Female Reproductive
System
Alaa Bawaneh, MD. Ph.D
Female Reproductive Organs
+Mammary glands (Breasts)
Relationship of the uterine tubes to the ovaries,
uterus, and associated structures
Female Reproductive System
• The primary role of the ovaries are to produce mature 2 o oocytes
(female gametes) and release one (ovulation) during each monthly
ovarian cycle
• Ovaries secrete the female hormones estrogen, progesterone, and
inhibin.
Female Reproductive Physiology
• During reproductive years,
nonpregnant females normally
exhibit cyclical changes in the
ovaries and uterus
• Each cycle takes about a
month and involves both
oogenesis (ovarian cycle) and
preparation of the uterus to
receive a fertilized ovum
Female sexual cycle: Menstrual cycle
The normal reproductive years of the female are characterized by
monthly (28d) rhythmical changes in the rates of secretion of the
female hormones and corresponding physical changes in the ovaries
and other sexual organs.
Ovarian Cycle Endometrial Cycle
Follicular phase Menstruation
Ovulatory phase Proliferative phase
Luteal phase Secretory phases
The Ovarian Cycle
• The formation of gametes in the ovaries is termed oogenesis.,
oogenesis is more complex and begins in females before they
are even born
• During early fetal development, primordial germ cells migrate
from the yolk sac to the ovaries where they differentiate into
oogonia
• Oogonia are diploid (2n) stem cells that divide mitotically to
produce millions of germ cells
The Ovarian Cycle
• Even before birth, most oogonia degenerate, though a few develop
into larger cells called Primary oocytes that enter prophase of
meiosis I (during fetal development) but do not complete it.
• Each primary oocyte is surrounded by follicular cells in a primordial
follicle
The Ovarian Cycle
luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• At puberty, under the influence of LH and FSH, several primordial
follicles will be stimulated each month, although only one will typically
reach the maturity needed for ovulation
• Maturing oocytes within maturing follicles undergo a series of
developmental stages which ultimately brings one secondary oocyte
within a mature follicle to the point of ovulation
• The ovulated secondary oocyte will have completed meiosis I, and
so have the haploid number of chromosomes (1n)
Ovulation GnRH
GnRH Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
1 1High
High levels
levels ofof Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
estrogens
estrogens from
from
almost mature 2 GnRH promotes
almost mature
follicle stimulate release of FSH
follicle stimulate
release and more LH
release ofof more
more
GnRH
GnRH andandLHLH LHLH
Anterior
Anterior pituitary
pituitary
Ovary
Ovary
Almost
Almost mature
mature Corpus
Corpus hemorrhagicum
hemorrhagicum
(graafian)
(graafian) follicle
follicle (ruptured
(ruptured follicle)
follicle)
The Ovarian Cycle
• At ovulation the mature (Graafian) follicle ruptures to expel the secondary oocyte
into the pelvic cavity, normally to be swept into the uterine tube - if not fertilized, it
degenerates
• f sperms are present and one penetrates the secondary oocyte, meiosis II resumes
The Ovarian Cycle
• In the ovary, the mature Graafian follicle has become a corpus luteum,
a temporary structure essential for establishing and maintaining
pregnancy in females
• It secretes progesterone, which is responsible for maintenance of the
endometrium,
• After approx. 14 days, if the secondary oocyte is not fertilized, the corpus
luteum stops secreting progesterone and degenerates into a corpus
albicans (just a mass of fibrous scar tissue)
The Ovarian Cycle
• Without estrogen, and then with abrupt progesterone withdrawal,
the uterine lining cannot be maintained and it sloughs (menses) –
more on the uterine cycle shortly
• If, on the other hand, pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum is
“rescued” from degeneration by an LH-like hormone called human
chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG – produced by the developing
embryo).
• With hCG support, the corpus luteum goes on to produce
hormones well into the 1st trimester until the placenta can take over
The Ovarian Cycle
• The window of opportunity for fertilization to happen is approximately
2 days before ovulation to 1 day after ovulation (the sperm can
survive 48-72 hrs. in the uterine tube)
• At the moment of conception, the successful sperm penetrates the
plasma membrane of the secondary oocyte and the nuclear material
of the two cells unite to reconstitute the normal number of
chromosomes (2n)
• The new diploid cell is called a zygote
The Ovarian Cycle
• The events of
oogenesis and
follicular
development
are summarized
here
The Uterine Cycle
• In many ways the uterine or menstrual cycle closely
parallels the events happening in the ovaries
• Under the influence of the ovarian hormones, the uterine
lining undergoes cyclic events (3 phases) every 28 days (on
average):
• Menses marks the beginning of the cycle
• Proliferative phase
• Secretory phase
The Uterine Cycle
The Uterine Cycle
• Menses manifests as a degeneration of the endometrium when
levels of progesterone become insufficient
• Prostaglandin released by the “unsupported” endometrium
causes constriction of supply arteries causing a reduction in
blood flow: Bloody endometrial tissue eventually sloughs.
• Menstruation lasts 1–7 days with 50–150 ml of fluids and cells
lost
The Uterine Cycle
• Under the influence of estrogens released from the new
developing follicles the proliferative phase begins, and the
uterine epithelium is restored.
• The secretory phase begins around the time of ovulation.
Endometrial glands increase the secretion of mucous-rich
glycogen and the endometrium reaches maximum thickness and
maturity under the influence of estrogens and progesterone
Ovarian Hormones
• Estrogen, progesterone, and
inhibin are all secreted by ovaries
(and the placenta during pregnancy).
