⭐ Female Reproductive System

(Biology 12)
1. Major Parts of Female Reproductive
System
Ovaries (pair)

Oviducts / Fallopian tubes

Uterus

Cervix

Vagina

External genitalia

2. Ovaries
Located inside body cavity.

Germ cells → oogonia → divide mitotically → primary oocytes.

Primary oocytes surrounded by follicle cells (primary follicles).

Meiosis-I:

Primary oocyte → secondary oocyte (haploid) + 1st polar body.

Meiosis-II:

Stops at metaphase-II.

Completes only after fertilization.

Only one ovum released at a time → Ovulation.

3. Oviduct (Fallopian Tube)

Receives ovum after ovulation.

Opens into uterus.

Site of fertilization = proximal part of oviduct.

Zygote travels → uterus → implantation.

4. Uterus
Thick muscular organ.

Supports embryo development.

Forms placenta with fetal tissues → exchange of:

O₂, CO₂

nutrients

wastes

hormones

Uterus → cervix → vagina (independent from urethra).

⭐ Female Reproductive Cycle

(Menstrual Cycle)
Cyclic production of egg.

Duration: ~28 days (varies individually).

Includes:

Ovarian cycle

Uterine cycle

Controlled by pituitary gonadotropins (FSH, LH).

⭐ Phases + Hormonal Control

(1) FSH Release (Follicular Phase)

Puberty onset → pituitary releases FSH.

FSH stimulates:

Growth of several primary follicles.

Only one follicle matures; others undergo atresia.

(2) Estrogen Phase

Growing follicle releases estrogen.

Estrogen effects:

Thickens & vascularizes endometrium.

Inhibits further FSH release.

Rising estrogen triggers LH surge.

(3) LH Surge → Ovulation

High estrogen → pituitary releases LH.

LH causes:

Ovulation (release of secondary oocyte).

Follicle transformation → corpus luteum.

(4) Corpus Luteum Phase

Corpus luteum secretes progesterone.

Progesterone:

Develops spongy, vascular endometrium.

Makes uterus receptive for implantation.

(5) If NO Fertilization

Corpus luteum degenerates.

Progesterone level falls.

Endometrium breaks down → menstruation.

Bleeding lasts 3–7 days.

New cycle begins.

(6) If Fertilization Occurs

Corpus luteum maintained.

Progesterone remains high.

Endometrium retained → implantation → pregnancy.

⭐ Estrous Cycle vs Menstrual

Cycle
Estrous cycle: in all female mammals except humans.

Female shows “heat” and requires mating stimulus for ovulation.

In humans → no heat period; menstruation occurs.

⭐ Menopause
Permanent stop of menstruation.

Ova production ceases.

⭐ Factors Disturbing Cycle

Malnutrition

Emotional stress

Hormonal imbalance

— Dr Saif Ullah.

⭐ Lecture: Birth / Parturition

(with Definitions)
1. Key Definitions
Gestation:
The total period of development of the embryo/fetus inside the mother’s uterus. (≈
280 days)

Placenta:
A temporary organ formed by fetal + maternal tissues that allows exchange of
oxygen, nutrients, and waste products without mixing blood.
Amnion:
A membranous sac surrounding the embryo/fetus.

Amniotic Fluid:
Protective fluid inside the amniotic sac, acting as a cushion and preventing
dehydration.

Fetus:
The developing baby from the beginning of the 3rd month of pregnancy onward.

Labour:
A series of involuntary uterine contractions that lead to the expulsion of the baby.

Oxytocin:
A pituitary hormone that triggers strong uterine contractions during labour.

Afterbirth:
The expulsion of the placenta and fetal membranes after the delivery of the baby.

2. Gestation (Pregnancy)
Duration: ~280 days.

Once placenta forms → begins secreting progesterone.

Progesterone (definition):
A hormone that maintains pregnancy by relaxing uterine muscles and preventing
contractions.

Low progesterone → premature birth / miscarriage.

⭐ 3. Fetus & Protective

Structures
Embryo is enclosed in amnion with amniotic fluid.

