1. Female Reproductive System
Ovaries (__________)
Duct System
Oviducts(fallopian tubes)
Uterus
Vagina
___________ is NOT part of reproductive system in females
External genitalia

2. Female Reproductive Organs

3. Female Reproductive Organs
Figure 39.16, pg 664

4. Ovaries Produces _______ Secrete ____________________
Composed of ovarian follicles (sac-like structures)
Follicle Structure
Oocyte
Follicular cells
Figure 16.7

5. Ovarian Follicle Stages
Primary follicle – contains immature oocyte
Follicle grows with a maturing oocyte
Ovulation – egg is mature and the follicle ruptures
Occurs about every ____________
Ruptured follicle is transformed into a ___________ ____________

6. Fallopian Tubes (Oviducts)
Receive the ovulated oocyte
Cilia move the oocyte towards the uterus (takes 3–4 days)
Provide a site for ______________
Attaches to the uterus
Does not physically attach to the ovary

7. Uterus Hollow organ Functions of the uterus Receives a fertilized egg
Retains the fertilized egg
Nourishes the fertilized egg
__________________
Inner layer
Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg
Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses)

8. Regions of the Uterus Myometrium – thick muscle layers of the uterus
___________________________________
Cervix – narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina
Secretes mucus to help sperm enter uterus
Defends embryo against ________

9. Vagina Extends from cervix to exterior of body
Serves as the birth canal
Receives sperm during sexual intercourse

10. Oogenesis Making eggs Total supply of eggs are present at birth
About ___________ immature eggs
Ovulation begins at puberty
Many eggs “die off” in earlier stages of development, before ovulation occurs
Reproductive ability ends at menopause
Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian follicles

11. Oogenesis Girl is born with primary oocytes already in ovaries
Each oocyte has entered meiosis I and stopped
Meiosis resumes, with the first menstrual cycle
Meiosis completed only after fertilization
Unfertilized egg: ______________________

12. Ovarian Cycle
Figure 39.17

13. Menstrual Cycle
Function: produce an environment that is hospitable to the growing embryo
Lining of uterus builds up cyclically
Bleeding is a by-product resulting from no pregnancy
The fertile period for a human female occurs on a cyclic basis

14. Menstrual Cycle Cyclic changes of the endometrium
Regulated by cyclic production of estrogens and progesterone
Menstrual cycle lasts about ___________
Day 1: first day of bleeding
Ovulation around day 14
Stages of the menstrual cycle
Menses: endometrium is sloughed
Follicular phase: ________ to ovulation
Luteal phase: _________ ovulation

15. Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles
hypothalamus
GnRH
anterior pituitary
blood levels of FSH
( purple) and LH ( lavender)
midcycle peak of LH
(triggers ovulation)
FSH LH LH
Fig a, p.667

16. Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles
Fig b-c, p.667
growth of follicle
ovulation
corpus luteum
blood levels of estrogens
(light blue), progesterone
(dark blue)
estrogens
progesterone, estrogen

17. Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles5 14 28
FOLLICULAR PHASE OF
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
LUTEAL PHASE OF
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Fig d-e, p.667

18. Hormone Production by the Ovaries
Estrogens
Produced by follicle cells
Cause secondary sex characteristics
Enlargement of accessory organs
Development of breasts
Appearance of pubic hair
Increase in fat beneath the skin
Widening and lightening of the pelvis
Onset of menses

19. Hormone Production by the Ovaries
Progesterone
Produced by the corpus luteum
Production continues until LH diminishes in the blood
Helps maintain pregnancy

20. Female Hormonal Control

21. Cycle Overview
GnRH secretion affects LH and FSH secretion by pituitary
LH and FSH affect follicle maturation
Estrogen and progesterone from ovary affect uterus

22. Probability of Pregnancy
Wilcox, A. J et al. BMJ 2000;321:
Copyright ©2000 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

23. “Female Troubles”
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): related to discomfort a week or two before menstruation
Cycle induced changes cause depression, irritability, anxiety, headaches, sleeping disorders, and breast tenderness
Menstrual pain:
Prostagladins secreted stimulate contractions of smooth muscle in the uterine wall

24. Fertilization
Ejaculation in the male and similar smooth muscle contractions in the female are called orgasm
____________________________ sperm are deposited in the vagina after intercourse
Only a few hundred will reach the upper region of the oviduct where fertilization occurs
Sperm may live for about ___________ following ejaculation

25. Fertilization Sperm penetrates to egg cytoplasm
Only one sperm will enter after digesting its way through the ____________________
Secondary oocyte undergoes meiosis II; forms mature egg
Egg nucleus and sperm nucleus fuse to form diploid zygote

26. A Look at Fertilization

27. FSH and twins
High levels of FSH can cause two eggs to mature, possibly leading to fraternal twins
Fraternal twins: two genetically unique zygotes formed when two oocytes are released in one menstrual cycle
Identical twins: one zygote or early embryo splits
________________________
Fraternal twins run in families

28. Pregnancy Humans prevent pregnancy by:
Abstinence
Surgery (vasectomy or tubal ligation)
Physical or chemical barriers
Affecting female sex hormones
Total abstinence is the _______ form of birth control that is 100% effective

29. Fertility Control Options
Rhythm method: tracking cycle to know when egg can be fertilized (74% effective)
Withdrawal before ejaculation (74% effective)
Pre-ejaculation fluids can hold some sperm
Douching: chemically rinsing vagina after sex
Sperm travel out of reach of douching fluids in _____
Spermicidal foam and jelly: toxic to sperm
Only effective when used with a ________________
Diaphragm and cervical cap: fits over cervix and prevents entry of sperm

30. Fertility Control Options
Condoms: prevent sperm deposition in vagina
ONLY latex condoms protect against STDs
Even the best brands can tear or leak
Birth control pill (and patch): contains synthetic female hormones and prevents ovulation
MUST be taken faithfully according to directions
Raises risk of breast, cervical, and liver cancer
Reduces menstrual cramps
Can interact with antibiotics and be made less effective

31. Fertility Control Options
Progestin injections (Depo-Provera) or implants (Norplant) inhibit ovulation over several months
“Morning-after pills” (emergency contraception): intercept pregnancy by blocking fertilization or preventing implantation

32. Birth Control Options

33. Regarding Abortion
10% of women who become pregnant lose the embryo or fetus in a spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage
Some estimate that 50% of all fertilized eggs are lost, most due to genetic problems
About half of all unplanned pregnancies end in an induced abortion
The deliberate dislodging and removal of an embryo or fetus from the uterus
Generally a low risk procedure during the first three months of pregnancy

34. Assisted Reproductive Technology
In vitro fertilization is conception outside the body
Hormone injections prepare ovaries for ovulation
Oocyte is withdrawn and sperm is injected into it
A few days later, ball of cells is transferred to woman’s uterus or oviduct
Procedures are costly and have low success rates