The Reproductive System

Montree Maneepark, PhD

Primary sex organ - gonad

Producing sex cells (gametes)
Sperm Egg

Ovary Testis

Producing sex hormones

Androgen Estrogen Progesterone

Meiosis

Spermatogenesis
Before puberty Spermatogonia Mitosis Spermatocytes Meiosis

Mitosis
Spermatogonia

Puberty
Spermatids

Spermiogenesis
Sperms (spermatozoa)

Sustentocytes

Blood-testis barrier

Spermiogenesis

Metabolic

Genetic

locomotor

Role of the sustentocytes

Blood-testis barrier Providing nutrients and signals Phagocytizing faulty germ cells and excess cytoplasm Secreting testicular fluid (transport medium)

Hypothalamicpituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis

Sperm count >20 million/ml

GnRH Gonadotropin-releasing hormone Gonadotropin FSH

Follicle stimulating hormone

LH
Luteinizing hormone

ABP
Androgen-binding protein

Level of testosterone vs. age

Effects of testosterone
Effect on reproductive organ
Formation of ducts, glands, genitalia Descending the testis Stimulating maturation and maintaining function of reproductive organ Spermatogenesis

Promoting secondary sex characteristics

Hair growth, growth of the larynx Increasing skeleton and muscle mass

Effects of testosterone
Metabolic effects
Enhancing the basal metabolic rate

Neural effects
Sex drive Aggressive

Male duct system and accessory glands

Epididymis
Storing sperm
Several months

Secrete nutrients Antimicrobial protein

Defensins

Gaining sperm motility Ejaculation

Smooth muscle in the ducts

Ductus deferens, Ejaculatory duct, and Urethra

Seminal gland Ampulla of ductus deferens Ejaculatory duct Prostate gland

Prostatic urethra Intermediate part of the urethra

Spongy urethra Ductus deferens

Strong peristaltic waves

Urethral glands Mucus

Seminal glands
Viscous fluid
Alkaline Fructose sugar
Energy source

Coagulating enzyme
Sticky mass Stick to the wall of vagina

Prostaglandins
Decrease the viscosity of mucus at cervix Stimulate reverse peristalsis in the uterus

70% volume of semen

Sperm + Testicular fluid + accessory gland secretion pH 7.2 8.0

Prostate
Milky fluid
Citrate (as nutrient)

Activating sperm 30% volume of semen

Bulbo-urethral glands
Thick, clear mucus
Lubricating urethra and glans penis

Oogenesis
1M oocytes

300,000 oocytes

1 dominant follicle/months

<500 oocytes

Ovarian cycle
Usually 28 days (21-40 days)
Theca folliculi Zona pellucida (glycoprotein) Granulosa cell

Follicular phase 14 days Ovulation Luteal phase 14 days always constant

Corona radiata

HPG axis

Hormonal, ovarian, and uterine cycle

Effects of estrogen
Effect on reproductive organ
Stimulating maturation and maintaining function of reproductive organ Oogenesis Breast development

Promoting secondary sex characteristics

Development of wider pelvis Deposition of subcutaneous fat (breast, hip) Bone growth, epiphyseal closure, inhibiting bone reabsorption

Effects of estrogen
Neural effects
Sex drive (along with DHEA)

Effects of progesterone
Effect on reproductive organ
Promoting secretory phase of the uterine cycle Breast development (along with estrogen) During pregnancy, inhibiting uterine motility

female duct system and accessory glands

Uterine tubes / oviducts

Smooth muscle
Peristalsis

Thick mucosa
Ciliated epithelial cell
Beating

Non-ciliated epithelial cell

Secretion

Uterus
The uterine wall Perimetrium
Outermost serous layer

Myometrium
Smooth muscle

Endometrium
Mucosa
Simple columnar epithelial Thick lamina propria

The uterus: endometrium

Stratum functionalis - Functional layer
Cyclic change Responsive to ovarian hormones Shed during menstruation

Stratum basalis - Basal layer

Unresponsive to ovarian hormones Forming new functional layer

Cervix
Cervical canal Cervical glands
Mucus
Fill cervical canal Cover external os Block the spread of bacteria

Vagina
Stratified squamous epithelial cell
Glycogen Lactic acid
Free of infection
Vagina

Mammary glands
Function only in female Lobes (15-25 lobes)
Lobules
Glandular alveoli Produce milk

Lactiferous ducts Lactiferous sinus

Accumulate milk

From gamete to fetus

Sperm penetration

Sperm- surface hyaluronidase

Acrosomal and cortical reaction

Acrosomal reaction Membrane fusion Cortical reaction Oocyte spermbinding receptor Zona pellucida spermbinding receptor Increased [Ca2+]i

Event of fertilization
Continue Meiosis II pronucleus

Pronucleus

Fertilization

Cleavage: zygote to blastocyst

Zygote Cleavage: cell division without cell growth

Blastocyst Morula

Trophoblast

Inner cell mass

Implantation
Embryo is nourished by uterine secretion.

Implantation of the blastocyst

Trophoblast
Cell-surface expression of integrin and selectin Binding ECM and selectinbinding carbohydrate

Syncytiotrophoblast
Multinuclear cytoplasmic mass Secreting digestive enzyme and growth factor Secreting hCG

Cytotrophoblast

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

LH-like hormone Maintaining corpus luteum
Secreting progesterone and estrogen

Promoting placenta development

Protease activity Autocrine growth factor

Placentation
Embryo is nourished by digesting endometrial cells.

Placenta: a temporary organ originated from embryonic and maternal tissues

Placentation

Function of placenta: Nutritive, respiratory, excretory, and endocrine organ

Placenta

Circulation in fetus and newborn

Hormonal change during pregnancy

Placenta

Placenta

Corpus luteum

Parturition (birth/labor)

Formation of gap junction

** Paracrine

Cervical distension

Stages of labor
Expulsion

Dilation

Placental stage

Lactation: late pregnancy

Milk production from mammary gland
Placental hormone
Estrogen Progesterone Human placental lactogen

Stimulating prolactin-releasing factor (PRF)prolactin axis

Initial birth
Colostrum: yellowish fluid
Containing more protein, vitamin A, and minerals Rich in IgA antibodies

Lactation: after birth

Sex-determining region of the Y chromosome

Development of reproductive system

Development of reproductive system

Testosterone

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Syphilis Treponema pallidum Primary
Red, painless primary lesion (23 weeks)

Secondary
Several weeks later Pink skin rash all over the body Fever and joint pain

Tertiary
Destructive lesions of CNS, blood vessel, bone, and skin

Penicillin

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Genital Herpes Herpes simplex virus 2 Painful, blisterlike lesion Asymptom Periodic remission Acyclovir

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

HPV Human papillomavirus
A group of about 60 viruses

Interferon Gardasil
Vaccine against HPV

Genital warts Cervical cancer

Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear)