Reproductive physiology

Question 1

What decides your gender normally

Answer 1

Biological sex

Question 2

What r essential precursors 2 pregnancy

Answer 2

production of gametes, and the process of fertilisation, are essential precursors to human pregnancy

Question 3

What r the major components of the male reproductive system

Answer 3

The major components are testis, epididymis, vas deferens and ejaculatory duct of each side, and the urethra
and penis in the midline

Question 4

What glands are associated with the system

Answer 4

3 types of accessory glands are associated with the system: A single prostate, a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair
of bulbourethral gland (Cowper’s gland)

Question 5

What do the testis contain

Answer 5

Seminferous tubules, Leydig & Sertoli cells

Question 6

What do the seminferous tubules do

Answer 6

produce sperm

Question 7

What do the leydig cells do

Answer 7

Produce testosterone & some other androgens

Question 8

What is another name for Leydig cells

Answer 8

Interstitial cells

Question 9

What does the epididymis do

Answer 9

Sperm are released from the
testis and stored here prior to
ejaculation

Question 10

What happens at Ejaculation

Answer 10

At ejaculation sperm passes through the
two Vas Deferens (which are contractile),
and are mixed with fluid from the seminal
vesicles
The fluid then leaves the ejaculatory duct,
and passes into the urethra where it
mixes with secretions from the prostate
gland

Question 11

Describe the hormonal regulation of the male reproductive system

Answer 11

FSH and LF are secreted from the anterior pituitary, stimulated by GnRH from the hypothalamus
Leydig cells respond the LH and secrete testosterone (inhibitory effect on the axis) and other androgens
Sertoli cells are the “Nurse” cells of the testicles and is part of a seminiferous tubule
Activated by FSH and secrete inhibin for negative feedback

Question 12

What is the function of sertoli cells

Answer 12

Main function is to nourish the developing sperm cell through the stages of spermatogenesis

Question 13

How many sperm are produced a day

Answer 13

The overall production of sperm is estimated to up to 200 million sperm per day

Question 14

What is the name of the process and first and final cells that form mature sperm

Answer 14

Spermatogonium (an undifferentiated male germ cell) undergoes spermatogenesis to form mature
spermatozoa

Question 15

Where are mature spermatozoa found

Answer 15

in the seminiferous tubules of the testis

Question 16

Describe the names of the cells at each stage of spermatogenesis

Answer 16

 Mitotic division of the spermatogonia  1° spermatocytes  1
st mitotic division  2° spermatocytes
(haploid)  Spermatids  Spermatozoa

Question 17

What has parallel functions to the testes
AND
What do these organs do

Answer 17

The ovary has parallel functions to the testes, in that they produces the gametes (oocytes) and the steroids
needed for female reproductive function (progesterone and estrogens).

Question 18

What is the function of the fallopian tube/oviduct

Answer 18

The Fallopian tube (oviduct) through which the oocyte reaches the uterus. It provides an appropriate
environment to sustain either an oocyte or a conceptus
(fertilised oocyte).

Question 19

What is the function of the uterus

Answer 19

The uterus is where the conceptus normally implants and is

supported throughout pregnancy

Question 20

Where are thecal AND granulosa cells found

Answer 20

Within developing follicles

Question 21

What is the function of thecal cells

Answer 21

The thecal cells of the developing follicles are
responsible for production of oestrogen precursor called
androstenedione. They have LH receptors.

Question 22

What do inner granulosa cells contain that allows them to perform their function

Answer 22

The inner granulosa cells contain aromatase to produce
progesterone and oestrone which turns into oestradiol. They have FSH
receptors

Question 23

What happens in initial recruitment

Answer 23

Recruitment
Initial recruitment is gonadotrophin independent and involves the
differentiation of primordial follicles into 1° and preantral follicles, the
majority of which undergo atresia(whither away) prior to puberty

Question 24

What occurs after puberty and is independent of gonadotrophin

Answer 24

Cyclic recruitment occurs after puberty and is gonadotrophin dependent

Question 25

Describe what cyclic recruitment involves

Answer 25

Cyclic recruitment involves the growth and development of antral follicles through to mature preovulatory follicle selection and ovulation or atresia

Question 26

How long does cyclic recruitment occur

Answer 26

This process continues throughout a female’s reproductive lifespan until the
primordial follicle pool is depleted

Question 27

When do secondary oocytes develop

What does it produce

Answer 27

These inactive ovaries persist until puberty when meiosis resumes as 2° follicles develop

o 2° oocyte are formed and are haploid + 1st polar body

Question 28

How long does the menstrual cycle last

Answer 28

The cycle lasts 21-35 days in adult females, usually 28 days

Question 29

How long can the menstrual cycle last in extreme cases

Answer 29

younger teenagers may be up to 45 days

Question 30

What occurs on day 1 & starts the cycle

Answer 30

Menstruation occurs on Day 1  shed blood (20-80ml) and endometrial lining, remaining is a thin basal
endometrium

Question 31

What does the menstrual cycle consist of

Answer 31

Consists of 2 related cycles: Overian & Endometrial cycle

Question 32

Describe the phases and lengths of the Ovarian cycle

Answer 32

Ovarian Cycle
 Follicular Phase (first 14 days)
 Ovulation (mid-cycle) (Day 14)  Basal body temperature ↑ 0.5°C
 Luteal Phase (next 14 days)

Question 33

Describe the phases and lengths of the Ovarian cycle

Answer 33

Ovarian Cycle
 Follicular Phase (first 14 days)
 Ovulation (mid-cycle) (Day 14)  Basal body temperature ↑ 0.5°C
 Luteal Phase (next 14 days)

Question 34

What occurs in the follicular phase

Answer 34

Repair and Proliferative Phase

Question 35

What stimulates the growth of the follicle in the follicular phase

Answer 35

Growth of ovarian follicle stimulated by FSH and LH

Question 36

What do these follicles produce

Answer 36

 These follicles (Thecal and granulosa cells) start growing stimulate and they produce 17BETA-oestradiol

Question 37

What does 17 beta oestradiol do

Answer 37

17BETA-oestradiol stimulates the proliferation of endometrial cells
 Increasing their thickness up to 2-3 fold
o The number and length of glands & length of arteries ↑

Question 38

What happens at the end of the follicular phase

Answer 38

• At late-follicular phase
-Oestrogen negative feedback to HPG axis switches transiently to positive feedback
causes LH and FSH surge
• LH stimulates ovulation

Question 39

What happens at the end of the follicular phase

Answer 39

• At late-follicular phase
-Oestrogen negative feedback to HPG axis switches transiently to positive feedback
causes LH and FSH surge
• LH stimulates ovulation