Reproduction in Man

Sexual reproduction in man involves the fusion of male and female games. The formation
of gametes is called gametogenesis. The formation of the female gamete is call oogenesis
to result in formation of eggs (ova) while spermatogenesis describes the formation of
male gametes-sperms.

Spermatogenesis
This happens in the testes starting at puberty and continues throughout life. There are
structures in the testes called seminiferous tubules which make sperms. Surrounding the
seminiferous tubules is a layer of epithelial cells on which there are diploid cells called
SPERMATOGONIA. These will undergo six mitotic division to produces more diploid
cells. Some will migrate inwards and grow larger forming PRIMARY SPERMATOCYTES.
Others will remain near the epithelium to form more spermatogonia.
Primary Spermatocytes will then undergo meiosis I to give two (2) SECONDARY
SPERMATOCYTES (haploid cells). These will after about two (2) days, undergo meiosis
II to give haploid SPERMATIDS These will then grow and develop into
SPERMATOZOAN.
The spermatozoa will move closer to the lumen of tubule where they will be
nourished by large non-dividing cells called SERTOLI CELLS. These very large cells,
extend from the epithelium to the lumen and surrounds the developing sperm cells.
Once the sperm matures, it will contain a head with a thin layer of cytoplasm between the
nucleus and membrane. It also contains a membrane bound acrosome formed from the
Golgi apparatus it contains enzymes which will digest the egg walls. The sperm also has
a middle piece filled with mitochondria to provide the energy it will need to swim to the
egg. The tail contains microtubules that are responsible for the swimming movement of
the sperm
Once fully formed, the sperm moves into the epididymis. They are still unable to swim
and so are carried there by the fluid secreted by the sertoli cells. The sperms only learn to
swim after ejaculation at about 4mm per minute.

OOGENESIS
Unlike spermatogenesis, oogenesis begins during foetal development from about 6 weeks
old. Some cells in the embryos ovary will divide by mitosis to give diploid OOGONIA.
This continues until the baby is about 6 months old. During this time, the oogonia begins
meiosis I to form primary oocytes. These will then get a layer of cells formed around
them from the ovary wall to become a PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE. While still in
prophase 1, some of these follicles will produce a short set of layers of cells called
GRANULOSA CELLS. The ovary will produce another layer of cells outside these cells
call THECA. The granulosa cell wall then secretes a layer of glycoproteins called ZONA
PELLUCIDA around the oocyte.
The primary follicle will remain as is until the girl reaches puberty. At puberty,
hormones are produced which stimulates the development of these follicles into
secondary follicles. These will develop a fluid filled cavity between the granulosa cells
and the theca resulting in the follicle getting larger. One of these will mature more than
the others to form a Graafian Follicle. While this is happening the primary oocyte
completes meiosis I to give two (2) haploid cells. The cytoplasm is unequally divided to
give a large secondary oocyte and a very small polar body. The secondary oocyte
continues into the second division, stopping in metaphase II
By the time the oocyte(in follicle matures it is released in ovulation (with the
granulosa cells attached). Cilia in OVIDUCT creates movements of fluid which pulls the
oocyte into the oviduct towards the uterus. if it is fertilized it completes meiosis II to give
a large cell containing both male and female nucleus as well as a second POLAR BODY.
if not fetilised, the oocyte dies.

Fertilisation
In humans, Fertilisation occurs internally. The large egg remains immotile while the
sperm swims to it.
stimulation of various parts of the males body or thinking about sexual thoughts
causes impulses to be sent along parasympathetic nerves from the brain to arteries
causing them to dilate filling spaces under the erectile tissues with blood. This cause the
penis to become hard and erect. With sexual stimuli, from copulation the sperms are
ejaculated into the vagina in a mixture of alkaline fluid from the prostate gland as well as
fructose from the seminal vesicles-a mixture called semen.

The sperms will learn to swim after ejaculation and the membrane around the head
also changes so that acrosome will be able to release its acrosome. The alkaline semen
neutralize the slightly acidic vaginal mucus. Once it finds the egg the sperms acrosome
releases its enzyme which will digest the granulosa cell around the egg .The sperm head
will bind to receptors in the zone pellucida and this stimulates the acrosome to release all
its enzymes, digesting the zona pellucida so the sperm can pass through to fuse with the
egg membrane. Once this happens the egg releases granules into the zona pellucida
changing the receptors in it so that no more sperm can enter. The fertilised egg cell then
completes meiosis II.