Reproductive Physiology

Gian Carlo Delante, PhB PTRP RPT

Fetal Development of the

Reproductive System
Each cell in the body contains23 pairs of
chromosomes
this includes a pair of sex chromosomes

Sex chromosomes
consist of a largeX chromosomeand a smallerY
chromosome
Egg cells
contain an X chromosome

Sperm
can carry either an X or Y chromosome

The sex of the future baby is determined at the

point of fertilization
if a sperm carrying the X chromosomes penetrates the
egg carrying the X chromosome, then a female will
develop (XX). If, on the other hand, a sperm carrying
the Y chromosomes fertilizes the X chromosome
bearing egg, then a male will develop (XY)

However, development of each respective

reproductive tract does not begin immediately
after fertilization

Fetal Development of the

Reproductive System
During the first 6 weeks of
development, male and female
embryos contain common
(sometimes called indifferent)
gonads
These structures will eventually
form the testes in the male or the
ovaries in the female.
Two sets of primitive reproductive
tracts
Wolffian Duct (mesonephric)
Mullerian Duct (paramesonephric)

With the correct cues, these

structures will form either the
male or female reproductive
tracts

Fetal Development of the

Reproductive System
Developing male embryo
At roughly 6 to 7 weeks the
presence of theY
chromosome causes the
indifferent gonads to develop
into the testes

Developing female embryo

at about 9 weeks theXX
chromosomes are activated
and ovaries develop

Once the testes or ovaries

have developed, the
reproductive tracts and
external genitalia follow

Fetal Development of the

Reproductive System
Developing male fetus at 7 weeks
testicular cells begin to produceMullerian inhibiting
hormone (MIH)which causes the Mullerian duct to
regress

At 9 weeks
testicular cells begin to produce testosterone
testosterone stimulates the Wolffian duct to develop
into the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal
vesicles, and the urethra
The presence of testosterone also causes the
development of the male external genitalia

Development of the female reproductive tract

and external genitalia
requiresno hormonal control

Since there isno Mullerian inhibiting

hormone
the Mullerian duct develops into the fallopian tubes,
uterus, cervix, and part of the vagina

Since no testosterone is produced

the Wolffian duct regresses and female external
genitalia develop

Introduction

The function of the male reproductive system is to:

produce the sex steroidtestosterone, to produce
sperm(calledspermatogenesis), and to deliver it to the female vagina

testosterone has many effects throughout the body, especially at

puberty.
The female reproductive system is more complex and is
responsible for:
producing the sex steroid estrogenand the hormoneprogesterone
produceseggs, receives the sperm, and provides the optimal conditions
for the development of the fetus

The Male Reproductive System

Structure
Theexternal genitaliaof the male
consists of the penisandscrotum
Penis
Urethra
glans penis
erectile tissue corpus
spongiosumandcorpus cavernosum

Scrotum
contains thetesteswherespermand
testosteroneare produced

After production, the sperm is stored in

theepididymis
During ejaculation
sperm travels through theductus
deferens(orvas deferens)
mixes with fluid from theseminal vesicles
passes through the prostate
receives more fluid from the bulbourethral
(Cowper's) gland
enters the urethra
and passes out through the penis

The Male Reproductive System

Structure
The testes consists of almost 1000 coiled
seminiferous tubules, each of which is roughly 150
cm (60 inches) long
After formation in the seminiferous tubule, the sperm
move into the epididymisanother coiled tube that
is roughly 6 meters (20 feet long)
The epididymis drains into theductus
deferens(orvas deferens)
Close inspection of the seminiferous tubules shows
that they containSertoli cellsand developing sperm
Immediately outside the seminiferous tubule are
theLeydig cells(also called interstitial cells)

The Male Reproductive System

Function
Seminiferous tubules
site of spermatogenesis

Sertoli cells
regulatespermatogenesisand nourish developing sperm
cells (called spermatogonia)
produce the hormone inhibin and activin to regulate FSH
secretion
secrete fluid that pushes the immature sperm to the
epididymis
form what is called the blood-testis barrier

