HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM

A.Wardihan Sinrang
Rahmawati
Universitas Hasanuddin
MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Male Reproductive System

 Testes:
 Seminiferous
tubules:
 Contain receptor
proteins for FSH in
Sertoli cells.
 FSH stimulates
spermatogenesis
to occur.
 Leydig cells:
 LH stimulates
secretion of
testosterone.
 Contain receptor
proteins for LH.
Control of LH and FSH Secretion

 Negative feedback:
 Testosterone inhibits LH
and GnRH production.
 Maintain relatively constant Insert fig. 20.13
secretion of LH and FSH.
 Declines gradually in men
over 50 years of age.
 Testosterone converted to
DHT, which inhibits LH.
 Inhibin inhibits FSH secretion.
 Aromatization reaction
producing estradiol in the
brain, is required for the
negative feedback effects.
Derivatives of Testosterone

Insert fig. 20.14

Endocrine Function of the Testes

 Testosterone and its

derivatives are responsible
for initiation and
maintenance of body
changes in puberty.
 Stimulate growth of
muscles, larynx, and bone
growth until sealing of the
epiphyseal discs.
 Promote hemoglobin
synthesis.
 Act in paracrine fashion,
responsible for
spermatogenesis.
Estrogen Secretion

 Sertoli and Leydig cells secrete small

amounts of estradiol.
 Receptors found in Sertoli and Leydig cells and
accessory organs.
 May be responsible for:
 Negative feedback in brain.

 Sealing of epiphyseal plates.

 Regulatory function in fertility.

Spermatogenesis
 Spermatogonia:
 Replicate initially by
mitosis.
 One of the 2 primary
spermatocytes
undergoes meiosis:
 2 nuclear divisions:
 1st meiotic division
produces 2
secondary
spermatocytes.
 2nd meiotic division
produces 4
spermatids.
Spermiogenesis

 Maturation of
spermatozoa.
 Phagocytosis of
cytoplasm by the
Sertoli cells.
 Cytoplasm is
eliminated.
Sertoli Cells

 Form blood-testes barrier:

 Prevents autoimmune destruction of sperm.
 Produce FAS ligand which binds to the FAS receptor on surface to
T lymphocytes, triggering apoptosis of T lymphocytes.
 Prevents immune attack.

 Secrete inhibin.
 Phagocytize residual bodies:
 May transmit information molecules from germ cells to Sertoli
cells.
 Secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP):
 Binds to testosterone and concentrates testosterone in the
tubules.
Hormonal Control of
Spermatogenesis
 Formation of primary spermatocytes and
entry into early prophase I, begin during
embryonic development.
 Spermatogenesis arrested until puberty.
 Testosterone required for completion of
meiosis and spermatid maturation.
 Secrete paracrine regulators:
 IGF-1.
 Inhibin.
 Transforming growth factor.
 FSH necessary in the later stages of
spermatid maturation.
Male Accessory Organs

 Epididymis responsible for:

 Maturational changes.
 Resistance to pH changes and temperature.
 Storage of sperm between ejaculations.
 Ductus (vas) deferens:
 Carries sperm from epididymis into pelvic cavity.
 Seminal vesicles secrete:
 Fructose.
 Prostate secretes:
 Alkaline fluid.
 Citric acid.
 Ca2+.
 Coagulation proteins.
Erection, Emission, and Ejaculation

 Erection:
 Controlled by hypothalamus and spinal cord.
 Increased vasodilation of arterioles.
 Parasympathetic nervous system.
 NO is the NT.
 Blood flow into the erectile tissues of the penis.
 Emission:
 Movement of semen into the urethra.
 Stimulated by sympathetic nervous system.
 Ejaculation:
 Forcible expulsion of semen from the urethra out of the penis.
 Stimulated by sympathetic nervous system.
Male Fertility

 60-150 million sperm/ml ejaculate.

