MAMMALIAN

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Male Reproductive System
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 The male gonads or testis consist of many highly
coiled tubes and surrounded by several layers of
connective tissue
 The tubes are the seminiferous tubules –where sperm
form through the process of spermatogenesis
 The Leydig cells scattered between the seminiferous
tubules - produce testosterone and other androgens
(the male sex hormones)
 Production of normal sperm cannot occur at the body
temperatures of most mammals.
 The testis of humans and many other mammals are
held outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum.
 The temperature in a scrotum is about 2◦ C below that
in the abdominal cavity.
 From the seminiferous tubules of a testis, the
sperm pass into the coiled tubules of epididymis
 During this passage, the sperm become motile
and gain the ability to fertilize.
 During ejaculation, the sperm are propelled from
the epididymis through the muscular vas
deferens
 Each vas deferens joins a duct from the seminal
vesicle forming a short ejaculatory duct that open
into the urethra
 Three sets of accessory glands (the seminal
vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands) add
secretions to the semen
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 More complicated than male: consists of
structures for production of gametes as well as
incubating fetus and embryo.
 Includes:
 External genitalia: clitoris, two sets of labias.

 Internal reproductive organs: ovaries,

associated ducts, and chambers.
 Bartholin’s glands: located near vaginal
opening; secrete mucous as lubricant.
Function of the Ovaries

1. Oogenesis - production of gamete

2. Secretion of females sex hormones-
estrogen & progesterone
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVcuUFF
cfpY
SPERMATOGENESIS
Spermatogenesis
1

5
Spermatogenesis
1. Primordial germ cell of the embryonic testis
differentiate into spermatogonia (precursors of
sperm)
2. Spermatogonia undergo repeated mitosis and
differentiate into primary spermatocyte
(diploid)
3.The primary spermatocytes undergo the first
division of meiosis and become haploid
4.The second meiotic division produces four
spermatids (haploid)
5. Spermatids then differentiate into mature
spermatozoa or sperm cell
OOGENESIS
 mitosis
1

Oogenesis
3

4
 Oogenesis
1. Oogenesis begins with mitosis of the primordial germ
cell in the embryo, producing diploid oogonia
2. Each oogonium develops into a primary oocyte which
is also diploid
3. Starting at puberty, a single primary oocyte usually
completes meiosis I each month.The first meiotic
division produces the secondary oocyte and a small
polar body
4. If a sperm cell penetrates the
secondary oocyte, the second meiotic
division occurs which produces the
ovum and another polar body. After
meiosis is completed, the haploid
nuclei of the sperm and the mature
ovum fuse in the actual process of
fertilization.
Spermatogenesis and oogenesis both
involve meiosis but differ in three
significant ways.
 1. In spermatogenesis, all 4 products of meiosis become mature
sperm. In oogenesis, one product becomes ovum, the others
become polar bodies.

 2. Spermatogenesis is continuous. Females have all their primary

oocytes by birth.

 3. Spermatogenesis occurs in uninterrupted sequence. In

oogenesis, there’s long "resting periods".
The developmental stages of an ovarian follicle that
accompany oogenesis

1. Each primary oocyte develops within a follicle

2. In response to Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH),
several follicle grow but
3. usually only one follicle matures
4. In ovulation, the follicle ruptures, releasing a secondary
oocyte
5.
6
The remaining follicular tissue develops into the corpus
luteum
6. Corpus luteum disintegrates if fertilization does not
occur. If fertilization occurs, the corpus will secretes
estrogens and progesterone, the hormone that
maintains the uterine lining during pregnancy.
HORMONE REGULATES
REPRODUCTION
Hormonal regulation in males
 Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus stimulates
the secretion of Luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH from anterior pituitary.
These two hormones act on testis.

 LH indirectly involved in spematogenesis, and FSH is directly involved.

 LH - produce testosterone, which is required for spermatogenesis.

 FSH – enhancing spermatogenesis-supporting functions.

