Reproductive system
What are two main functions of the testes?
produce hormones and sperm
Explain non-reproductive functions- effect on general metabolism - of testosterone and estradiol.
stimulate protein synthesis for healthier muscles and bones
How do hypothalamus and pituitary regulate reproductive hormones in male and female?
they make LH and FSH while other sex hormones that they stimulate the production of [estrogens] inhibit LH and FSH
Which hormone is made by the early embryo and what is its function? (This hormone is detected by pregnancy tests!)
Human chronic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone -continues to produce progesterone and keep the endometrium from being slough off
List the stages of meiosis cell division and explain what the goal of meiosis is.
Meiosis 1- cell divides to form two diploid cells Meiosis 2- those two cells split into four haploid cells Meiosis is to produce genetically different gametes
List the accessory glands of male reproductive system.
Seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral gland
Describe the histological structure of testis and name its parts. Where are the sperm cell produced?
Seminiferous tubules coiled in the testes and lead to ductus deferens. Outside seminal vesicles is Leydig cells while cells for sperm production are inside in different stages. Early stages are toward the edge and later stages are further in the middle Sperm cells are made in seminiferous tubule
Describe the structure of a sperm cell; how is it different from other cells in the body?
a pointed head with acrosome covering the top and a nucleus in the head. under the head is mitochondria and a middle piece holding the flagella
Which tissue helps an egg to move towards the uterus after ovulation?
ciliated simple columnar epithelium
In which part of female reproductive tract does fertilization normally happen?
fallopian tubes
What is the function of prostate gland?
produces a slightly acidic fluid that decreases bacteria in semen and contribute to sperm motility and viability
List the hormones that play a role in male reproduction and explain the role of each
-GnRH: stimulate gonadotropins by stimulating the anterior pituitary to make LH/FSH -LH: stimulate Leydig cells to produce testosterone -FSH: stimulate Sertoli cells -Testosterone: decreases GnRH and stimulates sperm production
Describe the histological structure of uterus
-Outer layer: perimetrium [simple squamous nonkeratinized and areolar] -Middle layer: myometrium [smooth muscle] -Endometrium: 1) simple columnar epithelium line lumen 2) thick lamina propria 3)uterine glands extend to almost myometrium. Stratum functionals sloughs off while stratum basalis stays
List the organs that make up female reproductive system and briefly explain the function of each.
-Ovaries: make oocytes -Fallopian tubes: move eggs to uterus - Uterus: pathway for sperm, holds the fetus, and source of mensural flow -Cervix: make cervical mucus that supplement energy sperm need and capacitation [causes a sperm tails to beat more vigorously and it prepares the sperm plasma membrane to fuse with the oocyte's plasma membrane] -Vagina: receptacle for penis, outlet for mensural flow, -Vulva: exterior genitals -Mammary glands: produce milk
List the organs that make up male reproductive system for and briefly explain the function of each.
-Scrotum: support testes -Testes: make sperm -Epididymis: sperm maturation -Ductus deferens: moves sperm to urethra from epididymis -Spermatic cord: drain testes and carry testosterone -Ejaculatory duct: eject sperm to urethra -Urethra: passageway for semen and urine -Penis: passageway for semen and urine, but also becomes erect Accessory: -Seminal vesicles (NOT seminiferous tubules): make viscous fluid to help sperm -Prostate: secrete milky, slightly acidic substance for semen -Bulbourethral (Cowper's) gland: secrete alkaline fluid during sexual arousal to lubricate the end of the penis and help sperm
Name common contraceptive techniques; explain how they work and their effectiveness.
-Surgical sterilization (0.5%-0.15% fail): using surgery to make someone infertile by cutting/tieing the reproductive tubes -Non-incisional sterilization (0.2%): nonsurgical implant of a coil to block the uterine tube -Hormonal method (0.1%-2% fail [25% for emergency contraception]): the use of hormones to prevent development of a follicle -Intrauterine devices (0.6%-0.8%): placing a small object in the uterus to block sperm from entering the uterine tubes -Spermicides (15%-29%): a substance that is placed in the vagina to kill sperm - Barrier methods (2%-21%): a physical barrier put on to prevent sperm from reaching the uterus -Periodic abstinence (2%-25%): avoiding intercourse during ovulation -Complete abstinence (0%)- no intercourse
How is the production of sperm (spermatogenesis) different from the production of eggs (oogenesis) at the cellular level (time of event, number of cells etc)?
