What you will learn today . . .

1. Sperm formation begins at puberty but continues throughout a male’s lifetime

2. Semen contain sperm from the testes, sugar, alkaline fluids, and prostaglandins from the seminal vesicles, Cowper’s glands, and prostate gland, respectively

3. Egg production begins in the womb, but they do not mature until puberty

4. A mature egg is called an ovum

The Reproductive System

Hormone Review

• The testes and ovaries are actually glands that secrete sex hormones, but they also store sperm and eggs.

• The changes of puberty are initiated by gonadotropins, released by the pituitary gland of the brain.

Male Reproductive System1. Production of sperm –

spermatogenesisa. Begins at puberty, continues entire

lifeb. Occurs in the testes

• Made of compartments called seminiferous tubules, which forms immature haploid spermatids• Enclosed within the scrotum which keeps testes

away from the body and at a lower temperature for optimal sperm development• Cells in the testes also produce testosterone

Male Reproductive System

Sperm Cell

Male Reproductive System2. The sperm’s

journeya. Epididymis: spermatids mature; develop tail and area with mitochondria for energy– Sperm can be held

here for up to four weeks

b. Vas deferens: tube that connect the epididymis to the urethra so sperm can exit the body

Male Reproductive Systemc. While in the urethra, the seminal

vesicles, prostate gland, and Cowper’s glands secrete fluids that make up semenSemen contains:– High concentrations of fructose that gives

sperm energy– Alkaline fluids that neutralize the acidic

condition of the vagina– Prostaglandins that stimulate contractions

in the female reproductive tract

Male Reproductive System

3. Delivery of sperma. The penis becomes erect when spongy tissue is engorged with blood;

this enables it to deposit sperm in female

b. The sperm is expelled during ejaculation, which releases 300-400 million sperm forced through the penis

by smooth muscle contractionsc. Components of semen help sperm reach the site of fertilization; most sperm are killed by acidic environment

of female reproductive tract

Male Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System

1. Egg formationa. Occurs in ovariesb. A female is born with all the eggs she will need in her lifetimec. Beginning at puberty the menstrual cycle regulates the maturation of eggs, about one every 28 days; the mature egg is called an ovum

Female Reproductive System

2. The ovum’s journeya. An ovum is released from the ovary into the abdominal cavityb. Ovum is swept up into the fallopian tubes by cilia

Female Reproductive System

c. Ovum travels from the tubes to the uterus, a hollow muscular organ– If the egg is fertilized it will remain in the

uterus

d. An unfertilized ovum will pass out of the body through the cervix then the vagina

Female Reproductive System

The menstrual cycle1. Follicular phase

a. An immature egg in the ovary is surrounded by other cells to form a follicle

b. Pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)c. FSH and LH cause the follicle to grow d. The follicle cells secrete estrogen which causes

the lining of the uterus wall to thickene. This phase lasts about 14 days, until the follicle

reaches the surface of the ovary

The menstrual cycle2. Ovulation

a. A burst of LH causes the follicle to rupture and release an ovum from the ovaryb. Ovum is swept into the fallopian tube; it

stays in the fallopian tube 48 hours waiting to be fertilized

The menstrual cycle3. Luteal phase

a. The ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteumb. The corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone that cause the lining of the uterus to continue to thickenc. FSH and LH levels decrease when estrogen

and progesterone levels increase

The menstrual cycle4. Menstruation

a. If the ovum is fertilized, it attaches to the lining of the uterus; the corpus luteum continues to secrete estrogen and progesteroneb. If the ovum is not fertilized, the corpus luteum disintegrates, so less estrogen and progesterone are secretedc. The lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation; this lasts about five days during the beginning of the follicular phased. Menstruation occurs from puberty until a

woman reaches menopause

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sperm-egg.jpg

• http://www.besthealth.com/besthealth/bodyguide/reftext/images/sperm_parts.jpg

• http://www.netterimages.com/images/vpv/000/000/002/2941-0550x0475.jpg

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7rsH2loIY8