1. The Reproductive System

2. Male reproductive system
Release of FSH and LH stimulate cells in testes to release testosterone
FSH and testosterone stimulate production of sperm
Main function of the male reproductive system:
Produce and deliver sperm

3. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.
Male Reproductive System
To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

4. Males
Before birth testes descend into external sac (scrotum) outside the body cavity
Scrotum maintains a temperature 1-3 degrees lower than the rest of the body
Lower temperature is important for normal sperm development
Sperm are produced inside the testes in tubules called seminiferous tubules

5. Sperm development
Sperm produced in seminiferous tubules move to the epididymis for maturity and storage
From epididymis, sperm are moved into the vas deferens, a tube leading from scrotum into abdominal cavity that connects to the urethra (tube that leads to outside the body)

6. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.
Sperm Production
To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

7. Sperm development cont
Glands in the reproductive tract (seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral gland) secrete a nutrient-rich fluid called seminal fluid
Seminal fluid nourishes the sperm and protects them from the acidity of female reproductive tract (seminal fluid + sperm = semen)
Each drop of semen contains about 2.5 million sperm cells

8. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.
Sperm
To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

9. Female reproductive system
Ovaries are located in the abdominal cavity
Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary to release FSH and LH which cause cells in ovaries to produce estrogen
Main function of the female reproductive system is to produce ova and prepare the female body to nourish developing embryo

10. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.
Female Reproductive System
To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

11. Egg development Eggs develop within clusters of cells called follicles
Females born with thousands of immature eggs, only 400 will be released during life cycle
Every 28 days, FSH stimulates follicles to complete meiosis
After meiosis, 1 large haploid egg and 3 polar bodies are produced
Polar bodies disintegrate

12. Egg release Mature egg is released during ovulation
Egg is released from ovary and swept into opening of fallopian tube
With the help of cilia in the tube, the egg travels through the tube toward the uterus (fertilization usually occurs in the tube)
If unfertilized when reaching the uterus, the egg is passed from the body
If fertilized, the egg will implant itself in the lining of the uterus to continue growth and development of the embryo

13. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

14. Menstrual cycle Four phases Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase
menstruation

15. Follicular phase Begins with low level of estrogen in blood
Hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH which cause a follicle to mature
Cells around the egg begin to secrete estrogen which increases the estrogen levels in blood
High estrogen levels cause walls in uterus to thicken

16. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.
Ovary and Oviduct
To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

17. Ovulation Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary to release FSH and LH
These hormones cause follicle to rupture and release an egg into the fallopian tube

18. Luteal phase
Follicle turns yellow and is now known as the corpus luteum which continues to secrete estrogen and begins to release progesterone
Estrogen stimulates cell growth and tissue development in the lining of the uterus
Progesterone stimulates development of the blood supply and surrounding tissue

19. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.

20. Menstruation
Within 2-3 days of ovulation, egg with pass through uterus without implantation
Corpus luteum begins to disintegrate
Less estrogen and progesterone are released
Uterus lining begins to detach, and along with blood and unfertilized egg are discharged through the vagina
A new cycle begins with the first day of menstruation

21. To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.
Menstrual Cycle Diagram
To return to the chapter summary click escape or close this document.