Reproductive System Flashcards
Function of male reproductive organs
- Production, maturation and storage of spermatozoa
- delivery of spermatozoa in semen into female reproductive tract
What does the male reproductive system include?
‘The structures of the male reproductive system include the testes, the epididymis, the penis, and the ducts and glands that produce and carry semen
What is the structure of testis?
Consists of lobules, containing seminerfous tubules which are supported by the interstitial tissue
Seminiferous tubules
Tubules in testes where soermatogeneis happens
Spermatogenesis
Process of sperm production beginning with spermatogonia dividing and differentiating into spermatozoa
What is the function of hypothalamic pituitary axis ?
- Regulating hormones
- stimulated by gnrh from hypothalamus
What hormones does gonadtropins release?
- FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
LH- luetinizing hormone from anterior pituitary
How are hormones released in male reproductive system ?
Hypothalamus releases gnrh. Gnrh stimulates anterior pituitary to release fsh and lh.
LH stimulates leydig cells to release testosterone.
FSH stimulates steroli cells to release ABP. ABP binds to testosterone- keeping the latter at high concentrations.
Inhibin negatively feeds back to anterior pituitary inhibiting firther release of FSH. Testosterone negatively feeds back to hypothamalyus and pituitary- inhibits further release of FSH LH AND GNRH
Function of testosterone
- initiation of spermatogensis
- stimulates development of male secondary characteristics
- Increases red blood cell volume
- required for sex drive
- negatively feedback to GNRh and lh secretion
- dihydrotestosterone promotes continued growth of adult prostate.
What do androgens help with in all genders ?
- bone density
- muscle development
- puberty
- red cell production
- sexual desire and function
Androgens disorders?
- hypogonadism
- hypergonadism
Function of female reproductive system?
- formation of ova
- reception of spermatozoa
- partuition - childbirth
- lactation
- allows suitable environment for fertilization and foetal development
Function of ovaries ?
- produce and egg or ova each month
- produce hormones- oestrogen, oestrodiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone, inhibin and relaxin
Function of fallopian tubes?
- catch oocyte when released from ovaries
- fertilisation site
- fallopian tubes swept away zygotes into uterus
Uterus function?
- implantation takes places
- provides space and nourishment for developing baby
- expands in size during pregnancy
Vagina function?
- receive sperm from penis
- provides exit of menstrual blood flow
- functions as a birth canal at end of pregnancy
How long is the reproductive cycle?
28 +/-4 days
What is the reproductive cycle ?
Changes take place in ovaries and uterus lining- it is stimulated by blood conc of hormones
What is the zona pellucida?
- acts as a barrier to ensure only one sperm can fertilise the egg- prevents premature implantation.
- blastocyst development
- protection
Theca cells?
Development of follicles, but produces oestrogen and granulosa cells, androgens
Granulosa cells?
Produce follicular fluid- oocyte maturation and follicle growth control
What happens during implantation ?
Blastocyst attaches to wall of uterus. Burrows into. Endometrial lining and receives nutrients and nourishment
Occurs 6-10 days after fertilisation
Pregnanediol glucuronide
Metabolite for progesterone
Released from ovary after ovulation
And confirms ovulations and prepares uterus for pregnancy
Human chorionic gonadotropin
Known as pregnancy hormone released by trophoblasts- ensures survival of corpus luteum
