Human Reproduction
REPRODUCTION: “It is a biological process in which an organism gives rise to young ones or offsprings
similar to itself. This process is essential for the continuance of life on earth.”
TYPES OF REPRODUCTION: -
1. Asexual reproduction
2. Sexual reproduction
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
● Testes located outside the abdominal cavity (extra abdominal) with a pouch called scrotum or
scrotal sac which provides a temperature 2 - 2.5 degree Celsius lower than the body temperature.
which is required for spermatogenesis (formation of sperms).
● Scrotum remain connected with the abdominal cavity by the inguinal canal.
● Each testis is oval in shape and is about 4-5 cm in length, 2-3 cm in width and 3 cm in thickness.
● It is divided into about 250 compartment called testicular lobules.
● Each lobule contains 1-3 highly coiled seminiferous tubules which is the structural and functional
unit of testis.
● The seminiferous tubule is internally lined with germinal epithelium which consists of two types of
cells.
a) Sertoli cells b) Spermatogonia
● Sertoli cells provide nourishment and shape to the developing germ cells and sperms while
spermatogonia undergoes meiosis to form spermatozoa.
● The spaces between seminiferous tubules are called interstitial spaces consists of connective tissues,
blood vessels and leydig cells or interstitial cells.
● Leydig cells secrete the male sex hormone i.e androgen or testosterone.
● These are opens into vasa efferentia through a channel of tubules called rete testis.
● Vasa efferentia (10 - 12) conduct the sperms out from the testis and opens into epididymis.
● Epididymis is a single convoluted tubule that is located along the posterior surface of the testis.
● It stores the sperms temporarily and also secretes a fluid which nourish the sperms.
● The epididymis continues as the vas deferens that ascends into the abdominal cavity through inguinal
canal, loops over the urinary bladder.
● After passes over the urinary bladder it receives a duct from the seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory
duct that runs through the prostate and opens into the urethra.
● The urethra receives the ducts of prostrate and the Cowper’s gland and through the penis to its
external opening called urethral meatus.
● Urethra provides a common passage for urine and sperms (urethra is longer in males).
ACCESSORY GLANDS
1. Seminal vesicle: It is 1 pair gland present near the base of bladder it produce seminal fluid.
2. Prostate gland: It is single large gland lie at the base of the bladder and surrounds the 1st part of
the urethra. It secretes alkaline secretion (6.5 pH) which help the sperms to become active.
3. Cowper’s gland: it is 1 pair pea sized lying adjacent to the urethra or at the base of the penis. It
secrete mucus which acts as a lubricants.
SEMEN: Seminal plasma + sperms
It is a mucoid, milky, viscous fluid, ejaculate of male produced during orgasm. It is slightly alkaline with
7.2 - 7.7 pH. An ejaculate is 3-4 ml with 200-300 million sperms in which 60% are normal and 40% have
vigrous motility.
External genitalia:
PENIS
● It is a copulatory organ in males. It is a cylindrical, erectile organ. It remains small and limp, but
during mating it becomes long, hard and erect (15cm long).
● The extended part of the penis is enlarged and conical called glans penis, which is covered by loose
folds of skin called foreskin or prepuce.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
● 1 Pair, almond shaped, solid greyish pink in colour, 2-4 cm long, 1.5 cm broad and 1 cm thick.
● The ovaries are located in the abdominal cavity one on each side, near the kidney.
● Normally only one egg matures in each ovary every alternate month.
● A maturing egg contained in a cellular sac is called the follicle which secretes estrogen.
● When egg grows larger the follicle get filled with a fluid and is called the graafian follicle.
● OVULATION: The rupture of the follicle releasing the egg.
● After ovulation rupture of follicle convert into a yellow mass called corpus luteum which secretes
progesterone
Duct system:-
Oviduct/fallopian tube: 1 pair, 12cm long, it has funnel shaped opening called oviducal funnel. It
has three parts Infundibulum, Ampulla and Isthmus.
FUNCTIOS OF OVIDUCT: -
1. It convey secondary oocyte from the ovary to the uterus.
2. It is the site of fertilization.
Uterus: Hollow pear shaped muscular organ present between the urinary bladder and the rectum.
Lower part of the uterus is called cervix or neck.
● Wall of uterus has 3 layers of tissues.
○ Perimetrium: protective in nature
○ Myometrium: it involved in the uterine movements cause strong uterine contraction and also
protective layer.
○ Endometrium: it undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle, Site for implantation and
responsible for expulsion of baby during parturition.
Vagina:-
● It is 8.5cm long, muscular tube that opens outside through vaginal orifice or vaginal aperture.
● Vaginal orifice is covered partially by thin membrane called HYMEN
● Vagina acts as both copulatory canal to receive sperms during copulation by insemination.
● Vagina also acts as birth canal along with cervical canal during parturition.
● Vagina is the pathway for menstrual flow.
EXTERNAL GENITALIA
Mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, hymen, clitoris
Mons pubis a pad of fatty tissue covered with hair
Labia majora - fleshy folds of tissue, surround the vaginal opening.
Labia minora - paired folds of tissue under labia majora
Clitoris- tiny finger structure, lies at the upper junction of two labia majora
Hymen - just inside the opening of the vagina, often torn during the first coitus (intercourse)
the presence or absence of hymen is not a reliable indicator of virginity
GAMETOGENESIS
The process of formation of haploid gametes from diploid germ cells in the gonad is called gametogenesis.
