAR PHASE / PROLIFERATIVE PHASE :-
a) In this phase the primary follicle in the ovary grows into a mature Graafian follicle.
b) The endometrium of the uterus is regenerated by proliferation of its cells.
c)These changes are due to an increased level of pituitary hormone i.e. FSH & LH and Ovarian Hormone
Estrogen.
e) FSH controls the follicular phase . It stimulates the growth of follicles and secretion of estrogen by
growing follicles.
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III. OVULATORY PHASE :- The peak level of LH in the middle of the cycle ( 14th day ) induces the rupture of the
mature Graafian Follicle and thereby the release of ovum . This process is called Ovulation.
IV. LUTEAL PHASE/ SECRETARY PHASE :-
a) The ruptured Graafian Follicle is transformed into Corpus Luteum. It secretes large amount of
Progesterone which is essential for maintenance of Endometrium. Such an Endometrium is necessary
for implantation of the fertilised ovum & other events of pregnancy.
b) In the absence of Fertilisation, Corpus Luteum degenerates & this causes disintegration of
Endometrium leading to Menstruation.

INSEMINATION and FERTILISATION:- The transfer of Semen into the vagina by physical contact
( sexual contact ) between male & female partners or artificial means is called Insemination.
1. The motile sperms move through the cervix, enters the uterus & reach the Ampullary Isthmic Junction
of the fallopian tube.
2. The ovum released from the ovary also reaches the Ampullary Isthmic Junction where fertilisation
takes place.
3. A sperm comes in contact with the Zona Pellucida of the Ovum & induces changes in the membrane to
block the entry of other sperms.
3. The enzymes of the acrosome of sperm help to dossolve Zona Pellucida & Plasma membrane of the
ovum to gain entry of the sperm into the cytoplasm of the ovum.
4. The entry of the sperm induces the completion of second meiotic division of the secondary oocyte, that
results in the formation of a haploid Ootid & the second polar body.
5. Even before the nucleus of the ootid is organised, it fuses with the spertm nucleus( fertilisation ) to
form a diploid zygote.
Q. With the help of labelled diagram , describe the stages of embryonic development upto implantation.
Ans :- 1. CLEAVAGE :- The zygote undergoes successive mitotic division called cleavage as it moves
through fallopian tube towards the uterus.The daughter cells are called blastomeres.
2. MORULA :- At the sixteen celled stage the embryo is a solid sphere and is called a MORULA.
3. BLASTOCYST :-Cell division continues in the Morula & there is some movement & rearrangement of
cells. This leads to the development of a blastocyst which shows three structures :-
 a) TROPHOBLAST :- outermost cellular layer.
b) INER CELL MASS :-
BLASTOCOEL :- Hollow
space.

IMPLANTATION :- It is the process

by which the Embryo gets embedded
into the wall of the uterus.
After attachment the uterine cells
divide rapidly & covers the
blastocyst. Implantation leads to
pregnancy.
Q. What is placenta? How does it
develop? What is its importance?
The structural & functional unit
between developing embryo ( foetus) and maternal body due to the
interdigitation of chorionic villi and Uterine Tissue is called Placenta.
Importance of Placenta :-
a) It facilitates the supply of Oxygen & nutrients to the embryo.
b) It also helps in the removal of carbon dioxide & excretory waste materials produced by the embryo.
c) Placenta also acts as an endocrine tissue & produces Hormones :- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
( hCG), Human Placental Lactogen ( hPL ),Estrogens & Progestogens.
FATE OF INNER CELL MASS :-
1. Immediately after implantation the inner cell mass differentiates into an outer layer called Ectoderm &
an inner layer called Endoderm.
2. A Mesoderm soon appears between the ectoderm & Mesoderm.
These three Germinal Layers give rise to all tissues & organs in adults.
STEM CELLS :- Certain cells of the inner cell mass which have the potency to give rise to all the tissues and
organs of the body are called stem cells.
DELIVERY/ PARTURITION
The vigorous contraction of the uterus at the end of pregnancy causes expulsion / delivery of the foetus.
This process of delivery of the foetus is called Parturition.
2. Parturition is induced by a complex neuroendocrine mechanism called FOETAL EJECTION REFLEX.
FOETAL EJECTION REFLEX :-
1. The signals of parturition originate from the fully developed foetus & placenta which induce mild
uterine contractions called Foetal Ejection Reflex.
2. This triggers release of Oxytocin from the maternal Pituitary. Oxitocin acts on the uterine muscles and
causes stronger uterine contractions, which in turn stimulates further secretion of oxytocin.
3. The stimulatory reflex between the uterine contraction & oxitocin secretion continues resulting in
stronger & stronger contractions.
This leads to the expulsion of the baby out of the uterus through the birth canal.
LACTATION
It is the process of synthesis of milk in the mammary gland towards the end of the pregnancy.
COLOSTRUM :- The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation is called colostrum. It contains
several antibodies which are absolutely essential to develop resistance for the new born babies. That is why
for bringing up a healthy baby breast feeding during the initial period of infant growth is recommended by
doctors for bringing up a healthy baby.