HUMAN REPRODUCTION
1. Give a account on Human male reproductive system?
It consists of scrotum, a pair of testis, vasa efferentia, a pair of epididymis, a pair of vas deferens, a pair of
ejaculatory duct, urethra, penis and accessory glands.
Scrotum:
It is a loose pigmented pouch arises from lower abdomen. Septum scorti divides scrotum into two scrotal sacs; one
for each testis. It acts as a thermoregulatory chamber; provide 2°C- 2.5°C, less temperature for spermatogenesis.
Testes :
i. Each testis is oval shaped and measures about 4-5cm long, 2.5cm wide and 3cm thick..
ii. During 7th foetal month, testes permanently descend into respective scrotal sacs by inguinal cord
through inguinal canal and rest on gubernaculum.
iii. Middle, tunica albuginea forms incomplete septa to divide each testis into 250 lobules.
iv. Interstitial tissue of each lobule contains 1-4 highly coiled seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells.
v. Seminiferous tubules are made by a single layer of germinal epithelial cells and Sertoli cells.
vi. FSH stimulates germinal epithelial cells for spermatogenesis and Sertoli cells to provide nutrients
to developing spermatozoa.
vii. Sertoli cells also secrete inhibin, ABP and AMH.
viii. Leydig cells secrete testosterone under the Influence of LH.
ix. Towards the posterior part of testis, seminiferous tubules forms a network straight tubules called
rete testis.
Vasa efferentia
These are 15-20 slender ciliated ducts that conduct sperms from rete Testis to epididymis.
Epididymis
It is 6 meters long coiled tube that partially and posteriorly encircles each testis (Testicle).
It has three parts; anterior caput epididymis, middle corpus epididymis posterior cauda epididymis.
Cauda epididymis Is meant for storage and maturation of sperm. Sperm motility and fertility power here.
Epididymis conducts sperm from vasa efferentia to vas deferens.
Vas deferens
It is a 40cm long muscular duct arises from cauda epididymis, enters abdominal cavity by inguinal cord.
Its ampullated end joins with duct of seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct.
Vas deferens carries sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct.
Ejaculatory duct
These are 2cm long tubes formed by union of duct of seminal vesicle an deferens.
They carry sperm and secretions of seminal vesicle into prostatic urethra.
Urethra
It is 20cm long and divided into 3 parts.
Prostatic urethra (4-5cm) passes through the center of prostate gland and urine.
Membranous (1cm) and penile urethra (15cm) carry both urine and semen (urinogenital tract) separately.
Penis
It Is copulatory organ, 13 cm long when erected. Sinuses of two dorsolateral corpora cavernosa tissue filled with
blood during sexual excitement
Penile urethra runs in Ventrolateral corpus spongolosum and opens to outside through urinogenital meatus
Tip glans penis is sensitive and is covered by prepuce/ fore skin,
Accessory glands
Seminal vesicle A pair of seminal vesicle is located in between urinary bladder and rectum. Their secretion
contributes 65-70% to semen which includes fructose prostaglandin, clotting proteins, vitamins.
Prostate gland- It is present below urinary bladder. Their milky alkaline secretions contribute 25% - 30% to semen
which includes citric acid, enzymes, PSA, and zinc.
Bulbourethral or Cowper's gland- A pair of bulbourethral gland is present on either side of membranous urethra.
They secrete alkaline mucous for lubrication of glans penis.
2. Give a brief account on female reproductive system?
It consists of a pair of ovary, a pair of fallopian tube, uterus, vagina, vulva, accessory genital glands and breast.
Ovary
A pair of almond shaped ovary is present on either side of vertebral column in upper pelvis. Suspensory ligaments
attach each ovary to the pelvic side wall. Each ovary is 3.5cm long, 2cm wide and 1cm thick.
III. Ovary is covered by visceral peritoneum beneath which the germinal epithelium and thin tunica albuginea are
present.
IV. Cortex of stroma contains ovarian follicles in various stages of development. Medulla consists of blood vessels,
lymph vessels and nerves
.V. At birth, millions of primary folliles are present in each ovary but at puberty only 60,000-80,000 are left.
VI. From puberty only a single follicle matures and ovulates in every month under, the Influence of FSH and LH
respectively.
VII. About 400 primary follicles mature to Graafian follicle during reproductive life and rest are degenerated
follicular atresia.
VIII. Matured Graafian follicle has outer fibrous theca externa and inner theca interna. Cells of theca interna secrete
oestrogen.
IX. Follicular antrum is filled with liquor folliculi and lined by inner most granulosa membrane.
X. A mass granulosa cell surrounding the secondary oocyte is called discus prollgerous.
XI. After ovulation on 14h day, Graafian follicle converts to yellow coloured corpus luteum and secretes
progesterone under the influence of LH.
XII. In the absence of pregnancy, corpus luteum degenerates into white corpus
albicans.
Fallopian tube
I. These are 10-12cm long ciliated muscular ducts extends from each ovary to uterus. 11. Infundibulum bears
fimbriae to collect the ovum; ampulla is the site of fertilization. III. Narrow isthmus leads to uterine part which
opens to uterine cavity,
Uterus
1. It is pear shaped Inverted 7.5cm long and 5cm wide organ. It has fundus, body and cervix.
II. Uterine wall consists of perimetrium, myometrium and endometrium.
IlI. Smooth muscle fibers of myometrium contracts in response to foetal ejection reflex and oxytocin to generate
labour pain.
IV. Endometrium lines uterine cavity undergoes cyclic changes during menstrual cycle, helps in implantation and
placenta formation.
Vagina
1. It is 10cm long elastic copulatory chamber. It receives penis during coitus, forms birth canal and provide a
passage for menstrual bleeding. In virgin girls, it is covered by hymen.
External genitalia/ Vulva
1. Anterior mons pubis is a cushion of fatty tissue bearing pubic hairs.
I1. A small sensitive erect tissue:clitoris is present below mons pubis.
IIl. Labia majora are the two skin folds that forms boundary of vulva.
[Link] minora are two pigmented hairless skin folds that forms boundary of vestibule.
V. Anterior and posterior openings of vestibule are urethral orifice and vaginal orifice respectively.
[Link] orifice and vaginal orifice have lesser vestibular glands (Glands of Skene) and greater vestibular glands:
(Bartholin's glands) on their either side which lubricates the vagina.
Breast
1. Female sex hormones promote development. of mammary glands.
II. Prolactin initiates milk secretion after child birth.
IlI. Oxytocin contracts smooth muscles of breast to eject milk.
Each breast ----- 15 – 20 mammary lobes ------ cluster of cell ---- secretes milk ---- stored in lumen of
ovary ----- mammary tubules ---- mammary ducts ----- mammary ampulla ---- lactiferous ducts ----
milk is expressed.