1 spermatocyte makes 4 sperm cells [vs. 1] spermatogenesis doesn't have meiosis 1 at birth and then meiosis 2 after puberty [it all starts at puberty] spermatogenesis happens for a lifetime [oogenesis stops at menopause ~50]
Describe the location and function of the following testis cells: • Spermatogonia • Leydig cells • Sertoli cells
1) at the outer edge of seminiferous tubule. They are stem cells that become spermatocytes 2) in the space between seminiferous tubules. They produce testosterone 3) embedded among spermatogonia cells in seminiferous tubules. They form blood testes layer
Describe the functions of the following ovarian cells: • Oocytes • theca cells • granulosa cells • germinal epithelium
1) become eggs 2) produce androgen substrate for fertility 3)surround and nourish oocytes 4) give rise to follicular cells
Explain the roles of the following hormones in reproduction - where each is produced, regulation and effects: • LH • FSH • Estradiol • Progesterone • Testosterone • Oxytocin • Prolactin
1) from anterior pituitary to stimulate ovarian follicles to develop and release estrogens 2) from anterior pituitary to initiate follicular growth and release estrogens 3) from ovaries to develop and maintain reproductive structures and inhibit LH/FSH 4) from corpus luteum to prepare pregnancy and mammary glands for milk 5) From Leydig cells to make sperm 6) from hypothalamus to stimulate milk release 7) anterior pituitary to make milk
Describe the key cells and hormones that are involved in ovarian cycle.
Cells -Primary oocytes: egg -Stroma cells: surround follicle -Theca cells: make theca follicle layers -Granulosa cells: surround oocyte Hormones -LH/FSH -estrogens -progesterone
Give examples of negative and positive feedback in hormonal regulation of reproduction.
Negative -LH/FSH stimulate the secretions of estrogens and estrogens inhibit the release of LH/FSH so estrogen isn't too high Positive -when the head of the baby stretches the cervix during labor and oxytocin is released to intensify contractions
Describe the origin and functions of corpus luteum.
Origins -the cells left behind from when the Graafian cell was released Function -produce estrogens and progesterone to maintain endometrium in the uterus
List the stages of ovarian and uterine cycles and indicate how they correspond to each other; list main events of each stage (what happens at each stage?).
Ovarian -Follicular phase: follicles grow and estradiol increases while LH/FSH decreases -Ovulation phase: egg is released to fallopian tube -Luteal phase: corpus luteum formed and produce estrogens and progesterone Uterine -Mensural phase: bleeding from the endometrium being slough off -Proliferative phase: endometrium grows and glands form -Secretory phase: glands secrete progesterone phases happen at the same time in order and the decrease of estrogens from corpus luteum causes the cycle to restart
Explain the role of autonomic nervous system in erection and ejaculation?
Parasympathetic causes erection Sympathetic causes ejaculation
Compare male and female reproductive systems: indicate which organs and hormones have similar functions or similar origin (homologous structures)
Testes = Ovaries Sperm cell = ovum Scrotum = labia majora spongy urethra = labia minora intermediate urethra = vestibule bulb of penis = bulb of vestibule glans penis = clitoris prostate = paraurethral glands bulbourethral glands = greater vestibular glands estrogens = testosterone
List all the ducts/tubules that a sperm cell has to travel through from its formation to ejaculation.
seminal tubule ~> ducts of testes ~> epididymis ~> vas deferens ~> ejaculatory ducts ~> prostatic urethra ~> urethra
Where does the liquid in seminal fluid come from?
seminal vesticles
Describe the structure of ovary; name and describe different stages of ovarian follicles
small round organs with oocytes inside of them -Primordial follicle: small primary oocyte surrounded by a thin layer of follicular cells and stroma cells -Primary follicle: primary oocyte surrounded by Zona pellucida and granulosa cells. Theca folliculi are outside the basement membrane -Secondary follicle: corona radiata forms around primary oocyte, atrium starts to form. two layers of theca folliculi [theca externa/ theca interne] form -Graafian cell: Atrium is large and all cells are abundant