Reproductive Flashcards
what are female and males primary sex organs ( gonads)
male: testes
females: ovaries
What do the gonads produce for both male and females
produce the gametes
male: sperm
female: ova/egg
What sex hormones do gonards secrete
males: androgens( testosterone)
females: estrogen and progesterone
What is the path for reproductive hormones
1) hypothalamus secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone( GnRH) to pituitary.
2) pituitary release follicle stimulating hormone( FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) into blood
What are 3 accessory glands in the male reproductive system and what is the purpose
PURPOSE: helps to secrete important stuff into ducts for ejaculation
seminal glands
prostate
bulbo-urethral glands
What is the scrotum
contains paired testes at 34c
needed for successful sperm production
muscles raises testes and keep scrotum close to body
What 2 layers surround the testes
1) tunica vaginalis ( outer)
2) tunica albuginea ( inner, fibrous)
How many lobules do the testes divide into
each testis divides into about 250 lobules containing about 1-4 seminiferous tubules
What is the function of seminiferous tubules
3 sperm functions
produce testosterone and secret it into the interstitial fluid
involved in sperm germination,maturation, motility
What is the role of the spermatic cord in the testes
spermatic cord ( nerve fivers,blood vessels,and lymphatics)
What are the 3 parts of the penis
glans of penis: tip of penis
shaft of penis
foreskin: prepuce
What is erectile tissue and what are the two parts of it
connective tissue and smooth muscle
1) corpus spongiosum: surrounds the urethra
2) corpus cavernosa: contains deep arteries for erection
Define an erection
when the erectile tissue fill with blood
causes penis to become rigid and larger
What are the 4 male ducts and the function
FUNCTION: carry sperm from testes to exterior
1) Epididymis
2) Vas Ductus/ Deferens
3) Ejaculatory Duct ( connect btwn seminal vessicle and prostate)
4) urethra
How long is the epididymis?
What is the function of the epididymis?
about 6m in length
absorbs testicular fluid and passes nutrients to stored sperm
epididymis contracts and forces sperm into the vas deferens
What happens to nonmotile sperm in the epididymis
enters slowly and become motile after 20 days. Can be stored for several months
What is the function of the vas/ductus deferens and what is a vasectomy
join ducts of seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct
vasectomy: cutting and ligating the vas deferens
Where are seminal glands located?
What type of muscle is it made of?
What is the function
posterior to the bladder
made of smooth muscle ( contracts during ejaculation)
produce alkaline seminal fluid
Describe seminal fluid
fluoresces with uv light
70% volume of semen
contains: fructose,citric acid, coagulating enzymes and prostaglandins
Where is the prostate located?
What type of tissue is it made of?
What does it secrete?
beneath the bladder
contains smooth muscle( contracts in ejaculation)
secretes a bit of acidic and milky fluid
What does the milky fluid the prostate secrete made of and what are its functions
contains: citrate,enzymes, and prostate-specific antigens
helps to active sperm
enters urethra in ejaculation
What are 3 diseases related to the prostate
1) Prostatitis
2) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
3) Prostate Cancer
Define prostatitis
inflammation
bacterial infection: treated with antibodies
Define benigh prostatic hyperplasia
enlarged prostate
age related distorts urethra
treated with surgery,microwaves,drugs,and more
Define prostate cancer
1st most common cancer in males
screening for psa levels
treatedwith surgery,radiation,castration or drugs
What are the 6 functions of sperm
1) Suppresses female immune responses
2) ATP for energy
3) enzymes and hormones for sperm motility
4) antibacterial action
5) declotting factors for more fluids semen
6) contains prostaglandins which lower mucus thickness in cervix
What is semen?
what does it contain?
sperm + accessory gland fluids
for every 2-4mL of semen: 20-150 million sperm
contains fructose for ATP production
alkaline which neutralizes urethra and female vagina: enhanced motility
What does the fructose in semen aid in(3)
atp production
protects and activates sperm
allow sperm to move
Explain how a male erection is accomplished?