Provides shock absorption

Protects fetus

Allows free movement

Prevents drying

From 3rd month → called fetus.

By 12th week → major organs formed; remaining time = growth phase.

⭐ 4. Hormones in Pregnancy
Luteotropic Hormone (LTH):
From maternal pituitary → stimulates mammary gland development.

Human Placental Lactogen (HPL):

From placenta → prepares breasts for milk production.

⭐ 5. Mechanism of Birth
(Parturition)
(Parturition = process of giving birth)

(Step 1) Fetal Initiation

Fetal pituitary releases ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone).

ACTH stimulates fetal adrenal gland → corticosteroids production.

(Step 2) Corticosteroids Enter Mother

Fetal corticosteroids cross placenta → enter mother’s blood.

Cause drop in maternal progesterone.

(Step 3) Oxytocin Release

Low progesterone → maternal pituitary releases oxytocin.

Oxytocin produces labour pains.

(Step 4) Uterine Contractions

Oxytocin causes strong, rhythmic contractions.

Contractions move top → bottom, pushing fetus downward.

(Step 5) Expulsion of the Baby

Cervix dilates fully.

Powerful uterine contractions → baby delivered.

Umbilical cord is tied and cut.

⭐ 6. Placenta & Afterbirth
Placenta separates fetal and maternal blood but allows exchange.

Acts as filter against many substances.

Afterbirth
Within 10–45 minutes:

Uterus contracts

Placenta detaches

Placenta expelled through vagina

Blood loss ≈ 350 mL.

Controlled by uterine smooth muscle contraction.

⭐ Lecture: Test Tube Babies &

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STDs)
🌟 1. Test Tube Babies (IVF)
Definition

Test Tube Baby:

A baby produced by fertilization of parental gametes outside the female body (in
vitro), followed by implantation of the resulting embryo into the mother’s uterus.

Key Points

IVF = In Vitro Fertilization (“in vitro” = in glass).

Used when parents cannot achieve natural fertilization due to:

Physiological abnormalities

Hormonal problems
Blocked oviducts

Low sperm count, etc.

Steps:

Parental ovum + sperm collected.

Fertilized in lab → zygote.

Zygote implanted in uterus.

Placenta forms normally.

Pregnancy continues like natural pregnancy.

🌟 2. Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs)
Definition

STD:
Infections transmitted primarily through sexual contact with an infected partner.

General Notes

Result from unsafe sexual activities.

Carriers can transmit diseases to healthy individuals.

Some STDs can pass from mother → baby during birth.

⭐ Major STDs
1) Gonorrhoea
Definition

A sexually transmitted bacterial infection affecting mucous membranes of the

urinogenital tract.

Cause
Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gram-negative bacterium (the text you provided said gram positive, but actual
scientific fact = gram-negative).

Features

Affects:

Urethra

Genitals

Rectum

Throat

Highly contagious.

Newborns passing through infected birth canal may develop eye infections
(ophthalmia neonatorum)

2) Syphilis
Definition

A chronic STD that damages multiple organs of the body.

Cause

Treponema pallidum — a spirochaete bacterium.

Effects

Damages:

Reproductive organs

Eyes

Bones & joints

Heart

Skin

CNS (brain & spinal cord)

Spread mainly through sexual contact.

3) Genital Herpes
Definition

A viral STD causing painful sores and ulcers on the genital area.

Cause


Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Symptoms


Painful ulcers




Genital sores

Recurring flare-ups

In Pregnant Women

Virus can transmit to baby during birth → causes:

Eye damage

CNS damage

Severe neonatal infection

4) AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency

Syndrome)
Definition

A life-threatening disease caused by HIV, leading to destruction of the immune

system.

Cause

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Transmission

Sexual contact

Blood transfusion

Shared needles

From mother to baby

Note

No complete cure currently available.

⭐ 3. Control & Prevention of

STDs
Avoid sexual contact with infected individuals.

Maintain strict hygiene.

Use protection.

Regular medical checkups.

Antibiotics available for:

Gonorrhoea

Syphilis

Herpes (managed, not cured)

AIDS: only managed, not cured.