 Oligospermia:
 Sperm count of < 20 million/ml ejaculate.
 Decreased fertility caused by heat, pharmaceuticals, and illicit
drugs.
 Male contraception:
 Compounds that suppress gonadotropin secretion.
 Testosterone.
 Progesterone and GnRH antagonist.
 Vasectomy:
 Each ductus deferens is cut and tied.
 Interferes with sperm transport.
 May develop anti-sperm antibodies.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Female Reproductive System

 Ovaries:
 Contain a large number of follicles which
enclose ova.
 Extensions called fimbriae partially cover each
ovary.
 At ovulation, secondary oocyte is extruded.
 Fallopian (uterine) tubes:
 Ova drawn into the tubes by cilia.
Female Reproductive System (continued)

 Uterus, has 3 layers:

 Perimetrium:
 Outer layer of connective tissue.
 Myometrium:
 Smooth muscle layer.
 Endometrium:
 Inner layer of stratified, squamous, nonkeratinized
epithelium.
 Shed during menstruation.
 Vagina:
 Cervical mucus plug.
Ovarian Cycle
 5 mo. gestation, ovaries
contain 6-7 million
oogonia.
 Oogenesis arrested in
prophase of 1st meiotic
division (primary
oocyte).
 Apoptosis occurs:
 2 million primary oocytes at
birth.
 400,000 primary oocytes at
puberty.
 400 oocytes ovulated
during the reproductive
years.
Ovarian Cycle (continued)

 Primary oocytes are

contained in primary Insert fig. 20.32
follicles.
 FSH stimulates granulosa
cell growth.
 Develop into secondary
follicles.
 Fusion of its vesicles to
form the antrum.
 Mature graafian follicle.
 1st meiotic division
completed (secondary
oocyte).
 Polar body fragments.
Ovarian Cycle (continued)

 Secondary oocyte confined to graafian follicle.

 Arrested at metaphase II.
 Under FSH stimulation:
 Theca cells secrete testosterone.
 Granulosa cells contain the enzyme aromatase to
convert testosterone into estrogen.
 Granulosa cells form a ring (corona radiata) around
oocyte and form mound (cumullus oophorus).
 Between oocyte and corona radiata is zona pellucida.
 Provides barrier to the sperm to fertilize the egg.
Ovulation

 One graafian follicle

forms bulge on surface
of ovary.
 Extrudes secondary
oocyte into the uterine
tube.
 LH causes the empty
follicle to become
corpus luteum which
secretes:
 Progesterone and
estrogen.
 If not fertilized,
becomes corpus
albicans.
Pituitary-Ovarian Axis

 Hormonal interactions between the anterior

pituitary and the ovaries.
 Anterior pituitary secretes FSH and LH.
 Controlled by GnRH.
 FSH secretion is slightly greater than LH during
early phase of menstrual cycle.
 LH secretion greatly exceeds FSH secretion just
prior to ovulation.
 - feedback.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Menstrual Cycle

 Menstruation:
 Day 1-4/5.
 Day 1 is the first day of menstruation.
 Duration approximately 28 days.
 Secretions of estrogen and progesterone
are at their lowest.
 Ovaries contain only primary follicles.
Follicular Phase

 Lasts from day 1 to about 13.

 FSH:
 Follicles become increasingly sensitive to FSH.
 FSH stimulates the production of FSH receptors on the
granulosa cells.
 Toward the end of the phase, sensitivity of FSH
receptors increases.
 FSH and estradiol stimulate production of LH receptors
in graafian follicle.
 Rapid rise in estradiol from granulosa cells.
 Negative feedback on LH and FSH.
Follicular Phase (continued)

 Hypothalamus increases frequency of GnRH

pulses.
 Augments the ability of anterior pituitary to respond
to GnRH, to increase LH secretion.
 Positive feedback:
 LH surge begins 24 hours before ovulation.
 Triggers ovulation.

 FSH increase stimulates development of new follicles.

