REPRODUCTION

Male Reproductive Organs

Testosterone: the male reproductive hormone made by the testicles which causes the changes of puberty. Penis: the organ of transfer- sperm to female. Scrotum: pouch-like sac holding both testicles in a separate compartment that hang underneath the penis. Testicles – Testes Gland: two glands in the male, located in the scrotum, which produce male hormones (testosterone).

Urethra: a tube that connects with the vas deferentia to carry sperm cells out of the body. Epididymis: the structure that forms a mass over the back and upper part of each testes. Vas Deferens (singular): two tubes leading from the epididymis to the seminal vesicles. Seminal Vesicles: two pouch- like structures which serve to store mature sperm until ejaculated.

Sperm: the microscopic cells produced by the male’s testicles which can fertilize the female’s ovum. Prostate Gland: a man’s gland that helps make semen. Cowper’s Glands: behind the base of the penis which secretes fluid to make semen and neutralize acid during sexual excitement. Ejaculatory duct: a short straight tube that passes into the prostate gland and opens into the urethra.

SWIMMING FOR YOUR LIFE A sperm is a tiny package with a big responsibility – to fertilize the egg and create a human life. So that tiny package is loaded with “gear” for its important journey. A few facts: Daily sperm production by a healthy man: 10 million to 50 million Contents of average ejaculation: 50 million sperm; 25 million moving; 20 million deformed Maturation: 72 days Average swimming speed of a sperm: 8 inches per hour Survival time in a woman: 2 to 7 days

Female Reproduction Hymen: a narrow fold of tissue encircling the entrance to the vagina. Vagina: passageway between the uterus and the outside of a woman’s body. Cervix: Opening from the uterus to the vagina. Uterus: place where the baby grows in a woman’s abdomen. Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes): two tubular structures leading from the ovaries to the uterus Ovaries: organs holding a woman’s eggs.

Female Cycles *Interesting fact – humans are one of the few animals that do not have some kind of visible obvious display of fertility. Evolutionary biologists suggest this trait evolved as a way to keep males interested for more than just the fertile period, increasing the likelihood of male parental care of offspring.

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FERTILIZATION & PREGNANCY Sperm must travel to the egg and penetrate to combine the DNA from both parents -- this creates the first cell after fertilization: the ZYGOTE 23 chromosomes from each parent; zygote has a total of 46 chromosomes

Zygote divides - blastocyst 6th day blastocyst attaches to uterine wall= implantation Placenta- attaches blastocyst to uterine wall- exchanges nutrients/gases/wastes Embryonic stage – 2nd - 8th week

How does a woman know she is pregnant? Missed period Changes in body, tenderness in breasts, nausea…etc Pregnancy test – tests urine for hormone levels

At the end of the 8th week after fertilization (10 weeks of pregnancy), the embryo is considered a fetus. During this stage, the structures that have already formed grow and develop. The following are markers during pregnancy: By 12 weeks of pregnancy: The fetus fills the entire uterus. By about 14 weeks: The sex can be identified. By about 16 to 20 weeks: Typically, the pregnant woman can feel the fetus moving. Women who have been pregnant before typically feel movements about 2 weeks earlier than women who are pregnant for the first time. By about 24 weeks: The fetus has a chance of survival outside the uterus.

3 weeks: embryo -1/12" long resembles a worm - long and thin and with a segmented end. heart beats about 18 to 21 days after conception. woman might have noticed that her menstrual period is late; she might suspect that she is pregnant and conduct a pregnancy test.

4 weeks: embryo -1/5" long. looks something like a tadpole. The structure that will develop into a head is visible, as is a noticeable tail. structures like the gills of a fish in the area that will later develop into a throat.

5 weeks: Tiny arm and leg buds have formed. Hands with webs between the fingers have formed at the end of the arm buds. Fingerprints are detectable.

6 weeks: embryo -1/2" long. face has two eyes on each side of its head

7 weeks: The embryo has almost lost its tail. Pain sensors appear.

2 months Some of the brain begins to form embryo will respond to prodding, although it has no consciousness at this stage of development.

10 weeks: Sonogram The embryo is now called a fetus. Its face looks human its gender may be detectable via ultrasound. Sonogram

13 weeks or 3 months: End of 1st trimester fetus is about 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce. Fingernails and bones can be seen. Over 90% of all abortions are performed before this stage

17 weeks 4 months 8" long and weighs about a half pound. Movements felt Detect heart beat

22 weeks or 5 months: 12" long and weighing about a pound, fetus has hair Its movements can be felt. An elective abortion is usually unavailable at this gestational age because of state medical society regulations, except under very unusual circumstances. Half-way through the 22nd week, the fetus' lungs may be developed to the point where it would have a miniscule chance to live on its own. State laws and medical association regulations generally outlaw almost all abortions beyond 20 or 21 weeks gestation. "A baby born during the 22nd week has a 14.8 percent chance of survival. And about half of these survivors are brain-damaged, either by lack of oxygen (from poor initial respiration) or too much oxygen (from the ventilator).

26 weeks or 6 months: end of 2nd trimester fetus 14" long and almost two pounds. The lungs' bronchioles develop. Interlinking of the brain's neurons begins. The higher functions of the fetal brain turn on for the first time. Some rudimentary brain waves indicating consciousness can be detected. fetus will probably be able to feel pain for the first time. It has become conscious of its surroundings.

7 months: 7 months: 16" long and weighing about three pounds. Regular brain waves are detectable which are similar to those in adults. 8 months: 18" long and weighing about 5 pounds. 9 months: 20" long and with an average weight of 7 pounds, a full-term fetus' is typically born about this time.

Cesarean section

What if you don’t want to have a baby? There are lots of options…… Temporary methods of birth control Condom Birth control pills Nuva-ring Depo-Provera (shot) IUD (semi-permanent) Diaphragm

Diaphragm

IUD

Nuva Ring

More Permanent Options… Vasectomy Tubal Ligation

PLAN B What about the morning after pill - also known as Plan B? Plan B must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it prevents the egg from releasing or the sperm from fertilizing the egg. It may also prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. Plan B does NOT work on women who are already pregnant. It can be bought from pharmacies, though some states have age restrictions.

Ideal Success Rates of Various Forms of Birth Control Perfect Use Failure Rate/Typical Use* General Methods . Abstinence ** 100% 60-88% No Protection 10-20 80-90 Withdrawal 96 25 Rhythm Method 90 15-25 Medical Methods The Pill (female) **** 99.5-99.9 7.5 Emergency Contraception (female) 99 3-5 Gels and Foams 95 15 Genital Devices Male Condom 98 14 Female Condom 97 10-15 Cervical Caps and Diaphragms (female) IUD - Mirena 99+ 4 IUD - Paragard Shot - Depo Provera NA Patch - Ortho Evra Ring The Sponge (female) 15-20 Surgeries Vasectomy (male) *** 0.15 Tubal Litigation (female) 99.5 0.05 Ideal Success Rates of Various Forms of Birth Control

Effectiveness of Contraceptives

What about abortion? Regardless of your political views on the subject, abortion is legal in the U.S. Most procedures must be done early and involve removing the fetus from the uterus.

With all these options, there is no reason why unplanned pregnancies should happen at all… So why do they?