Week 13 - The reproductive system Flashcards
Primary sex organs - Gonads
Testes and ovaries
- gonads produce reproductive cells (gametes) → sperm and ova
- gonads secrete steroid sex hormones → androgens (male) & oestrogens, progesterone (fem
Sex hormones role
- development and function of the reproductive organs
- sexual behaviour and drive
- growth and development of many other organs and tissues sych as muscle
accessory reproductive organs - male
- ducts
- glands
- external genitalia
regulation of reproductive system
- reproductive system relies on the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis (HPG)
- the HPG axis is the communication between the hypotalamus, pituitary gland & gonads
- hypothalamus releases GONADOTROPIN RELEASES HORMONE (GnRH)
- pituitar gland releases FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) and LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH)
- stimulate the ovaries and testes to produce their hormones including TESTOSTERONE (males) and ESTROGEN & PROGESTERONE (females) which communicate w/ the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Testes
(male gonads)
- located in scrotum
- produce male gametes (sperm)
- secrete TESTOSTERONE
Accessory organs
- epididynis
- vas (ductus) deferens
- seminal , prostate and bulbourethral glands
- urethra
- penis
scrotum and temp regulation of testes
Sperm is not able to be produced at core body temp; cooler temp maintained via 3 mechanisms
- CREMASTER MUSCLE
- in cold temperature or during sexual arousal will contract and pulls testes closer to body - DARTOS MUSCLE (smooth muscle)
- in cold temp will wrinkle skin, reduces surface area of scrotum (reduce heat loss) - VENOUS PLEXUS (veins ascending near testicular artery)
- countercurrent heat exchanger cools arterial blood entering testis
spermatogenesis
- process in which male gametes, or sperm cells, develop
- regulated by hormones from hypothalamus and anterior pituitary glans (HPG axis)
- begins at puberty and continues for duration of lifespan
- occurs in SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES of testes
Sperm cell
- acrosomal cap: contains enzymes essential for fertilisation
- head: contains nucleus and densely packed chromosomes
- neck: chenrioles and microtubules
- middle piece: contains mitochondria arranged around microtubules, provide ATP for movement
- tail: is the only flagellum in human body, moves sperm
Seminal vesicle/ glands
- produces viscous alkaline seminal fluid (~60-70% vol of semen)
- fructose, citric acid, coagulating enzyme (vesiculase), and prostaglandins
- duct of seminal gland joins ductus deferens to form ejaculatory gland
Prostate gland
- encircles urethra inferior to bladder; size of peach put; smooth muscle contracts during ejaculation
- secretes milky, slightly acidic fluid (~1/3 semen vol)
- citrate, enzymes, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
- role in sperm activation
bulbourethral glands
- pea-sized glands inferior to prostate
- produce thick, clear mucus during sexual arousal
- lubricate glans penis
- neutralise traces of acidic urine in urethra
semen
- 2-5ml semen ejaculated, contains 20-150mil sperm/mL
- contains fructose for ATP production; protects and activates sperm; facilitates sperm movement
- alkaline secretions neutralises acidity of male urethra and fem vag & help enhanced motility
- prostaglandins decrease viscosity of mucus in cervix; stimulate reverse peristalsis in uterus
- suppresses female immune response
- antibacterial action
- clotting factors coagulate semen initially to prevent draining out; then liquefied; allowing sperm to start moving through female reproductive tract
the duct system
- sperm travels through a series of ducts bathed in semen secreted by accessory organs.
- semen provides nourishment and support to sperm
Straight tubules and efferent ductules
- ciliated ducts collect sperm the testes and transport it to epididymis
ductus epididymis
- 6m long coiled duct at posterior of testis
- site of sperm maturation and storage (fertile 40-60 days)
ductus deferens ( peristalsis during orgasm)
- muscular tube ~45cm long passing up from scrotum through spermatic cord and inguinal canal to posterior surface of bladder
ejaculatory duct
- a 2 cm duct formed from ductus deferens and seminal vesicle and passing through prostate to empty into urethra
male sexual response - erection
- during sexual arousal a PARASYMPATHETIC REFLEX triggers releases of nitric oxide (NO) from blood vessels endothelial cells; relaxes arteriole walls
→ allow for a large vol of blood to enter tissue
→ inc. blood flow and widening blood sinuses causing an erection - erection is partially sustained by compression of veins that drain penis
- corpus spongiosum does not become as rigid as corpora cavernosa; allows sperm and semen to travel through urethra
Ejaculation
Process to expel semen from penis; under SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM control that occurs in two stages
- Emission: movement of sperm, testicular fluid, and prostate and seminal vesicle secretion into urethra
- Expulsion: occurs as semen, sperm, and fluids from other regions of reproductive system accumulate in urethra
Orgasm
time period during which feelings of pleasure are experienced and coincides w/ ejaculation
- resolution: or relaxation, follows organism and ejaculation; blood vessels CONSTRICT, forcing blood out of penis
- a refreactory period occurs after ejaculation that varies in duration, where a man cannot achieve another organism