Reproductive Systems

Male & Female

Function
To

ensure survival of the species

To produce egg and sperm cells

To transport and sustain these cells
To nurture the developing offspring
To produce hormones

Other systems strive to maintain a state of

homeostasis

Male
Functions

To produce, maintain and transport sperm (the

male reproductive cells) and protective fluid
(semen)
To produce and secrete male sex hormones
responsible for maintaining the male reproductive
system

Male
Consists

A pair of testes
A network of excretory ducts

of:

epididymis
vas deferens
ejaculatory ducts

Seminal vesicles
Prostate
Urethra
Penis

http://www.uh.edu/~tgill2/image010.jpg

Male

Testes / testicles

Produce sperm
(Spermatogenesis)
Sperm production begins at
puberty and continues
throughout the life of a male

Produce testosterone
Hair patterns and voice
changes
Development of the male
accessory organs (prostate,
seminal vesicles etc.)
Stimulates the effect of
protein building in the body
that is responsible for the
greater muscle
development and strength
of the male

Male

Epididymis
Sperm mature in
epididymis
Vas Deferens
Transports mature
sperm to the urethra
The scrotum keeps the
testes at a slightly
lower temperature
than the rest of the
body, if the testes get
too hot sperm count
may be damaged.

The Prostate
Size & shape of a chestnut
Encircles 1st part of urethra
3 types of glands

Contribute to semen (milky

fluid and enzymes)

Male

Urethra
Tube that carries urine
from the bladder to
outside of the body
Also carries semen out
of the body

Penis:

Holds urethra
Ejaculation of sperm
when erect and filled
with blood.

Male reproductive hormones

The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain. It makes various
hormones which are released into the bloodstream, including Luteinising Hormone
(LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).

LH triggers production of the hormone testosterone.

FSH and testosterone work together to stimulate the testes to produce sperm.

Testosterone helps to develop and enlarge the penis and other male sex organs.
Testosterone also helps to encourage muscle and skeletal growth and deepen the
male voice.

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Female
Functions

Produces the female egg cells

Transports the eggs to the site of fertilization
The fertilization of an egg by a sperm, occurs in
the fallopian tubes

Female
Functions

After fertilization, provides a place for a baby to

develop
If fertilization does not take place, the system is
designed to menstruate
Produces female sex hormones that maintain the
reproductive cycle.

Female
Consists

of:

Vagina
Uterus
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/graphics/bio
105/repro%20female.jpg

Female

Vagina

Canal that joins

the cervix (the
lower part of
uterus) to the
outside of the
body
Also is known
as the birth
canal

Female

Uterus

Hollow, pear-shaped
organ that is the home
to a developing fetus

Divided into two parts:

the cervix, the lower

part that opens into the
vagina
Main body of the uterus,
called the corpus.
The corpus can easily
expand to hold a
developing baby.
A channel through the
cervix allows sperm to
enter and menstrual
blood to exit

Female

Ovaries

Oval-shaped glands that

are located on either side
of the uterus
Produce eggs and
hormones.

http://www.ricancercouncil.org/img/cervical.gif

Female

Fallopian Tubes

Narrow tubes that are

attached to the upper part
of the uterus and serve as
tunnels for the egg cell to
travel from the ovaries to
the uterus
Fertilization of an egg by a
sperm, normally occurs in
the fallopian tubes
The fertilized egg then
moves to the uterus, where
it implants into the lining of
the uterine wall
http://www.ricancercouncil.org/img/cervical.gif

Female reproductive hormones

The activity of the female reproductive system is controlled by hormones

released both by the brain, and the ovaries. The combination of all these
hormones gives women their reproductive cycle.

There are five main hormones that control the reproductive cycle. Three
are produced in the brain, while the other two are made in the ovaries.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is made by a part of the

brain called the hypothalamus. GnRH travels to another part of the brain
where it controls the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and
luteinising hormone (LH).

FSH is released by a part of the brain called the anterior pituitary. FSH is
carried by the bloodstream to the ovaries. Here it stimulates the
immature ova to start growing.

LH is also released by the anterior pituitary and travels to the ovaries.

LH triggers ovulation and encourages the formation of a special
group of cells called the corpus luteum.

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Female reproductive hormones

Oestrogen is produced by the growing ova and by the corpus luteum. In

moderate amounts oestrogen helps to control the levels of GnRH, FSH and
LH. This helps to prevent the development of too many ova. Oestrogen also
helps to develop and maintain many of the female reproductive structures.

Progesterone is mainly released by the corpus luteum. It works with

oestrogen to prepare the lining of the uterus for the implantation of a
fertilised ovum. It also helps to prepare the breasts for releasing milk. High
levels of progesterone control the levels of GnRH, FSH and LH.

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Time: one cycle (approx 28 d.)

ovulation

Pituitary

Follicular phase

Luteal phase

FSH: follicle stimulating

hormone
LH: luteinizing hormone

Ovarian

hormones

hormones

Estrogen
Progesterone
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(inhibin: inhibits pituitary

secretion of FSH)

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