Reproduction and pregnancy

• Interstitual cells (in testes)

  Produces testosterone
• Vulva (external structures)

  • Labia Majora
  • Labia minora
  • Clitoris
• A hormone is

  A signaling molecule (chemical) produced by an endocrine gland and transported by the blood to a target cell/organ.
• Hormones are released by

  Endocrine glands
• What is the difference between an endocrine and exocrine gland?

  Endocrine: secretes hormones directly into the blood stream (via extracellular fluid)

  Exocrine: secretes substances (oils, saliva, mucous) into a duct (will eventually leave the body) or to external environment.
• Hormones act on ‘target‘ cells or organs
• What does “‘target’ cells or organs” mean?

  Cells which bears receptors for a particular type of hormone, drug or other signalling molecule.
• reproductive hormones are those that…

  Regulate reproductive system and reproductive cycles.
• Reproductive hormones produced by BOTH men and women

  Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH)
• Reproductive hormone produced by men ONLY

  Testosterone
• Reproductive hormones produced by women ONLY

  oestrogen, progesterone, prolactin, oxytocin and human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG)
• Effects of Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH)

  Female: Develop & maturation of follicle —> produces oestrogen.

  Male: Develop & maturation of spermatogonia —> spermatogenesis
• Effects of luteinising hormone (LH)

  Female: Maturation of the follicle and initiates ovulation.

  Male: stimulates leydig cells to produce and release testosterone.
• Effects of testosterone on men

  Spermatogenesis and male secondary sex characteristic.
• Effects of oestrogen on women

  Development of endometrial lining
• Effects of progesterone on women

  Maintains endometrial lining in event of pregnancy.
• Effects of prolactin on women

  Production of breast milk
• Effects of oxytocin on women

  Contraction of mammary glands
• Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) on women

  Prevents breakdown of corpus luteum.
• Spermatogenesis

  The production and maturation of male gametes;sperm.
• Sperm is produced in..

  Seminiferous tubules
• The hormone responsible for follicle growth..

  Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Hormone responsible for ovulation…

  Luteinising hormone (LH)
• What is a sexually transmitted infection


  A disease caused by infection with certain bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms.
• contraception is…

  Measures that prevent a woman from having a child.
• Three types of contraception…

  Natural contraceptives, mechanical contraceptives and chemical contraceptives.
• Natural contraceptives..

  Do not involve Intervention / devices.
• Mechanical contraceptives..

  Devices that provide a physical barrier between the sperm and the egg.
• Chemical contraceptives.…

  Provide a chemical barrier to sperm by trapping and damaging sperm.
• hormone secreted by the corpus luteum

  Progesterone
• The hormonal trigger for menstruation

  Oestrogen and progesterone decline.
• Purpose of progesterone

  Promotes full development of the uterine lining, maintains embryo and inhibits development of more follicles.
• Name the process by which mature ova are produced

  meiosis (oogenesis)
• Pregnancy is only possible when maintaining the....

  endometrium
• Maintaining the endometrium is controlled by hormones, namely....

  progesterone
• During the first three months of pregnancy....

  Human chronic gonadotropin is produced to stimulate the corpus luteum in order to produce progesterone which helps prepare the endometrium.
• From 3 months of pregnancy.....

  The placenta is mature enough to produce progesterone therefore the corpus luteum breaks down.
• The placenta

  Role: Carries materials to (nutrients/oxygen) and from (carbon dioxide and water) the foetus.

  Structure:

  • disc shaped
  • highly vascular - lots of exchange
  • placental blood vessels belong to the foetus and contians foetal blood only, MATERNAL AND FOETAL BLOOD NEVER MIX; separated by foetal blood vessel membranes.
  • 2 umbilical arteries to remove wastes and. 1 umbilical vein to supply oxygen and nutrients
• The amnion

  Role:

  • shock absorption
  • space to move
  • temperature regulations

  Structure: sac that produces and secretes amniotic fluid
• reproductive hormones

  the hypothalamus sends signal to pituitary gland which then produces luiteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and releases them into the bloodstream.