Takes place- primary sex organ (testis & ovary) & produce sperm & ovum
Male - Spermatogenesis (Spermatogonia) & begins at puberty
Female- Oogenesis (Oogonia) & starts at embryonic stage
SPERM STRUCTURE
Plasma membrane envelops entire body.
Part of sperm Details
Head
Elongated haploid nucleus
Anterior cap like acrosome
Acrosome has hydrolytic enzymes (hyaluronidase). It is derived from Golgi complex during division
- fertilization of ovum
Neck
Connecting head and middle piece
Middle part
Many mitochondria (produce energy for the movement of tail motility)
Tail
Long slender
Vibration
200-300 million sperms - one ejaculation 60% must have normal shape, size and 40% motility
ECG STRUCTURE
MENSTRUAL CYCLE:
Reproductive cycle of female primates is called menstrual cycle.
Menstruation is the term given to the periodic discharge of blood, tissue, fluid and mucus from the
reproductive organs of sexually mature females. The flow usually lasts from 3-6 days each month and is
caused by a sudden reduction in the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
The menstrual cycle begins when a female reaches the age of puberty. The first menstruation begins at
puberty is called Menarche.
During the menstrual cycle the uterus endometrium prepares itself for implantation of a fertilized egg. If
fertilization does not occur the uterus lining is shed from the body.
Menstrual cycle repeated at an average interval of 28 days.
One ovum is released in the middle usually 14th day of each menstrual cycle.
Menstrual cycle has following phases:
The cycle can be divided into four phases:
1. Menstrual phase (bleeding period).
2. Follicular (before the egg is released).
3. Ovulatory (egg is released)
4. Luteal phase (after release of the egg).
1. Menstrual phase (bleeding period).
It is the first phase of menstrual cycle lasts for 3-5 days.
Breakdown of endometrial lining and blood vessel occurs. It leads to bleeding comes out through vagina.
It occurs only when ovum released and fertilization does not occur.
Lack of menstruation is the indication of pregnancy
2. Follicular phase/ Proliferative phase:
It lasts for 1 - 14 days.
LH and FSH levels during the menstrual cycle
Menstrual phase followed by follicular phase.
Primary follicle grows - Graafian follicle & endometrium regenerates- proliferation
Gonadotropins (Pituitary)- FSH & LH, increases & stimulate follicular development. This in turn increases
estrogen secretion from growing follicles.
LH & FSH attains peak in middle of cycle (14th day)
Rapid secretion of LH - LH Surge induces G. follicle to rupture & release ovum (ovulation)- Corpus luteum
3. Ovulatory (egg is released): 14th day.
4. Luteal phase/Secretory Phase:
This phase begins after ovulation.
Ruptured Graafian follicle transformed into corpus luteum. It produces large amount of progesterone -
essential to maintain & proliferate endometrium
Endometrium- necessary for implantation of fertilized egg / ovum & does not shed during pregnancy
If fertilization occurs corpus luteum grows further and pregnancy continues. Menstrual cycle stops up.
In absence of fertilization, Graafian follicle transforms to yellow bodied Corpus luteum
Progesterone level decreases.
Corpus luteum degenerates to Corpus albican
Decrease in Progesterone leads to menstruation
Menstrual cycles ceases at 50 years - Menopause
Cyclic menstruation is indicator of normal reproductive phase & extends between menarche & menopause
FERTILIZATION AND IMPLANTATION
During copulation (coitus) semen is released by the penis into the vagina is called insemination.
The motile sperms swim rapidly, pass through the cervix, enter into the uterus and finally reach the junction
of the isthmus and ampulla (ampullary-isthmic junction) of the fallopian tube
Fertilisation: - if the ovum and sperms are transported simultaneously to the ampullary isthmic junction.
The process of fusion of a sperm with an ovum is called Fertilisation.
Placenta: functional connection between foetal membranes and uterine wall.
Umbilical cord: A cord containing blood vessels connects the placenta with the foetus called
umbilical cord.
Functions of Placenta: -
1. Transport oxygen, glucose, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids & glycerol, vitamins, minerals, certain
drugs, alcohol, nicotine, antibodies and viruses from mother to foetus for utilization.
2. Transport carbon dioxide, urea, other waste products from foetus to mother for elimination.
3. Secretes oestrogen & progesterone.
Amnion: Amnion is a sac which develops around the embryo.
Amniotic fluid: The space between the amnion and the embryo is filled with a fluid called amniotic
fluid.
Gestation: The full term of the development of the embryo in the uterus is called gestation. It lasts
for about 280 days.
Parturition: The act of expelling the full-term foetus from the mother’s uterus at the end of
gestation.
Embryo: A growing egg after fertilization.
Foetus: When embryo starts having a look of a baby (7 weeks of gestation and onwards)
Pregnancy: The state of carrying the unborn young one inside the body.
Twins:
Maternal twins/Identical twins/Monozygotic twins:
• Produced from one egg
• Similar characteristics except fingerprints, birth marks, iris & handwriting
• Same sex i.e either male or female.
Fraternal twins / unidentical twins / dizygotic twins:
• Produced from two eggs
• Disimilar characteristics i.e male and female.
• Sex may be same or different