1a Male and Female Reproductive Systems Flashcards
What does seminal fluid contain? - 5
Fructose, citric acid, bicarbonate, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic enzymes
Where are sperm produced?
In the epididymis
Why are the testicles suspended in the scrotum?
To keep them 2-3 degrees lower than the rest of the body
Why is essential that the testicles and therefore the epididymis remains at a suitable temperature?
A small increase in temperature can cause sperm production to stop
What transports sperm from the epididymis to the penis?
Van deferens
What is the spermatic cord?
The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (ductus deferens) and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down to each testicle
What is the function of the seminal vesicle?
The seminal vesicles secrete fluid that will form part of the semen.
What type of nervous stimulation causes an erection?
Parasympathetic stimulation
What type of nervous stimulation causes ejaculation?
Sympathetic stimulation
How does a penis become engorged?
During erection, the corpora cavernosa will become engorged with arterial blood
What muscles make up the penis?
2 x Corpora Cavernosa
1 x Corpora Spongiosum
Where is the spermatic cord formed?
At the deep inguinal ring
What is involved with a vasectomy?
Cutting the vas deferens - this is how the sperm travel from the epididymis to the penis
What is the outer most layer of the testes called?
Tunica vaginalis
What does the tunica vasculosa contain?
Blood vessels
What is the tunica albuginea?
Tunica albuginea is the tough fibrous layer of connective tissue that surrounds the corpora cavernosa of the penis.
What is the arterial blood supply of the testes?
Testicular arteries from the aorta via the spermatic cord
What is the lymphatic drainage of the testes?
Para-aorticlymphnodes
What structures does the spermatic cord contain? - 5
Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus
Autonomic and GF nerves
Lymph vessels
Vas deferens
How many seminiferous tubules would you expect to find in the lobules of the testes?
1-4
In what cavity do the ovaries sit
The peritoneal cavity
What type of movement is engaged to move egg from ovaries into the central part of the reproductive tract?
Peristaltic movement
In what part of the fallopian tube does fertilisation occur in?
In the ampulla - the widest part of the fallopian tube
What supports the uterus?
The tone of pelvic floor and ligaments
What muscles are found on the pelvic floor? - 3
Levator ani and the coccygeus and ligaments
During menses, what is shed?
The endometrium
What is the endometrium?
The lining of the uterus
What is found 1 cm lateral to the uterus? and why is this clinical relevant?
Ureter - cervical cancer spread to the ureter
How are all areas superior to the cervix stable?
The presence of lactobacillus bacteria - they secrete lactic acid and lower the pH meaning it kills and inhibits the growth of other bacteria
What can occur when the vagina flora is disrupted?
Infection, as there is nothing to kill possible bacteria which may enter into the vagina
What supplies the female reproductive system with arterial blood?
Ovaries supplied from the ovarian arteries
Uterus / Vagina from the uterine arteries
What is the lymphatic drainage of the ovaries?
Para-aortic lymph nodes
What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterus/vagina? - 4
Iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes
Where does spermatogenesis occur?
In the infratubular compartment of the seminiferous tubules
How long does it take for sperm to be ready for release?
64 days
What is the genotype of a primary spermatocyte?
44XY
What is the genotype of a secondary spermatocyte which has undergone meiosis 1?
22X or 22Y
What is the name given to the product of meiosis 2 in spermatogenesis?
Spermatid
What is the genotype of a sperm?
22X or 22Y
What are the three layers of the uterus called?
Endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium
What happens after the oocyte and sperm fuse?
The fusion of the secondary oocyte and sperm causes a calcium influx, produces OVA
What happens to the oogonia in the 2nd trimester?
All the oognia in the foetus develop into primary oocytes forming primordial follicles
What is a polar body?
A halpoid cell with basically no cytoplasm - formed as it separates from the oocyte during meiosis
What is the outermost layer of the seminiferous tubules called?
Tunica propria
What are spermatogonium?
a cell produced at an early stage in the formation of spermatozoa, formed in the wall of a seminiferous tubule and giving rise by mitosis to spermatocytes
What receptors do Sertoli cells contain?
FSH receptors
What is the function of the Sertoli cells?
To support the developing germ cells and assist the movement of germ cells to tubular lumen
From where to where do Sertoli cells transfer nutrients?
From capillaries to developing germ cells
Where is FSH secreted from?
The anterior pituitary
Where is Anti-Mullerian hormone produced?
The gonads
What does Anti-Mullerian Hormone do?
It aids the regression of the malarian ducts in male sex development - otherwise the male would form fallopian tube
What does Androgen-Binding Protein do?
Helps direct testosterone from the Leydig cells to the germ cells
Where are Leydig cells found?
Between the seminiferous tubules
Why do leydig cells have a pale cytoplasm?
They contain alot of cholesterol
What receptors do Leydig cells have?
LH receptors
What indicates that Leydig cells make hormones/
They contain alot of cholesterol and hormones are derived from cholesterol
Apon LH stimulation, what is released from the Leydig cells?
Testosterone, Androstenedione and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
How many sperm are produced per second?
1500 per second
When does gametogenesis start?
At the start of puberty
What is produced from spermatogenesis?
Mature spermatozoa
What process occurs in the male testes?
Spermatogenesis
What process occurs in the female ovaries?
Oogenesis
What is the difference in fertility between men and women?
Women have finite fertility (up until menopause) whereas men have infinite fertility
What are the three oestrogens?
Oestradiol, Oestrone and Oestriol
What are the three androgens in males?
Testosterone, Androstenedione and DHEA
What does relaxin do?
Relaxin is a hormone produced by the ovary and the placenta with important effects in the female reproductive system and during pregnancy. In preparation for childbirth, it relaxes the ligaments in the pelvis and softens and widens the cervix.
What does the hormone inhibin do?
It inhibits the synthesis and release of the follicle-stimulating hormone in the pituitary gland and reduces the hypothalamic LH - releasing hormone content.
Where is inhibin produced in men and women?
Men = sertoli cells
Women = granulosa cells
Where is seminal fluid mainly produced?
Accessory sex glands
What are the accessory glands?
Seminal vesicles
Prostate
Bulbourethral glands
why do the spermatogonia undergo differentiation and self renewal?
Ensures that there is a continual pool available for subsequent spermatogenic cycles through lifetime - continual fertility
What secretes progesterone and oestrogen during folliculogenesis?
Corpus luteum
During pregnancy, what produces progesterone and oestrogen?
Placenta
What cell is associated with the outer part of the ovarian follicle?
Theca