sexual excitement release nitric oxide ( NO) dilates blood vessels venous blood drainage slows erectile tissues fills with blood penis enlarges and stiffens
Explain how ejaculation is accomplished
semen pushes through from duct system
bladder sphincter muscle constricts ( no urine in the semen)
series of contractions from the bulbospongious muscles
semen expelled at 500 cm/s at climax/orgasm
What is erectile dysfunction and what 5 causes of it
not enough nitric oxide released
1) alcohol
2) drugs
3) hormones
4) blood vessels or nervous system problems
5) veins valves in penis cannot hold back the blood enough
What are the bulbourethral glands and what are the 3 functions
cowper's gland pea sized glands behind the prostate 1)produces a thick, clear mucus during arousal 2)lubricates the glans of the penis 3)neutralizes the acidic pH of uterus
What 2 hormones signal for testosterone to be released at the start of puberty
FSH and LH
How does sperm counts stimulate inhibityory pathways to turn off GnRH and FSH and drop in the sperm count will turn it on again
high sperm count
What are the 2 roles of testosterone in the male body
1) starts spermatogenesis
2) has anabolic effects in the body
What does a deficiency in testosterone cause
atrophy
less semen
complications with erection and ejaculation
What are the 2 roles of the ovaries
1) produces the ova/egg
2) also secretes female sex hormones: estrogen ( estradiol), estrone, estriol and progesterone
What are 3 accessory ducts of the female reproductive system
uterine tubes
uterus
vagina
Define the outer cortex region of the ovaries
contains the forming ova
Define the inner medulla of the ovaries
contains large blood vessels and nerves
Define the ovarian follicles of the ovaries
contains immature egg ( oocyte)
What are the 4 steps in development of the follicles
1) primordial follicles: first follicle cells and oocyte
2) vestibular follicle: fully mature follicle
3) ovulation: ejecting the oocyte from the maturing follicle
4) corpus luteum: develops after ovulation ( after follicle breaks open)
Define the 4 functions of the uterine/fallopian tubes
1) receive the ovulated ovum
2) site of fertilization
3) ovum moved along the ciliary action
4) nonciliated cells give nutrition to ovum and sperm
What is the uterus and what is the function
hollow and thick walled muscular organ that receive,retains,nourish the zygote
What is the fundus of the uterus
top round portion
What is the isthmus of the uterus
bottom,narrow portion ( start of the cervix)
What is the cervix
the neck or outlet of the uterus that connects to the vagina
What is the cervical glands
secrete mucus that blocks sperm entry except during midcycle ( ovulation)
What is the spiral arteries of the uterus
degenerate and regenerate
spasms lead to the shredding of the functionalis
What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall
1) perimentrium( outer layer)
2) myometrium( smooth muscle layer)
3) endometrium( made of stratum functionalis and stratum basalis)
Define stratum functionalis
changes from ovarian hormone cycles
shred during menstration
Define stratum basalis
forms a new functionalis after menstration
unresponsive to ovarian hormones
What is the vagina
birth canal and organ of copulation
thin walled tube
mucosa near vagina orifice forms hymen
What are the 5 external genitalia of the female reproductive system
1) mons pubis: fatty area
2) labia majora: hair-covered fatty skin folds
3) labia minora: skin folds within labia majora
4) clitoris: with a glans and prepuce
5) Bartholin Glands: release mucus for lubrication
Define mammary glands
modified sweat glands with 15-25 lobes
contains lobules which contain grandular alveoli ( produce milk)
Define areola
pigmented skin around nipple
Pathway of milk production
Alveoli> lactiferous ducts> lactiferous sinus leaves the nipple
Where does breast cancer start and what are some of the risk factors(4)
usually arises in the ducts can lead to ovarian cancer
1) early start of menstruation or late menopause
2) no pregnancies or first pregnancies late in life
3) absent breast feeding or only for a short while
4) family history
What mutation is worse in breast cancer
BRCA1 mutations are more serious
high risk of both breast and ovarian cancers
