Repro

• Tunica albuginea - a capsule that surrounds each testis
• Each lobule contains one to four seminiferous tubules
• Seminiferous tubules

  • Tightly coiled structures - Function as sperm- forming factories • Empty sperm into the rete testis, 250 meters
• • Sperm travels through the rete testis to the epididymis
• • Interstitial cells produce testosterone
• Epididymis

  • Comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube

  • Found on the superior part of the testis and along the posterior lateral side

  • Functions to mature and store sperm cells (at least 20 days)

  • Expels sperm with the contraction of muscles in the epididymis walls to the vas deferens (ductus deferens)
• Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

  • Carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
  • Passes through the inguinal canal and over the bladder
  • Moves sperm by peristalsis
  • Spermatic cord – ductus deferens, blood vessels, and nerves in a connective tissue sheath
  • Ends in the ejaculatory duct which unites with the urethra •
  • Vasectomy – cutting of the ductus deferens at the level of the testes to prevent transportation of sperm
• Urethra

  • Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis
  • Carries both urine and sperm
  • Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
• Regions of the urethra

  • Prostatic urethra - surrounded by prostate
  • Membranous urethra – from prostatic urethra to penis
  • Spongy (penile) urethra – runs the length of the penis
• Seminal Vesicles

  • Located at the base of the bladder

  • Produces a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of semen)

  • Fructose (sugar)

  • Vitamin C

  • Prostaglandins

  • Other substances that nourish and activate sperm
• Prostate Gland

  • Encircles the upper part of the urethra
  • Secretes a milky fluid
  • Helps to activate sperm
  • Enters the urethra through several small ducts
• Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper's gland)

  • Pea-sized gland inferior to the prostate

  • Produces a thick, clear mucus

  • Cleanses the urethra of acidic urine

  • Serves as a lubricant during sexual intercourse

  • Secreted into the penile urethra
• Semen

  • Mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions

  • Advantages of accessory gland secretions

  •Fructose provides energy for sperm cells

  •Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic environment of vagina •Semen inhibits bacterial multiplication

  •Elements of semen enhance sperm motility
• External Genitalia

  • Scrotum - Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen, Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal body temperature to protect sperm viability
• Vulva - external part of the female reproductive system that is visible.
• Labia majora - thicker skin fold which is composed of fatty tissue
• Labia minora - inner fold that contains rich supply of blood and swells during sexual intercourse.
• Clitoris - anterior junction of the labia minora; highly-sensitive.
• Cervix - neck of the uterus that leads to the vaginal canal. It opens or dilates when the female delivers a baby.
• Vagina - long, elastic, muscular canal that receives the male copulatory organ which transfers the sperm .
• Uterus - muscular organ in which the embryo attaches in its inner lining called the endometrium.
• Ovaries - female gonads that produces ovum or the egg cells.
• Fallopian Tubes (Oviducts) - a pair of tubes along which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus
• The menstrual cycle is the monthly series of changes a woman's body goes through in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, one of the ovaries releases an egg — a process called ovulation.
• Menstrual flow might occur every 21 to 35 days and last two to seven days.
• Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries.
• A woman is born with all her eggs. Once she starts her periods, 1 egg develops and is released during each menstrual cycle.
• Fertilization - a complex multi-step process that is complete in 24 hours. The sperm from a male meets an ovum from a female and forms a zygote
• Without reproduction there will be no babies/humans
• Spermatogenesis - production of sperm cells, begins at puberty, occurs in the seminiferous tubules
• Spermatogonia - sperm cells that are produced
• Parts - head, middle piece and tail
• Uterine Cavity - where dead egg cells pass
• Menstruation - 3-8, no hormone
• Follicular phase - 11-27 days, FSH - to mature the egg
• Ovulation - 12-24 hours, releasing of egg cell, LH, estrogen and progesterone
• Luteal phase - 14 days after ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone, 12- 16 days, LH
• Endometrium - the inner lining of the uterus that is shed at the end of the menstrual cycle
• Common problems

  1. Birth control - period shorter and lighter, some no period
• Common problems