THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM o Secrete alkaline fluid rich in fructose and

Lesson Content – The Reproductive System prostaglandins → nourishes sperm and

Learning Objectives: enhances motility.
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: 2. Prostate Gland
• Identify the major structures of the male and o Surrounds proximal urethra; secretes
female reproductive systems and describe their slightly acidic fluid with enzymes (e.g.,
anatomy and function. PSA) that help liquefy semen.
• Relate gametogenesis, hormonal regulation, and 3. Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) Glands
reproductive cycles to normal reproductive o Secrete mucus to lubricate urethra and
physiology. neutralize acidic urine.
• Correlate common reproductive disorders and Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
infections with laboratory and diagnostic tests A. External Genitalia (Vulva)
performed by medical technologists. • Mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora,
Overview clitoris, vestibule, and openings of urethra and
The reproductive system ensures the continuation of the vagina.
species by: • Functions mainly in protection and sexual
• Producing gametes (sperm in males, ova in response.
females) B. Internal Structures
• Enabling fertilization 1. Ovaries
• Supporting development of the fetus (in o Paired organs located in the pelvic cavity.
females) o Functions:
• Producing sex hormones that influence ▪ Produce ova (oocytes).
secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive ▪ Secrete estrogen and
function progesterone, plus inhibin and
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System other hormones.
A. External Genitalia 2. Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
1. Penis o Transport ovulated oocyte from ovary to
o Organ for sexual intercourse and passage uterus.
of urine. o Fimbriae help capture the oocyte.
o Contains erectile tissue (corpora o Common site of fertilization.
cavernosa and corpus spongiosum). 3. Uterus
2. Scrotum o Pear-shaped muscular organ.
o Sac of skin and smooth muscle (dartos, o Layers:
cremaster) that houses the testes. ▪ Endometrium – inner mucosal
o Helps regulate testicular temperature lining; undergoes cyclical
(slightly below body temperature for changes; site of implantation.
optimal sperm production). ▪ Myometrium – thick smooth
B. Internal Structures muscle; contracts during labor
1. Testes and menstruation.
o Paired organs located in the scrotum. ▪ Perimetrium – outer serosal
o Functions: layer.
▪ Spermatogenesis (production of o Functions:
sperm) in seminiferous tubules. ▪ Houses and nourishes the
▪ Testosterone production by developing fetus.
Leydig (interstitial) cells. 4. Cervix
2. Epididymis o Lower part of uterus opening into vagina.
o Coiled tube on the posterior surface of o Produces cervical mucus; changes in
each testis. consistency across menstrual cycle.
o Site of sperm maturation and storage. o Important site for cervical cancer
3. Vas (Ductus) Deferens screening (Pap smear).
o Muscular tube that transports sperm from 5. Vagina
epididymis to ejaculatory duct. o Muscular canal; passage for menstrual
4. Ejaculatory Ducts flow, sexual intercourse, and childbirth.
o Formed by union of vas deferens and duct C. Mammary Glands (Breasts) – brief
of seminal vesicle; open into urethra. • Modified sweat glands that produce milk under
5. Urethra the influence of prolactin and oxytocin.
o Common passage for semen and urine (in Physiology: Gametogenesis & Hormonal Regulation
males). A. Male Physiology
C. Accessory Glands 1. Spermatogenesis
1. Seminal Vesicles • Occurs in seminiferous tubules of testes.

