UNIT 5: Systems involved in reproduction: male and female reproductive systems
1-Reproduction in human beings
The function of reproduction consists of producing descendants similar to the parents to make
sure that the species survives.
Humans reproduce using sexual reproduction which involves two types of gametes (spermatozoa
produced by a man in his testis and egg cells produced by a woman in her ovaries).
Humans have internal fertilization, that is to say, the union of an egg cell with a sperm during
sexual reproduction inside the body the mother.
According to the embryonic development, humans are viviparous because they give birth to
young that have already developed inside the mother's body.
2-Male reproductive system anatomy
Spermatogenesis is the production of spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
Semen is a liquid containing sperm, seminal liquid, Cowper liquid and prostatic liquid.
Spermatozoa structure:
3-Female reproductive system anatomy
Egg cell structure:
2-Fertilization and embryonic develoment
At birth, women have about 400,000 ovocytes in their ovaries.
Inside the female reproductive system, different steps occur that lead to pregnancy:
Follicular growth: There are several stages to puberty. Every month, several ovocytes start to
mature but, normally, only one becomes an egg cell (a mature follicle or Graff follicle).
Ovulation: 14 days after from the first day of menstruation, one egg cell goes out of the Graff
follicle, from the ovary to the Fallopian tube. The structure that remains inside the ovary is called
corpus luteum (or yellow body). This is an endocrine gland involved in the production of
progesterone to prepare women for possible pregnancy. When a pregnancy does not occur, that
yellow body will disappear.
Fertilization: is the fusion of gametes, egg and sperm, to form a cell called a zygote. It occurs in
the Fallopian tube.
Embryonic development: The zygote divides hundreds of times until it forms a structure called a
morula. After reorganization of the morula´s cells, a blastocyst is formed. It has a tennis ball shape,
where the cells of the surface will become the amniotic sac, and a group of cells inside it will form
the embryo. The embryo is called a fetus after two months of development as all his organs work
except for the lungs that will start working after birth. The blastocyst inplants on the uterus wall
arround 14 days after ovulation.
3-Menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is
the time from the first
day of a woman's
period to the day before
her next period. It
usually lasts about 28
days. Menstruation,
also known as a period,
is the regular discharge
of blood and mucosal
tissue from the
endometrium through
the vagina, in order to
prepare the uterus wall
in case an egg cell is
fertilizated. A girl's first
menstruation is called
menarche and the last
one is called
menopause.
4-Pregnancy and birth
After 38 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is born. Birth occurs as follows:
-Dilation:
The cervix dilates
Uterus has contractions
The amniotic sac breaks
-Expulsion
Uterine contractions
Delivery of the newborn baby
-Delivery of the placenta
5-Sterility
A man's sterility is caused by:
-low quantity or poor quality of his sperm
-urethra or vas deferens are inflamed (blocked)
A woman's sterility is caused by:
-Failure to produce egg cells in ovaries
-Blockage in the Fallopian tubes
-Impossibility of egg cell implantation occurs
Solutions:
-In vitro fertilization (in the event of male or female sterility): It consists of the followings steps:
-Artificial insemination (in the event of male sterility): Selected sperm cells are injected into the
woman’s uterus using a thin catheter.
6-Contraception
• Natural
Basal body temperature: By checking your basal body temperature each day for a long period of
time, you may be able to predict when you will ovulate, as ovulation may cause a slight increase in
basal body temperature. So, to avoid pregnancy, you shouldn,t have sex during the two to three
days before your temperature rises.
Ogino method: Consists of abstaining from sexual relationship during the days before and after
ovulation. There is a high probability of error when menstruation is irregular.
The cervical mucus method: is based on the observation of mucus during the your menstrual
cycle. Before ovulation, cervical secretions change, creating an environment that helps sperm
travel to the egg cell.
• Artificial:
Mechanical:
-Condom: it prevents the sperm from getting into the uterus. They help protect you
from STDs.
-Diaphragm: is placed inside the vagina and prevents the sperm from getting into
the uterus.
-The intrauterine device (IUD): Is a T-shape device that prevents fertilization.
Chemical:
-Spermicide: is substance that kills sperm cells. It is very effective when used in
combination with other methods such as diaphragm.
-Contraceptive pills: Hormones that must be taken daily as prescribed to be
effective..
Surgical:
-Vasectomy: Consists of cutting the duct deferens that carry sperm from the testis.
-Tubal ligation: Consists of cutting the Fallopian tubes.