Reproductive system Exam lab 4

• Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)


  Produced by the hypothalamus, stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)


  Regulate gonadal (gonads) function
• FSH


  • Stimulates gamete production and maturation, promotes ovarian follicle growth in females, stimulates Sertoli cells and inhibin production in males
• LH


  • Triggers ovulation in females, stimulates ovarian hormone production, stimulates testosterone production in males
• Prolactin (PRL)


  Promotes lactation in women, contributes to mammary gland development during pregnancy, secretion inhibited by dopamine, except during pregnancy
• Oxytocin


  • Stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth, promotes milk ejection during breastfeeding, contributes to parent-infant bonding and emotional responses
• Hormones


  • Estrogens
  • Progesterone
  • Inhibin
• Estrogens


  • Develop female reproductive structures, regulate menstrual cycle, induce secondary sex characteristics
• Progesterone


  • Prepares and maintains the uterus for pregnancy, regulates menstrual cycle
• Inhibin


  Inhibits FSH secretion
• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)


  Produced by the placenta during pregnancy, supports progesterone synthesis, suppresses maternal immune function to prevent rejection of the fetus
• Testosterone


  Primary male sex hormone, produced by Leydig cells in testes, promotes male reproductive system development, spermatogenesis, libido, and secondary sex characteristics
• Female reproductive system


  • Produces gametes (oocytes)
  • Produces reproductive hormones
  • Supports fetus development and childbirth
• Location of female reproductive system


  • Primarily inside the pelvic cavity
• Key organs of female reproductive system

  • Ovaries
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
  • External genitalia (vulva)
  • Breasts
• Ovaries


  • Female gonads
  • Produce oocytes and hormones
  • Supported by ligaments
• Fallopian tubes


  • Connect ovaries to the uterus
  • Site of fertilization
• Corpus luteum


  • Forms from follicle after ovulation
  • Produces progesterone
  • Critical for pregnancy maintenance
• Fallopian tubes


  • Conduits for oocyte from ovary to uterus
  • Divided into isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum
  • Lined with ciliated epithelium
• Fallopian tube function


  • Site of fertilization
  • Movement aided by muscular contractions and cilia
• Uterus


  • Muscular organ with fundus, body, cervix
  • Wall layers: perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium
  • Endometrium thickens in response to hormones
• Uterus function


  • Nourishes and supports embryo/fetus
  • Menstrual shedding occurs if no implantation
• Breasts


  • Nipple surrounded by areola
  • Milk produced by mammary glands
  • Breast size determined by fat tissue
• Breast function


  Supply milk to infant during lactation
• Male Reproductive System


  Produces sperm, transfers sperm to female reproductive tract, secretes hormones supporting male physiology
• Key Organs


  • Testes
  • Epididymis
  • Penis
• Testes


  • Male gonads, produce sperm and hormones
• Epididymis


  • Site of sperm maturation
• Penis


  • Organ of copulation, delivers sperm to female reproductive tract
• Spermatogenesis


  Process of sperm production, involves different cell types in seminiferous tubules
• Sperm Structure


  • Head contains compact nucleus and acrosome, mid-piece filled with mitochondria, tail for motility
• Epididymis


  • Site of sperm maturation and storage, coiled tube attached to testis, sperm mature while moving through epididymis
• Scrotum


  • Regulates testicular temperature for sperm production, skin-covered sac containing testes, dartos and cremaster muscles regulate temperature
• Spermatic Cord and Vas Deferens

  Transport sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct, vas deferens bundled with spermatic cord, vasectomy interrupts sperm
• Penis


  • Consists of root, body, glans, erectile tissue fills with blood during arousal, urethra runs through for sperm and urine transport
• Accessory Glands


  • Seminal Vesicles
  • Prostate Gland
  • Bulbourethral Glands
• Seminal Vesicles


  • Produce seminal fluid rich in fructose, provides energy for sperm
• Prostate Gland


  • Secretes alkaline fluid to neutralize vaginal acidity
• Bulbourethral Glands


  • Produce pre-ejaculatory fluid, lubricates urethra for sperm passage