Reproductive System
LECTURE BY DR M. SOHAIB
FOR
MS MEDICAL PHYSICS
Reproductive System
The function of reproductive system is propagation
of the species which in case of human is through
conception of a child
Human reproduce sexually
Two sexes; male and female
The sex cell are called gametes which in male are
sperms (spermatozoa) and in female are eggs (ova)
Fertilization: It is the fusion of gametes of opposite
sexes to form new offspring.
Reproductive System
Primary sex organs (gonads) – testes in males, ovaries
in females
Gonads produce gametes (sperms and ova) and secrete
sex hormones
Accessory reproductive organs – ducts, glands, and
external genitalia
Sex hormones – androgens (males), and estrogens and
progesterone (females)
Sexual differentiation
Sexual differentiation is the process of development of the
differences between males and females from an
undifferentiated fertilized egg.
Male and female individuals develop from fertilized egg
into fetus, into infant, child, adolescent, and eventually into
adult.
During this gender differences occur at many levels; genes,
chromosomes, gonads, hormones, anatomy, psyche, and
social behaviors.
Male Sexual Differentiation
Until 6 weeks of embryo life, the gonads are
undifferentiated.
During 7th week of pregnancy embryos which
contain the Y chromosome under a specific gene
called Sex-determining Region Y (SRY) gene starts
formation of testes.
By 8 weeks some cells of the developing testes are
capable of producing testosterone under the
stimulation of luteinizing hormone (LH).
Circulating testosterone causes development of
penis
Female Sexual Differentiation
In the absence of SRY, a female embryo will develop
Ovaries are not identifiable until the tenth week
Secondary sex characteristics
These characteristics are developed during puberty
Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a
child's body becomes an adult body capable of
reproduction.
Puberty is initiated by hormone signals from the
brain to the gonads
Male secondary sex characteristics
Growth of body hair i.e. facial hair, underarm,
abdominal, chest, and pubic hair. Loss of scalp hair.
Increase in muscle mass and strength. Greater mass
of thigh muscles in front of the femur.
Enlargement of larynx (Adam's apple) and
deepening of voice
Increased stature
Heavier skull and bone structure
Male secondary sex characteristics
Broadening of shoulders and chest; shoulders
wider than hips
Increased secretions of oil and sweat glands,
often causing acne and body odor
Coarsening or rigidity of skin texture, due to
less subcutaneous fat
On average higher waist to hip ratio than
children or adult females
Female secondary sex characteristics
Enlargement of breasts and erection of nipples.
Growth of body hair, most prominently underarm and
pubic hair
Greater development of thigh muscles behind the
femur.
Widening of hips; lower waist to hip ratio than adult
males, on average
Increased secretions of oil and sweat glands, often
causing acne and body odor
Changed distribution in weight and fat; more
subcutaneous fat and fat deposits mainly around the
buttocks, thighs and hips
Sex hormones
Play roles in:
The development and function of the reproductive organs
The growth and development of many other organs and tissues
Sexual behavior and drives