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 • Begins at puberty and continues throughout life. corpus luteum and progesterone secretion. If not, corpus
• Process: luteum regresses → drop in hormones → menstruation.
o Spermatogonia → primary Common Reproductive Disorders (Both Sexes)
spermatocytes → secondary A. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
spermatocytes → spermatids → mature • Examples: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis,
spermatozoa. Trichomoniasis, HIV, HPV, HSV.
2. Hormonal Regulation • Can cause urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic
• Hypothalamus: secretes GnRH (gonadotropin- inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic
releasing hormone). pregnancy, or systemic disease.
• Anterior pituitary: responds by secreting: • Many are asymptomatic → laboratory screening
o LH (Luteinizing hormone) → stimulates is crucial.
Leydig cells to produce testosterone. B. Male Reproductive Disorders
o FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) → 1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
acts on Sertoli cells to support o Non-cancerous enlargement of prostate,
spermatogenesis. common in older men.
• Testosterone: o Symptoms: urinary frequency, hesitancy,
o Promotes development of male weak stream, incomplete emptying.
reproductive organs and secondary 2. Prostate Cancer
sexual characteristics. o Malignancy of prostate gland.
o Helps maintain libido and sperm o May be asymptomatic early; later similar
production. urinary symptoms, bone pain if
B. Female Physiology metastasized.
1. Oogenesis 3. Male Infertility
• Formation of ova in ovaries. o Causes: low sperm count, poor motility,
• Primary oocytes present at birth; remain arrested abnormal morphology, hormonal
until puberty. problems, obstruction, varicocele,
• Each cycle, a cohort is recruited; usually only one infections.
dominant follicle ovulates. 4. Cryptorchidism
2. Menstrual (Ovarian–Uterine) Cycle o Undescended testis at birth; risk of
A typical cycle lasts about 28 days (varies). infertility and testicular cancer if
• Ovarian cycle untreated.
1. Follicular phase (days ~1–14) C. Female Reproductive Disorders
▪ FSH stimulates growth of ovarian 1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
follicles. o Characterized by menstrual irregularity,
▪ Developing follicles secrete hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne),
estrogen. polycystic ovaries.
2. Ovulation (~day 14) o Associated with insulin resistance and
▪ LH surge triggers release of increased risk of diabetes.
oocyte from dominant follicle. 2. Endometriosis
3. Luteal phase (days ~15–28) o Presence of endometrial tissue outside
▪ Remnant of follicle becomes the uterus (e.g., ovaries, peritoneum).
corpus luteum. o Causes pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea,
▪ Secretes progesterone (and infertility.
some estrogen). 3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Uterine (endometrial) cycle o Infection of upper genital tract (uterus,
1. Menstrual phase fallopian tubes, ovaries), often due to STIs
▪ Shedding of functional layer of (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea).
endometrium → menstrual o Can lead to scarring, infertility, and
bleeding. ectopic pregnancy.
2. Proliferative phase 4. Cervical Cancer
▪ Estrogen stimulates endometrial o Strongly associated with high-risk HPV
regeneration and thickening. infection.
3. Secretory phase o Often asymptomatic early; screened via
▪ Progesterone from corpus luteum Pap smear and HPV testing.
prepares endometrium for 5. Breast Cancer (brief mention)
implantation (glands become o Common malignancy in women;
coiled, secretion increases). influenced by genetic, hormonal, and
If fertilization and implantation occur, hCG (human lifestyle factors.
chorionic gonadotropin) from the embryo maintains

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Laboratory & Diagnostic Correlation (MedTech Focus) o Detects high-risk HPV DNA associated
A. Hormonal Assays with cervical cancer.
• Male 3. Biopsies
o Serum testosterone, LH, FSH – evaluate o Cervical, endometrial, testicular, prostate,
hypogonadism, infertility, delayed or or breast biopsies evaluated histologically
precocious puberty. to diagnose malignancy, hyperplasia, or
• Female other lesions.
o Estrogen (estradiol), progesterone, LH, F. Tumor Markers (Supportive, Not Diagnostic Alone)
FSH – evaluate menstrual irregularities, • PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) – elevated in
anovulation, menopause. prostate cancer, BPH, prostatitis.
o Prolactin – elevated in prolactinomas; • CA-125 – elevated in some ovarian cancers (also
may cause infertility, amenorrhea. in benign conditions).
o Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) – • HER2, ER/PR (immunohistochemistry in
reflects ovarian reserve. breast cancer) – guide therapy.
B. Pregnancy Testing
• Detection of hCG:
o Qualitative tests (urine pregnancy
strips).
o Quantitative serum hCG – for early
detection, monitoring ectopic pregnancy
or trophoblastic disease.
C. Semen Analysis (Male Infertility Workup)
• Parameters assessed:
o Volume, pH.
o Sperm count (concentration).
o Motility (progressive/non-progressive).
o Morphology (normal vs abnormal forms).
o Presence of WBCs or agglutination.
• Abnormal results can suggest problems in
spermatogenesis, obstruction, infection, or
endocrine issues.
D. Microbiology & Serology for STIs
1. Direct Detection / Microscopy
o Gram stain of urethral or cervical swab
(e.g., Gram-negative diplococci in
gonorrhea).
o Wet mount for Trichomonas vaginalis.
2. Culture
o For Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other
bacteria when necessary.
3. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs)
o Highly sensitive and specific for
Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria
gonorrhoeae, and some other
pathogens.
4. Serologic Tests
o Syphilis: non-treponemal tests (VDRL,
RPR), treponemal tests (TPPA, FTA-
ABS).
o HIV: antibody/antigen combination
assays, confirmatory tests.
o HBV, HCV: relevant in sexually
transmitted or bloodborne transmission.
E. Cytology and Histopathology
1. Pap Smear (Papanicolaou Test)
o Screening test for cervical pre-cancer
and cancer.
o Cells from transformation zone examined
for dysplasia (ASC-US, LSIL, HSIL, etc.).
2. HPV Testing

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