 Testosterone also initiates puberty - triggers and maintains the sex drive
and the formation of seconday sexual chracteristics.

 The hormones are regulated by negative feedback. Testosterone directly

inhibits the release of GnRH from hypothalamus and LH from anterior
pituitary.
Hormonal control in females
 GnRH from hypothalamus stimulates secretion of LH and FSH from
anterior pituitary.
 LH and FSH - trigger follicular cells to secrete estrogens. The estrogens -
final follicular maturation.
 On about day 13 of ovarian cycle, high estrogen level exerts positive
feedback on anterior pituitary resulting in a LH surge that peaks on day 14
and triggers ovulation.
 LH transforms remnant of ruptured follicle into corpus luteum. The corpus
luteum produces large amounts of progesterone and moderate amounts
of estrogens.
 The high progesterone concentration exerts negative feedback on
hypothalamus and probably anterior pituitary, resulting in very low
secretion rates of GnRH, LH, and FSH within a few days.
 FEMALE

 In female, the pattern of hormone secretion and the

reproductive events are cyclic
 2 types of cycles occurs in female mammals:
 1. Menstrual cycles : human and primates

 2. Estrous cycles : in other mammals

The Menstrual Cycle is also known as the Uterine cycle

Paralleling the menstrual cycle is an ovarian

cycle
 THE UTERINE CYCLE

 These are the events which occur in the endometrium of the uterus.
a) Menstrual flow phase:
 Day 1 of the cycle

 Menstrual bleeding (loss of endometrium tissue/shedding of the

endometrium tissue accompanied by blood from ruptured capillaries)
 -usually last for a few days

b) Proliferative phase
 the remaining endometrium begins to
regenerate and thicken for a week or two
c) Secretory phase
- 2 week in duration, the endometrium continues to thicken,
become more vascularized and develop glands that secrete a
fluid rich in glycogen
- if an embryo has not implanted in the uterine lining by the end of
the secretory phase, a new menstrual flow commences, marking
day 1 of the next cycle
OVARIAN CYCLE
 Occur in the ovary, has 3 phases:
a) Follicular phase :
- several follicles in the ovary begins to grow
- the egg cell enlarges, and the coat of follicle cell becomes
multilayered
- Only one follicle continues to enlarge and mature while the others
disintegrate
- the maturing follicle develops an internal fluid-filled cavity and
grows very large, forming a bulge near the surface of the ovary.
- The follicular phase ends with ovulation
b) Ovulation
- the mature follicle rupture releasing the oocyte
c) Luteal phase
- The follicular tissue that remains in the ovary after ovulation
develops into the corpus luteum that secretes female hormones
Hormones Regulation In The Ovarian cycle
 5 hormones :
1. GnRh (from hypothalamus)
2. FSH (from anterior pituitary)
3. LH (from anterior pituitary)
4. Estrogen (secreted by the ovaries)
5. Progestrone (secreted by the ovaries)

 During the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, the

anterior pituitary secretes small amounts of FSH and
LH in response to stimulation by GnRH from the
hypothalamus
 At this time, the cells of immature ovarian follicles have
receptors for FSH but not for LH
 FSH stimulates follicle growth, and the cells of this growing
follicles secrete estrogens
 There is a slow rise in the amount of estrogens secreted
during most of the follicular phase
 This small increase in estrogens inhibits secretion of FSH
and LH, keeping the level of FSH and LH low during most
of the follicular phase
 The rate of estrogens secretion by the growing follicles
begin to rise steeply in the late of follicular phase
 A high concentration of estrogens stimulates GnRH which
stimulates FSH and LH
 There is steep increase of FSH and LH levels soon after
the increase in the concentration of estrogens (positive
feedback)
 By now, the follicles have receptors for LH
 The increase in LH concentration caused by increased
secretion of estrogens from the growing follicle induces
final maturation of the follicle and ovulation occurs about a
day after the LH surge
 Following ovulation, LH stimulates the transformation of the
follicular tissue left behind in the ovary to form the corpus
luteum
 Under continued stimulation by LH during the luteal phase
of the ovarian cycle, the corpus luteum secretes estrogens
and progesterone
 The corpus luteum reaches its maximum development
about 8-10 days after ovulation
 As the levels of progesterone and estrogens rise, the
combination of these hormones exerts negative feedback
on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, inhibiting
the secretion of FSH and LH.
 Near the end of the luteal phase, the corpus luteum
disintegrates (if fertilization does not occur)
 And the level of estrogens and progesterone decline
sharply.
 The dropping levels of ovarian hormones liberate the
hypothalamus and anterior pituitary from the
inhibitory effects of these hormones.
 The anterior pituitary then begins to secrete enough
FSH to stimulate the growth of new follicles in the
ovary, initiating the follicular phase of the next
ovarian cycle
 Effects of the ovarian hormones to the menstrual
cycle