• Estrogen is responsible for the presence of
secondary sex characteristics (adipose tissue in the
breasts, mons pubis, abdomen, and hips, voice pitch,
and broad pelvis)
Ovarian Hormones
• Progesterone is the principal hormone responsible for
maturation of the uterine endometrium, as well as an
important player in stimulating breast development
• It inhibits GnRH and LH through a negative feedback
loop
Ovarian Hormones
• Inhibin is released by granulosa cells, and then in large amount by the
corpusluteum; it inhibits FSH and LH
The Male Reproductive Systems
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Reproduction Overview
• Sexual Reproduction is the process in which organisms
produce offspring by means of uniting gametes (sperm and
egg)
• Male reproductive organs secrete androgen
hormones, produce gametes (sperm), and facilitate
fertilization.
• Female reproductive organs secrete female
hormones, produce gametes (ova), facilitate fertilization
and sustain growth of the embryo and fetus.
Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Control of Male Sexual Function by Hormones
from the Hypothalamus and Anterior Pituitary
• FSH and LH
§ GnRH more tightly linked to LH
§ No FSH and LH in absence of GnRH
§ LH stimulates interstitial cells of Leydig
in the testes to secrete testosterone
§ Mature Leydig cells found in child’s
testes for a few weeks after birth, then
they disappear until puberty
§ Negative feedback
§ Testosterone inhibits LH release at
anterior pituitary and hypothalamus
primarily
§ Inhibin from Sertoli cells acts on
anterior pituitary cells
§ FSH role
§ Growth of Sertoli cells-initiate
spermatogenesis.
Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Male Reproductive Anatomy
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Male reproductive system organs
Gonads – testes
• Produces sperms and secretes hormones
System of ducts –Epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra
• Transport and stores sperm, assist in their maturation, and convey them to
the exterior
Accessory sex glands – Seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
• Adds secretions to semen
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The Testes
• The testes or testicles, are paired oval glands
located in the scrotum.
• It is divided into several lobules.
• Each lobule contains one to three tightly coiled
tubules called the seminiferous tubules.
• The seminiferous tubules are the sites where
sperms are produced.
• Spermatogenesis is the process by which the
seminiferous tubules produce sperms.
• The seminiferous tubules contain two types of
cells:
1. Spermatogenic cells
2. Sertoli (sustentacular) cells
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Male Reproductive Physiology
• Prenatal secretion of testosterone assists testicular descent
and development of male external genital
• Secretion of testosterone at puberty leads to development of
male secondary sexual characteristics
• stimulation of anabolism (musculoskeletal and protein
growth)
• hair growth patterns
• voice changes
• development of libido (sexual drive)
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Spermatogenesis
• Spermatozoa are produced in the
seminiferous tubules by sperm stem cells
called spermatogonia
• At the beginning of puberty, the
anterior pituitary increases secretion
of the gonadotrophs LH and FSH
• Follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) stimulates Sertoli cells
and increases the rate of
spermatogenesis
Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Spermatogenesis
• LH stimulates Leydig cells, which are located between seminiferous
tubules, to secrete the hormone testosterone (synthesized from
cholesterol)
• Once the degree of spermatogenesis (sperm formation) required for male
reproductive functions
has been achieved,
Sertoli cells release
inhibin, a hormone
that inhibits FSH
Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Testosterone
• Leydig cells are almost nonexistent
in the testes during childhood.
• They are numerous in the newborn
male infant for the first few months
of life and in the adult male after
puberty.
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Testosterone
hCG
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Spermatogenesis
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Spermatogenesis
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Spermatozoa (sperm)
• The acrosome is a cap-like vesicle filled with enzymes
(hyaluronidase and proteases) that help a sperm to
penetrate a secondary oocyte to bring about
Fertilization
• The middle piece contains many
mitochondria which provide
the energy (ATP) for locomotion
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Effect of Temperature on Spermatogenesis
• Increasing the temperature of the testes can prevent
spermatogenesis by causing degeneration of most cells of the
seminiferous tubules besides the spermatogonia.
• It has often been stated that the reason the testes are located in
the dangling scrotum is to maintain the temperature of these
glands below the internal temperature of the body, although
usually only about 2°C below the internal temperature.
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Effect of Temperature on Spermatogenesis
• On cold days, scrotal reflexes cause the musculature of the
scrotum to contract, pulling the testes close to the body to
maintain this 2° differential.
• Thus, the scrotum acts as a cooling mechanism for the testes
(but a controlled cooling), without which spermatogenesis might
be deficient during hot weather.
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Accessory Glands
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Accessory Glands
• Seminal vesicles
• secrete a viscous, alkaline fluid.
• makes up 60% of ejaculate volume
• contains fructose (for energy), prostaglandins (to
stimulate smooth muscle contractions), and clotting
proteins (fibrinogen).
decreases sperm
damage in the urethra
(PSA and hyaluronidase)
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Accessory Glands
• The prostate:
• secretes about 25% of ejaculate volume.
• milky, slightly acidic solution containing citric acid
(for energy), acid phosphatase, and proteolytic
enzymes (PSA and hyaluronidase)
• The bulbourethral gland secretes a protective
alkaline mucus that decreases sperm damage in
the urethra
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Semen
• Semen is a mixture of sperm and seminal fluid, a liquid that
consists of the secretions of the seminiferous tubules,
seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
• The volume of semen in a typical ejaculation is 2.5–5
milliliters (mL), with 50–150 million sperm per mL
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