The Blood-Testis Barrier (BTB)

isolates the developing sperm cells from the blood so that
immune cells do not attack these genetically different cells
If the BTB did not develop properly, immune cells would attack
and destroy the developing sperm resulting in sterility

Leydig cells
located in the interstitial space between the seminiferous
tubules
producetestosterone in the presence of LH

The Male Reproductive System

Function
Epididymis
the final maturation area and storage site for sperm

Vas(orductus)Deferens
carries the sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory
duct

Ejaculatory duct
drains into the urethra

Seminal Vesicles
contribute a large amount (60%) of fluid to the semen
during ejaculation. The fluid, rich in fructose and
enzymes, helps to maintain and nourish the sperm

Prostate gland
secretes enzymes and fluid that help to neutralize the
acid environment of the urethra and vagina

Bulbourethral gland(also called Cowper's

gland)
secretes a fluid that helps to neutralize the pH and
lubricate the urethra and vagina to create an optimal
environment for the sperm

Urethra
transports the sperm during ejaculation and drains the
bladder during urination

The Male Reproductive System

Spermatogenesis
As the male begins puberty and starts producing
testosterone, sperm production (spermatogenesis)
begins
The spermatogonia, orgerm cells
which contain 46 chromosomes (diploid)
located at the outer edge of the seminiferous tubules
divide by mitosis into two cellsone will continue as a
spermatogonia and the other will develop into a primary
spermatocyteeach still containing 46 chromosomes

Primary spermatocyte
During first meiotic division: divides into two secondary
spermatocyte
During second meiotic division: divides into four
spermatids

Throughout this process, the dividing cells, which are

surrounded and nourished by the Sertoli cells, work their
way to the center of the tubule
Spermatids
develop into sperm cells, where they are released by the
Sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules

This whole process takes 64 days to complete and ends

with 4 sperm cells that contains 23 chromosomes each
(haploid)half of the original number

The Male Reproductive System

Spermatogenesis

The Male Reproductive System

Spermatogenesis

The Male Reproductive System

Spermatogenesis
Although not fully mature and
able to swim, the sperm cell
contains:
head with an acrosome and
nucleus
midpiece with mitochondria
long tail or flagellum that will
propel the sperm once it fully
matures

Complete maturation of the

sperm
takes another 12 days
occurs as the sperm are moved to
the epididymis by the fluid that is
secreted by the Sertoli cells

The Male Reproductive System

Control of Testicular Function
The functions of the testes are controlled
byfollicle stimulating hormone
(FSH)andluteinizing hormone (LH, sometimes
called interstitial cell stimulating hormone or
ICSH)
released by the anterior pituitary gland in response to
gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)from the
hypothalamus

FSH
acts on theSertoli cellsto promote
spermatogenesiswhile also producing the
hormoneinhibin

Inhibin feeds back to the anterior pituitary to

decrease the release of LH and FSH
LH
stimulates theLeydig cellsto produce the male sex
hormonetestosterone

Testosterone, also essential for spermatogenesis,

will feed back to both the hypothalamus and the
anterior pituitary to decrease the production
and secretion of LH and FSH

The Male Reproductive System

Testosterone
Testosterone
asteroid hormone
produced by theLeydigcells in the testes

Testosterone production
involves a series of complex reactions that begins with
cholesteroland the formation of several
intermediates ending in the production of testosterone

Also of interest is the presence

ofprogesterone, one of the female hormones,
as one of the intermediates leading to
testosterone production

The Male Reproductive System

Testosterone Levels and Age
The levels of testosterone vary
throughout life
The diagram at right shows that
there is arise in testosterone
levels during fetal
development
This rise in testosterone is
necessary for thedevelopment of
the male reproductive tract and
external genitaliain the fetus

After birth there is another brief

increase in testosterone
function of this is unknown

The levels of testosterone then

remain low until puberty

The Male Reproductive System

Testosterone
Puberty marks the transition from childhood (nonreproductive state) to adulthood (reproductive state)
Puberty
in males occurs between the ages 9 to 14
levels ofgonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) begin to
increase