 Estrogens - causing the endometrium to thicken

 The follicular phase of the ovarian cycle is coordinated with
the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle
 Before ovulation, the uterus is already being prepared for a
possible embryo
 After ovulation, estrogens and progesterone secreted by
the corpus luteum stimulate continued development and
maintenance of the endometrium, including an
enlargement of arteries supplying blood to the uterine lining
and the growth of endometrial glands that secrete a
nutrient fluid
 Thus the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle is coordinated
with the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle
 The rapid drop in the level of ovarian hormones
when the corpus luteum disintegrates causes spasm
of arteries in the uterine lining and deprive the
endometrium of blood
 Disintegration of the endometrium results in
menstruation and the beginning of a new menstrual
cycle
* Estrogens also responsible for the secondary sex
characteristics of the female
Where does fertilization occur?
 Fallopian tube
 Embryo remains for 3 to 4 days in the uterine
tube to be transported into the uterus
 Uterus – site where of the blastocyst occur
implantation
 Animal produced many babies have a horn
uterus to place the embryo
Maternal and embryonic responses to pregnancy
 Placenta - Secretion of estrogen, progesterone, placental lactogen, etc
 Anterior Pituitary- Increased secretion of prolactin and ACTH
(Adrenocorticotrophic). Secretes very little of FSH and LH
 Adrenal cortex- Increased secretion of aldosterone and cortisol
 The embryo also secretes hormones eg. Human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG)
 HCG acts like LH to maintain secretion of progesterone and estrogens
by the corpus luteum through the first trimester
 Without HCG, the decline in maternal LH would result in
menstruation and abortion
 During the second trimester, HCG declines, the corpus luteum
deteriorates and the placenta secretes its own progesterone which
maintains pregnancy
The Placenta
 High levels of progesterone initiate change in the
pregnant woman’s reproductive system, cessation of
ovulation and menstrual cycling
 Kidneys- Retention of salt and water, cause: increased
aldosterone, vasopresin and estrogen
 Breasts- enlarge and develop mature glandular
structure, cause: estrogen progesterone, prolactin and
placental lactogen
 Blood volume – Increase, cause: erythrocyte is
increased by erythropoeitin and plasma volume by salt
and water retention
 Calcium balance- Positive
 Body weight- increase, 60% is water
 Circulation- cardiac output increase, mean arterial
pressure stay constant
 Respiration- Hyperventilation
 Organic metabolism- metabolic rate increase
 Appetite and thirst- increase
Parturition
 Parturition- delivery of the infant, followed by the
placenta
 Produced by strong rhythmical contractions of the
myometrium
 At the end of pregnancy cervix becomes soft and
flexible which make the canal much more extensible
 This cervical softening is a result of break up of
collagen fibers
 When labour begins at earnest, the uterine
contractions become coordinated and quite strong
and occur approximately 10 to 15 min intervals
 Contractions begin from upper portion of uterus
and sweep downward
 At the onset of labour or before, the amniotic sac
ruptures and the amniotic fluid escapes through
vagina
Stages of labour