Endocrine Control of the Ovarian
Cycle
Ovulation

 Wall of graafian
follicle ruptures.
 Day 14.
 1st meiotic division
is completed.
Luteal Phase

 LH stimulates formation of the empty follicle into

corpus luteum.
 Corpus luteum secretes:
 Progesterone:

 Plasma concentration rapidly rises.

 Exerts negative feedback on LH and FSH.
 Inhibin:
 Suppresses FSH secretion.
 Inhibin production decreases towards end of luteal phase.
Luteal Phase (continued)

 Corpus luteum regresses unless fertilization

occurs:
 Estradiol decreases.

 Progesterone decreases.

 Withdrawal of estradiol and progesterone

cause menstruation to occur.
Cycle of Ovulation and Menstruation

Insert fig. 20.35

Cyclic Changes in the Endometrium

 Proliferative Phase:
 Ovary is in follicular phase.
 Estradiol stimulates growth of endometrium of
stratum functionale.
 Spiral arteries develop.
 Estradiol:
 Stimulate production of receptor proteins for
progesterone.
Cyclic Changes in the Endometrium
(continued)

 Secretory phase:
 Ovary is in luteal phase.
 Progesterone stimulates development of
uterine glands, which become engorged with
glycogen.
 Endometrium becomes thick, vascular, and
spongy.
 Cervical mucus thickens and becomes sticky.
Cyclic Changes in the Endometrium
(continued)

 Menstrual phase:
 Progesterone withdrawl causes constriction of
spiral arteries.
 Necrosis and sloughing of endometrium
occurs.
 Lasts 1-5 days.
Contraceptive Methods

 Contraceptive pill:
 Synthetic estrogen combined with synthetic
progesterone pills are taken once each day for 3 weeks
after the last day of menstruation.
 Negative feedback inhibits ovulation.
 Placebo pill taken the 4th week permits menstruation.
 Rhythm method:
 Women measure oral basal body temperature upon
awakening daily.
 On day of LH surge, there is a slight drop in basal body
temperature.
Menopause

 Cessation of ovarian activity and

menstruation.
 Age ~ 50 years.
 Ovaries are depleted of follicles.
 Estradiol and inhibin withdrawl causes hot
flashes, and atrophy of the vaginal wall.
 LH and FSH increase.
 FERTILIZATION,
PREGNANCY, AND
PARTURITION
Fertilization

 Ejaculation 300 million

sperm, 100 reach
(uterine) fallopian
tube.
 Capacitation occurs.
 Fertilization occurs in
the uterine tubes.
 Acrosome of sperm
contains
hyaluronidase, an
enzyme that digests a
channel through zona
pellucida.
 Sperm fuses with ovum
cell membrane.
Fertilization (continued)

 As fertilization occurs,
secondary oocyte
completes 2nd meiotic
division.
 Sperm enters ovum
cytoplasm.
 Ovum nuclear
membrane
disappears, zygote
formed.
 Centrosome of zygote
is derived from sperm
cell.
Cleavage and Blastocyst Formation

 Cleavage:
 30-36 hrs. after
fertilization, the zygote
divides by mitosis.
 About 50-60 hours after
fertilization, the early Insert fig. 20.43
embryo develops into
morula.
 Blastocyst develops:
 Inner cell mass

 Fetus.
 Surrounding chorion:
 Trophoblasts form
placenta.
Implantation

 6th day after

fertilization,
blastocyst attaches to
uterine wall. Insert fig. 20.45
 Trophoblast cells
produce enzymes
that allow blastocyst
to burrow into
endometrium.
Embryonic Stem Cells and Cloning

 Only fertilized egg cells and early cleavage cells are

totipotent:
 Ability to create the entire organism.
 Reproductive cloning:
 Adult stem cells can become totipotent if transplanted into egg
cell cytoplasm.
 Therapeutic cloning:
 Nucleus transplantation to produce stem cells for purpose of
growing specific tissue for the treatment of disease.
 Pluripotent:
 Cells obtained from inner cell mass of blastocyst (embryonic stem
cells) can give rise to all tissues except the placenta.
 Multipotent:
 Can give rise to a number of differentiated cells.
hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