What is oogenesis
making the female gametes
takes years to complete
When does oogenesis begins
begins within the fetus
1) oogonia ( diploid ovarian stem cells) divide via mitosis
2) primary oocytes develop in the primordial follicles
3) then the oocytes go through meiosis and 1 month at ovulation
What occurs after primary oocytes goes through meiosis
2 haploid cells made
1) secondary oocyte: large cell,contains cytoplasm and organelles of original cell
2) first polarbody: small cell, does not contain the organelles
What is the seondary oocyte
ovulated ovum
will deteriorate if not fertilized by sperm
if fertilized it will go through meiosis 2
What occurs if the secondary oocyte is fertalized
1) ovum ( functional gamete)
2) second polar body ( will deteriorate)
Give three facts about spermatogenesis
4 viable sperm
error rate 3-4%
starts at puberty
What are 4 facts about oogenesis
1) 1 viable gamete and 3 polar bodies
2) error rate=20%
3) unequal divisions provide oocytes with enough nutrients for 6-7 days out of uterus
4) all occytes made by time a female is born
What are the 3 phases of the ovarian cycle and what is the time period
28 day cycle
1) follicular phase( period of follicular growth DAY 1-14)
2) Ovulation ( midcycle)
3) Luteal phase ( corpus luteum activity DAY 14-28)
What percentage of women have a 28 day cycle
10-15%
Which parts of the ovarian cycle are constant and which vary
follicular phase varies
luteal phase is constant: always 14 days from ovulation to end of cycle
Define ovulation
ovary wall ruptures and expels the secondary oocyte
Describe the follicular phase
increasing estrogen levels =more stratum functionalis layer
mucus layers in cervix changes consistency from rising estrogen
which will allow sperm to pass through more successfully
ovulation occurs at the end of this period
Describe the luteal phase
endometrium prepares for the embryo
progesterone levels increases,causing
1) mucus plug in cervix
2) endometrial glandssecrete nutrients
Define menstrual cycle
ovarian hormones are the lowest
stratum functionalis
menstraual flow 3-5 days
at about day 5 ovarian follicles produce more estrogen
What happens if fertilization does not occur
the corpus luteum breaks down progesterone levels decrease the spiral arteries kink and spasm the endometrial cells begins to die blood fragments released from the arteries
What are the 4 effects of estrogen
1) promotes oogenesis and follicle growth in ovaries
2) create secondary characteristics( breast, development of fat in breasts and hips, widening and lengthening of the pelvis)
3) keeps total blood cholesterol levels low and HDL levels high
4) helps regulate calcium uptake
What are the 1 effects of progesterone
increases the amount of cervical mucus
What ar e2 reasons placental progesterone is useful
1) stopping uterine motility
2) prepares breasts for lactation
What are the endocrine regulation during early follicular phase
follicles are growing
FSH secretion occurs a bit
LH levels increase slowly
growing follicles increase estrogen production
What are the endocrine regulations during late follicular phase
mature follicles prepares for ovulation
estrogen signals for FSH to secrete less
estrogen levels continue to spike
What are the endocrine regulation during ovulation
ovum released from ovary estrogen levels peak progesterone levels begin to rise LH is released rapidly as LH is released,estrogen levels start to decrease and progesterone increases
What are the endocrine regulation during the lutela phase
progesterone increase from corpus luteum
LH and FSH start decreasing
w/o pregnancy,progesterone levels decrease
What cause female orgasms
start with touch and psychological stimuli
blood fills within the clitoris,breasts, and within the vagina
female orgasms most lively are exclusively stimulated by clitoral stimulation not vaginal
bartholin glands secrete lubrication
orgasm is rhythmic contractions within the uterus and vagina
Define meopause, its symptoms, and how it is treated
from a decline in estrogen levels
occur around 50 years of age
- irritability and depression in some
-hot flashes from vasodilation of skin blood vessels
-gradual thinning of skin and bone loss
-total cholesterol levels to increase and drop HDL
treatment: estrogen
