Reproductive System Introduction Primary Reproductive Organs = Ovaries and Testes Functions: Gametogenesis Secretion of sex steroids Accessory

cessory reproductive organs: Duct Systems Glands opening into ducts

Hormonal Control Hypothalamic Releasing Hormones GnRH

Anterior Pituitary Tropic Hormones FSH, LH Gonadal Hormones Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone

Male Reproductive Physiology Testis Seminiferous Tubules Sertoli (Sustentacular) Cells Interstitial (Leydig) cells Duct System: Epididymis Vas Deferens Ejaculatory Duct Urethra Accessory Glands: Seminal Vesicles Prostate Bulbourethral Penis 1

Corpus Spongiosum Corpora Cavernosum

Functions of Accessory Glands Seminal Vesicles Secrete alkaline, viscous fluid Nutrients (fructose) Prostaglandins

Prostate Gland Fluid with enzymes to activate sperm E.g., acid phophatase, fibrinolysin Bulbourethral Gland Secretions neutralize acidic urine

Spermatogenesis occurs in seminiferous tubules In response to LH, the Leydig cells produce steroid hormones, including Testosterone In response to FSH and Testosterone, the Sertoli cells support spermatogenesis

Spermiogenesis: Spermatid Spermatozoa (Fig. 28.14bM)

Sperm Anatomy Head Nuclear material

Acrosome Hydrolytic enzymes Hyaluronidase Midpiece Mitochondria Tail Flagellum

Sertoli (Sustentacular) Cells *Table 17-2V 2

Blood-Testis Barrier Tight junctions between Sertoli cells divide seminiferous tubules into: Basal Compartment Spermatogonia here Adluminal Compartment Meiotically active cells

Transport of Sperm: From Seminiferous Tubule Lumen to Rete Testis Efferent Ductules Epididymis Vas Deferens Ejaculatory Duct Urethra Ejaculation (Sympathetic) L1 L2 spinal reflex

Erection (Parasympathetic) S2 S4 spinal reflex Transmitter NO cGMP mechanism Dilation of arteries to corpora cavernosa; spongiosum Veins compressed

Viagra Phosphodiesterase (PDE) limits action of cGMP Viagra = phosphodiesterase inhibitor

Hormonal Regulation Fig. 29.12 Hypothalamic Releasing Hormone 3

GnRH Anterior Pituitary Tropic Hormones: FSH, LH Gonadal Steroid Testosterone

Effects of Testosterone in the Male: Table 17-3

Mechanism of Action: Testosterone Steroid mechanism Activate genes for specific protein synthesis

Testosterone must convert to DHT for some effects An estrogen to masculinize the fetal brain

Female Reproductive Physiology Anatomy Ovary (gonad)

Anchored by ligaments Ovarian follicles Duct System Uterine (Fallopian) tubes Fimbriae Uterus

Vagina Histology of Ovarian Follicle Primordial Follicle Oocyte + 1 layer follicle cells

Primary Follicle 2 or more layers of granulosa cells surround oocyte; development of thecal

cells

Secondary Follicle Antrum begins to form Graafian (vesicular) Follicle Oocyte on stalk of granulosa cells, ready for ovulation

Histology of Uterine Wall Perimetrium Outermost, serous layer

Myometrium Smooth muscle

Endometrium: Mucosal lining Stratum basalis regenerative layer Not shed with menstrual flow Cells proliferate to restore functional layer of endometrium after menstruation

Stratum functionalis functional layer responds to ovarian hormones This layer is shed with menstrual flow

Vascular Supply Uterine Arteries Radial branches

Straight arteries To Stratum Basalis Spiral Arteries To Stratum Functionalis Degenerate and regenerate each menstrual cycle

Oogenesis Begins in fetal ovaries Born with ~ 400K primary oocytes 5

Meiosis I arrested in prophase After puberty, one (usually) primary oocyte completes Meiosis I each cycle Meiosis II completed only with fertilization

Correlate Meiosis with Follicular Development and Ovulation (Fig. 28.5M) Ovarian Cycle Follicular and Luteal phases (Fig. 17.17V) The ovarian cycle of changes in steroid production drives the rest of the changes that characterize the menstrual cycle of adult females. The follicular phase is marked by increasing levels of estrogens whereas the luteal phase is one of increased progesterone levels; the transition between the two is ovulation. Note: Cycle lengths vary ! E.g., 21 35 days. LUTEAL PHASE is constant (14 days.) Review: Sites of Secretion of Ovarian Hormones Estrogen Granulosa cells (Follicular phase) Requires thecal cells cooperation Corpus luteum (Luteal phase) Progesterone: Corpus luteum (Luteal phase)

Inhibin: Granulosa cells

Ovarian Events and Hormonal Control: Fig. 17.18 17.22V Uterine (Endometrial) Cycle Fig. 17.23V **Note correction to figure 17.23! Summary: Feedback Effects (See Table 17.4 V) Estrogen in low to moderate concentrations: inhibits FSH/LH production. Inhibin acts to inhibit FSH secretion

 Estrogen, when increasing dramatically, has positive feedback effect to increase LH secretion (and, lesser degree, FSH) in response to GnRH High concentrations of Progesterone + Estrogen together feedback inhibition of GnRH and thus FSH/LH Review: Effects of LH Surge (See Table 17.5 V) Meiosis I completed Secondary oocyte Increase in antrum size and blood flow to follicle

Granulosa cells release some progesterone and decrease amount of estrogen release Ovulation

Formation of corpus luteum estrogen + progesterone secretory endometrium. Review: Functions of Granulosa Cells (See Table 17.6 V) Nourish oocyte Secrete chemical messengers that influence oocyte + theca cells Secrete antral fluid Produce Estrogen (in cooperation with thecal cells) Produce Inhibin

Review: Effects of female sex steroids (See also Table 17.8 V)

Estrogen Anabolic steroid Secondary sex characteristics (puberty) Proliferation of endometrium Production of progesterone receptors Hospitable cervical mucus 7

Progesterone Secretory endometrium Quiets myometrium (decreased contractility) Inhospitable cervical mucus

Pregnancy From Ovulation to Fertilization

Ovulated secondary oocyte swept into fimbria of Fallopian tube Slowly (by ciliary action) swept toward uterus. Sperm Capacitation occurs in female tract Change in motility pattern Acquire ability to fuse w/ surface membrane of oocyte

Acrosome Reaction

Release of enzymes from acrosome Granulosa cells and zona pellucida must be digested Many sperm must undergo acrosome reaction

When does fertilization occur?

Fertilization occurs at ovulation

Early Development and Implantation (Fig. 3.5 M)

When does implantation occur? (Fig. 17.25 V; 3.6 M)

Blastocyst ready to implant ~ 6 days after fertilization Uterine endometrium is primed and ready Blastocyst implants Trophoblast proliferates Buries blastocyst in endometrium Secretes hCG

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Fig. 17.29 V)

Secreted by trophoblast cells LH-like effect to maintain corpus luteum CL produces estrogen + progesterone