 Trophoblast cells secrete

hCG:
 Signals corpus luteum not
to degenerate until

Insert fig. 20.46

placenta secretes adequate
[hormones].
 Prevents immunological
rejection of implanting
embryo.
 Has thyroid-stimulating
ability.
 Produces effects similar to
LH.
 Basis of pregnancy test.
Placenta

 Syncytiotrophoblast
secretes enzymes that
create blood filled
cavities in the maternal
tissue.
 Cytotrophoblast then
forms villi that grow
into the pools of
venous blood.
 Produces chorion
frondosum on the
side that faces the
uterine wall.
 Other side of chorion
bulges into the uterine
cavity.
Formation of the Placenta and
Amniotic Sac
 Decidual reaction:
 Endometrial growth.
 Accumulation of glycogen.
 Decidua basalis:
 Maternal tissue in contact
with the chorion
frondosum.
 Decidua basalis and
chorion fondosum
together become
placenta.
 Maternal and fetal blood
do not mix.
Amnion

 Envelop the embryo

and umbilical cord. Insert fig. 20.48
 Amniotic fluid initially
is isotonic, but as
fetus develops;
concentration
changes by urine and
sloughed cells of the
fetus, placenta, and
amniotic sac.
Placenta Function

 Site for exchange of gases and other

molecules between maternal and fetal
blood.
 Gas exchange:
 02 and C02.
 Nutrient exchange.
 Waste exchange.
 Synthesis of proteins and enzymes.
Placental Hormones

 hCS (chorionic somatomammotropin):

 Actions similar to GH.
 Actions similar to prolactin.
 hCS and GH cause diabetic-like effect:
 Glucose sparing effects by maternal tissues.

 Ensure sufficient supply of glucose for placenta

and fetus.
 Polyuria.
 Lipolysis.
Placental Hormones (continued)

 Fetal-placental unit:
 Placenta must cooperate with the adrenal
cortex in the fetus to produce estrogen.
 Estrogen/estriol stimulates:
 Endometrial growth.
 Inhibition of prolactin secretion.
 Growth of mammary ducts.
 Enlargement of mother’s uterus.
Placental Hormones (continued)

 Progesterone:
 Suppresses uterine contractions.
 Stimulates uterine growth.
 Suppresses LH and FSH.
 Stimulates development of alveolar tissue of
the mammary gland.
Parturition

 Estrogen in late pregnancy:

 Stimulates production of oxytocin receptors in
myometrium.
 Produces receptors for prostaglandins.
 Produces gap junctions between myometrium
cells in uterus.
 Factors responsible for initiation of labor
are incompletely understood.
Parturition (continued)

Insert fig. 20.52

Parturition (continued)

 Fetal adrenal cortex:

 Chain of events may be set in motion through
CRH production.
 Fetal adrenal zone secretes DHEAS, which
travel from fetus and placenta.
 Uterine contractions:
 Oxytocin.
 Prostaglandins.
Lactation

 Hypothalamus
releases PRH.
 Anterior pituitary
releases prolactin:
 Stimulates milk
production.
 Prolactin secretion
primarily controlled
by PIH.
 Oxytocin needed for
“milk letdown.”
Lactation (continued)

 Mammary gland:
 Lobules contain glandular
alveoli that secrete milk of
the lactating female.
 Alveoli secrete milk into
secondary tubule that
converge to form
mammary duct.
 Ampulla:
 Where milk accumulates
during nursing.
 Neuroendocrine reflex:
 Act of nursing maintains
high levels of prolactin.
 Sucking may cause release
of PRH.
Milk-Ejection Reflex

Insert fig. 20.55

terima kasih