Reproductive System

• Prostate Gland 


  Produces seminal fluid to create semen and transport sperm
• Epididymis 


  Storage and maturation of sperm
• Penis


  A reproductive organ that becomes erect during sexual intercourse, it excretes semen into the vagina of a female.

  The semen travels through the urethra to the tip of the penis and is ejected out of the body.
• Urethra 


  Transport of sperm and urine
• Vas Deferens (Sperm Ducts)

  Sperm cells pass through the sperm ducts and mix with fluids produced by glands, this provides sperm with nutrients. Mixture of sperm cells and fluid is semen.
• Testicles

  Produce millions of male sex cells (sperm) on the seminiferous tubules and also produce testosterone which affects male body development. Testes are contained in a bag of skin called the scrotum.
• Oviduct (fallopian tube)


  Tube that links ovary to uterus.

  Ovulated oocyte travels down to become fertilised by sperm. Also referred to as the fallopian tube and has cilia to push the eggs down to the uterus.
• Vulva 


  Barrier against sexual infection and bacteria and used during copulation
• Vagina 


  Muscular tube which receives the penis during intercourse and acts as a birth canal (a protective passage for foetus on its journey to expulsion)
• Ovaries 


  Normally 2 present

  Contain hundreds of underdeveloped egg cells that produce eggs for fertilisation and also reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone
• Uterus 


  Nurtures fertilised ovum to develop into a foetus, holding until mature enough for birth.

  The fertilised ovum gets implanted into the endometrium and nourishment is provided from the surrounding blood vessels. The cervix is a ring of muscle at the lower uterus and keeps offspring in place during pregnancy.
• Superfecundation 


  Cats have the ability to have kittens with multiple fathers in the same litter.

  Cats will come into heat multiple times in 1 mating cycle.

  During each time she is in heat she will release eggs and mate.
• Pigs 


  The foetus develops in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus and fallopian tubes are highly coiled.
• Whales 


  The male penis is hidden behind a genital slit and it stays in their body and only comes out when they need to mate
• Oestrus Cycle Hormones 


  FSH- follicle stimulating

  OESTROGEN

  LH- luteinising hormone

  PROGESTERONE
• FSH


  controls oestrus cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs
• Oestrogen 


  Causes the growth and repair of lining of uterus wall, stops FSH and causes a surge in LH
• LH


  triggers release of egg from ovary
• Progesterone 


  prepares the uterus for reception of a fertilised ova and subsequent pregnancy/ gestation and stops release of FSH and LH
• Oestrus cycle stages 


  anoestrus

  Pro- oestrus

  Oestrus

  Metoestrus
• Anoestrus


  End of breeding season/ no activity of reproductive organs
• Pro- oestrus 


  the female will not allow mating but may show increased receptivity to male.

  FSH secretion may cause follicles to develop in ovary and stimulates ovary to release oestrogen.

  Increased amounts of oestrogen cause swelling of vulva and development of bloody vaginal discharge. Oestrogen also induce release of specific hormones responsible for attracting males
• Metoestrus (dioestrus) 


  hormone activity decreases and tissues are less active, if ovum has been fertilised, corpus luteum forms and produces progesterone, oestrogen secretions decrease if pregnancy does not happen and the corpus luteum decreases in size, reducing production of progesterone
• Vulva 


  Barrier against external infection/ bacteria

  Used during copulation
• Vagina

  Birth canal provides a protected passage for foetus on it journey for expulsion

  Protects opening of urethra
• Uterus 


  provides a suitable environment for developing a foetus
• Cervix 


  protecting the uterus from infection

  Opens during copulation
• Oviduct - Fallopian tubes 


  tunnels for ova to travel from ovaries to the uterus

  Fertilisation usually occurs in the fallopian tube
• Ovaries 


  Produce eggs/ hormones
• Uterus - womb

  Provides a stable environment for the developing foetus