GnRH increase
cause remains unclear, however, leads to anincrease in LH
and FSH, which then causetestosterone levels to rise, as
well

This increase causes the final maturation of the male

reproductive system to the point where mature sperm is
produced
Sexual maturity and peak testosterone levels are
reached around the age of 16 to 18

The Male Reproductive System

Testosterone

The Male Reproductive System

Testosterone
Beginning at roughly 40 years of age there is a slow
decrease in the levels of testosterone
At age 50 sperm production begins to decrease
Andropause
period of decreased testosterone production
may occur because the Leydig cells, which produce
testosterone, no longer fully respond to LH

Andropause is accompanied by:

decreased sexual desire and erectile ability
fatigue and depression
decreased lean body mass
increased obesity
decreased bone density

The Female Reproductive

SystemStructure
Vulva
collective name for the external
genitaliaof the female

The vulva includes the:

Clitoris
a small mound of erectile tissue
derived from the same embryonic tissue
as the glans penis

Labium majus
also called thelabia majora
surrounds thelabia minus
derived from the same embryonic tissue
as the scrotum

Labia minus
also called thelabia minora
derived from the same embryonic tissue
as the shaft of the penis
encloses the vaginal orificethe
opening to the vagina

The Female Reproductive

SystemStructure
The female internal genitalia includes:
Vagina
canal that receives the penis during intercourse and where
sperm is deposited

The sperm will travel through thecervixinto

theuterus(also called the womb), which is a muscular
walled, hollow organ
The sperm will continue to theFallopian tubes
also called uterine tubes
roughly 20 cm (8 inches) long and end at thefimbria

The egg, which is produced in theovaries, is released

and travels through thefimbriato the fallopian tubes to
meet the sperm

The Female Reproductive

SystemFunctions
Thevagina(also called the birth canal)
receives the penis and the sperm during copulation
allows for the discharge of fluid during menstruation, and the
birth of the baby

Thecervix
secretes mucus that varies during the menstrual cyclefrom
thin (to facilitate sperm entry) to thick (to prevent sperm entry)

Theuterus
site of implantation of the fertilized egg
where the developing embryo is nourished and maintained
during the menstrual cycle, the uterine lining undergoes several
phases under hormonal control

Thefallopian tubes
site of fertilizationof the egg
they contain cilia that pass the egg from the fimbria to the
uterus

Thefimbriae
"capture" the egg after it is expelled from the ovaries and funnel
it into the infundibulum

The ovaries
produce eggs (oogenesis) as well as the
hormonesestrogenand progesterone

The Female Reproductive

SystemThe Ovaries
Ovaries
produce the female sex
hormones:
Estrogen
Progesterone

produce egg cells

through a process
called oogenesis

The Female Reproductive

SystemOogenesis
Oogenesis
During this development, the egg is contained in a structure called
thefollicle
The first stage begins with the production of several
millionoogoniain the developing female embryo
These develop into aprimary folliclethat consists of a single
outer layer ofgranulosa cellsthat contain theprimary oocyte
The primary oocyte and follicle remain in this form until puberty

The Female Reproductive

SystemOogenesis
Atpubertythe ovaries are activated by
the gonadotropic hormones LH
andFSH
By this time, only several hundred thousand
primary oocytes and follicles have survived

The female also begins hermenstrual

cycle, during which time a few primary
follicles will begin to grow
Afterpubertythe primary follicle develops
another ring of cells calledtheca cells,
which lie outside the granulosa cells
(secondary follicle)
The granulosa cells secrete a fluid into
the interior of the follicle, which forms into
theantrum
The primary follicle slowly enlarges and
develops into amature follicle (Graafian
follicle)
The oocyte will separate from the
granulosa cells and will float around freely
in the antrum immediately before ovulation
It is important to note that oogenesis
results in the production of only one viable
oocyte, unlike spermatogenesis where
millions of sperm are produced

