Chapter 36-1 Reproductive

Systems
Bio 30 NWRC
Human Male Reproductive System

The male
reproductive
glands are the
testes which are
stored in the
scrotum (outside
of the body cavity)
The development
of sperm requires
a temperature
slightly cooler than
the body temp
Sperm Cells
 Sperm Cells
• The Head.
• This has two important
features. The acrosome
contains lytic enzymes which
are released when the sperm
reaches an ovum. These
enzymes digest the outer
membrane of the egg, allowing
penetration of the sperm. The
head also contains a single set
of chromosomes derived from
the male. This will include
either an 'X' or 'Y'
chromosome, because of the
way the XY separate during
meiosis.
 Sperm Cells
• The Middle Section.
• This part, immediately
behind the head,
contains numerous
mitochondria. These
respire sugars in the
semen to generate ATP
in order to provide the
energy for movement of
the tail.
 Sperm Cells
• The Tail.
• This contains
microfilaments running
the length of the tail
(Rhythmic contraction
of the filaments causes
the tail to wave and
move against the fluid
environment, providing
forward motion.
Path of Sperm Cells
• Vas Deferens The vas deferens is
a small tube that connects the
epididymis and ejaculatory duct. It
ascends as part of the spermatic
cord through the lower
abdominal wall
• into the pelvic cavity, and
transmits the sperm to the
ejaculatory ducts.
• Epididymis: A structure within the
scrotum attached to the backside
of the testis. The epididymis is a
coiled segment of the spermatic
ducts that serves to store, mature
and transport spermatozoa
Path of Sperm
Male Hormones
• Testosterone: is a steroid
hormone. In mammals,
testosterone is primarily
secreted in the testes of males
(and also the ovaries of
females), although small
amounts are also secreted by
the adrenal glands. It is the
principal male sex hormone. It
is necessary for the production
of sperm and secondary sex
characteristics (hair growth,
muscle development etc.)
 Male Hormones
• 3 Hormones influence testosterone production
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GNRH1), is
a hormone responsible for the release of FSH
(follicle stimulating hormone) and LH
(luteinizing hormone) from the anterior
pituitary. GNRH1 is synthesized and released
by the hypothalamus. Both travel through the
bloodstream to the testes. FSH promotes
production of sperm and LH stimulates
production of testosterone.
Human Female Reproductive
System
Human Female Reproductive
System
• Oocytes (immature
eggs) are produced in
the ovary
• Once every 28 days
(approx) the oocyte
development is
stimulated and an egg
is released.
• It travels through the
oviduct (fallopian
tube) to the uterus.
Human Female Reproductive System
(video clip) Conception
Ovulation
 Female Hormones
• Estrogen and progesterone are the main
steroid hormones made by the ovaries.
The anterior pituitary also produces LH
and FSH which effect estrogen and
progesterone levels. Estrogen affects the
secondary sex characteristics in women
(breasts and fatty tissue increase,
menstrual cycle begins)
 Sex Cell Production
• Egg Formation –
Unequal division of
the cytoplasm means
that meiosis of the
egg cell results in only
one viable egg cell
 Sex Cell Production
• Sperm formation
follows general
pattern of meiosis and
results in 4 viable
sperm.
The Menstrual Cycle (FFL)
• FFL – Flow, Follicular,
Luteal

• Flow stage-1-5 days

Menstrual cycles are
counted from the first day
of menstrual flow,
because the onset of
menstruation
corresponds closely with
the hormonal cycle.
The Menstrual Cycle
• The menstrual cycle may
be divided into several
phases, and the length of
each phase varies from
woman to woman and
cycle to cycle. Menstrual
flow is the uterus
shedding the blood, and
tissues which build up on
the lining of the uterus
(the endrometrium)
 The Menstrual Cycle
• Follicular stage- Day 6-14 At
the beginning of the follicular
phase, FSH and LH levels are
increased. In the early follicular
phase, after menstrual flow has
ended, the lining of the uterus is
at its most thin.
 The Menstrual Cycle
• Later in the follicular phase,
proliferation (or thickening) of
the uterine lining occurs. This
thickened lining is preparing
for a possible pregnancy.
 The Menstrual Cycle
• Luteal stage-Day 15-28 The luteal phase of the
menstrual cycle begins as ovulation occurs and
continues until Day 1 the next period. (Remember, Day
1 is the day flow starts).During the luteal phase of the
menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone increase,
and work together to create changes in the lining of the
uterus that prepare it to accept an embryo, should
conception occur. When conception ( pregnancy) does
not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels decline, and
the lining of the uterus, called the endometrial lining,
begins to shed, which leads to menstruation again.

• End of 36-1
Assessment
• 1. FSH and LH are
regulated by negative
feedback processes
involving hormones
(testosterone
estrogen and
progesterone). These
hormones regulate
sex cell production
Assessment
• 2. Refer to hand outs!
Assessment
• 3. Sugars are produced
by the seminal vesicles
and provide energy for
the sperm cells. An
alkaline solution is
produced by the prostate
gland and bulbbourethral
glands to neutralize any
acidic conditions the
sperm cells may
encounter is the urethra
or vagina
Assessment
• 4. The endrometrium sheds
the blood, tissue fluid, mucus
and epithelial cells. After about
5 days the endrometrium
begins to repair itself, after
about 12 days ovulation
occurs. The follicle is changed
to the corpus luteum which
produces large amounts of
progesterone and some
estrogen. Late in the cycle the
CL breaks down and stops
producing hormones. The
endrometrium detaches and
the cycle begins again