Reproduction

Question 1

Where are sperm produced and which cells are they nourished by?

Answer 1

Seminiferous tubules and are nourished by sertoli cells

Question 2

Which cells secrete testosterone and other androgens?

Answer 2

Leydig cells secrete testosterone

Question 3

Pathway of sperm through the male reproductive system

Answer 3

Seminiferous tubules

Epididymis

Vas Deferens

Ejaculatory duct

N (nothing)

Urethra

Penis

Question 4

For females, by birth, all oogonia are considered what?

Answer 4

All oogonia have undergone DNA replication and are primary oocytes halted at prophase I

Question 5

Once a woman reaches her first menstrual cycle, what happens to the primary oocyte?

Answer 5

The primary oocyte continues meiosis I, producing a secondary oocyte and a polar body.

Question 6

At the start of female puberty, what does the hypothalamus release and whats the signaling cascade?

Answer 6

the hypothalamus releases GnRH which targets the anterior pituitary gland.

The pituitary gland releases FSH and LH

Question 7

Which hormones released from the anterior pituitary gland trigger testosterone production and sperm maturation?

Answer 7

FSH stimulates sertoli cells for sperm maturation

LH stimulates Leydig cells for testosterone production

Question 8

What is the importance of estrogen and progesterone in a female?

Answer 8

Estrogen establishes and builds the endometrium lining and progesterone protects it.

Question 9

Describe what happens during the follicular phase

Answer 9

The follicular phase begins when the uterine lining has been shed (menstruation).

GnRH is released from the hypothalamus to secrete LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary to ultimately develop ovarian follicles.

The follicles begin to produce estrogen, which has a negative feedback loop on GnRH,LH, and FSH

Estrogen further supports growth of the endometrial lining

Question 10

What happens during the ovulation phase?

Answer 10

Estrogen is weird where it initially has a negative feedback on GnRH, FSH, and LH but once estrogen is produced in high concentrations there’s a surge in LH hormone. This surge in LH induces ovulation. Ovulation is the release of the ovum from the ovary into the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity.

Question 11

What happens during the luteal phase?

Answer 11

After ovulation, LH causes the ruptured follicle to form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.

Progesterone is the hormone that protects the endometrial lining and prepares it for implantation in case there is fertilization.

High levels of progesterone have a negative feedback on the LH, preventing the ovulation of multiple eggs.