The Female Reproductive

SystemOvulation
Events that lead to OVULATION:
As the follicle grows, the production ofestrogen from the ovaries begins
to increase dramatically, causing the granulosa cells of the follicle to
grow and produce even more estrogen (theca cells also produce estrogen)
Rather than feeding back to the hypothalamus and pituitary to decrease
the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH), this increased estrogen causes apositive feedback, dramatically
increasing the levels of FSH and particularly LH
This "LH surge" causes the granulosa cells to secrete large amounts of
fluid into the antrum, causing it to swell, rupture, and expel the egg
The egg will then be gathered by the fimbriae into the fallopian tube
The mature follicle then degenerates into the hormone-releasing corpus
luteum (progesterone)
The corpus luteum will degenerate into the corpus albicans if pregnancy
does not occur

The Female Reproductive SystemHormones

of the OvariesEstrogen Levels with Age
Estrogen levels vary throughout the life of
the female just like testosterone did in the
male
Levels of estrogen during childhood arelow
until puberty
Puberty in the female
generally occurs between 8 and 13 years of
age and is marked by adramatic rise in
estrogen levels

Just like in the male, this increase in estrogen

is caused byincreased secretion of
gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH)
from the hypothalamus
cause remains unknown

This rise in GnRH increases the release of LH

and FSH from the anterior pituitary
Pulsatile nature of the estrogen levels
these very high levels cause a positive feedback
at the pituitary that produces the LH surgeto
cause ovulation

The Female Reproductive System

Hormones of the Ovaries
Estrogen Levels with Age
Much like in the male, estrogen levels reach a peak and then
begin to decline in adulthood
Between the ages of 40 to 50
the menstrual cycle, becomes irregular and ovulation may not occur
during some cycles

around the age of 50

Eventually the cycles stop altogether - MENOPAUSE

Menopause
the period marked by decreased estrogen production and cessation of the
menstrual cycle
characterized by "hot flashes," irritability and anxiety, fatigue, lack
of strength, and decreased bone density

Throughout the life of the female roughly 400 primary follicles

grow into mature follicles and ovulate, while many hundreds of
thousands degenerate
Menopause seems to be caused by thisdecrease in the number of
primary folliclesin the ovaries

The Female Reproductive System

Hormones of the Ovaries
levels of LH, FSH, estrogen,
and progesterone vary
throughout the monthly
menstrual cycle
Levels of LH and FSH
fluctuate dramatically and
will cause the ovulation of
the egg from the follicle
Once the egg has been
released, the follicle
degenerates into the corpus
luteum, which continues to
produce progesterone

The Female Reproductive

SystemThe Menstrual Cycle
The proliferative phase, days 7 to 14:
The follicle increases production of estrogen, causing luteinizing
hormone (LH) to surge
The follicle ruptures, and the egg is expelled
Estrogen and progesterone stimulate growth of the uterine lining

The secretory/luteal phase, days 14 to 28:

The follicle develops into corpus luteum and increases production of
progesterone that prepares the uterus for implantation
If fertilization and implantation do not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates
into scar tissue called the corpus albicans and progesterone levels drop

Menses, days 0 to 7:
Levels of LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, and
progesterone are low
The lining of the uterus cannot be maintained, and the uterine lining is
lost

The cycle repeats

The Female Reproductive

SystemThe Birth Control Pill
The birth control pill ("The Pill" or hormonal contraception)
most widely used form of contraception in North America
two principal hormones found in the pill synthetic estrogen and/or
progesterone (These hormones are found in a number of combinations
and strengths

The versions that contain a combination of estrogen and

progesterone act like the natural hormones
feedback to the hypothalamus todecrease GnRH levels, and to the
anterior pituitary to decrease the levels of LH and FSH
low FSH levelssuppress development of the follicles
low LH levelsprevent the LH surge which then prevents ovulation
The synthetic progesterone in the pill produces a thick cervical mucous
that inhibits sperm entering the uterus
Progesterone also decreases the motility of the uterus and fallopian
tubeswhich normally help transport the egg and sperm to the site of
fertilization