Human Reproduction

Mind Map

By : Dr. Anand Mani

inCounse
 INTRODUCTION
• Human are sexually reproducing viviparous organisms Primary sex organs-Site for gamete formation
• Reproductive system is composed of
External Genitalia – Involved in Copulation

• Accessory ducts
• Accessory glands Facilitate transport of gametes
THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Location : Pelvic region
Accessory glands
Seminal vesicle (1 pair ) • Seminal plasma from these
contains fructose, calcium, enzymes
Prostate gland (one)
Bulbourethral gland (1 pair) • Its secretions lubricate the penis

Ø Vas deferens receives as duct from seminal vesicle and opens into the urethra as the
Ejaculatory duct.
External genitalia of Male/Penis:

Parts Features
Urethra Originates from the urinary bladder and extends through the penis
Special tissues Help in erection of penis to facilitate insemination
Glans penis Enlarged end of penis covered by loose fold of skin
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

LOCATION: Pelvic region

Oviduct/ Fallopian tube
• 10-12 cm (length)
• Extend from ovary to uterus

Uterus/ Womb
• Inverted pear shaped
• Attached to pelvic wall by ligaments
Parts of Fallopian tube Birth Canal
Isthmus • Last part of Vagina
oviduct
• Narrow Lumen
• Joins the uterus
Ampulla Wider part

Infundibulum Funnel shaped

Fimbriae Finger like projections

that collect ovum after
ovulation
 Uterine wall consists of three layers
Endometrium Lines lumen, glandular and undergoes cyclic
changes during menstruation.

Myometrium Thick layer of smooth muscles that show strong

contractions during delivery

Perimetrium External thin membrane

External Genitalia of Female:

Features
Parts

Mons pubis Cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair.

Labia majora Fleshy folds of tissue that extend down mons pubis and surround the vaginal opening.

Labia minora Paired folds of tissue under the labia majora.

Tiny finger like structure which lies at the upper junction of labia minora above the urethral
Clitoris
opening.

• Membrane that partially covers the opening of vagina

Hymen • Can be torn while-sudden jolt/fall, horse riding, cycling, insertion of vaginal tampon.
• May or may not be torn during the first coitus so its presence or absence not reliable
indicator of virginity or sexual experience.
 PRIMARY SEX ORGENS
Parameters Male Female
Organ Testis Ovary
Number 2 2
Shape Oval Almond
Location Outside abdominal cavity Lower abdomen, one on each side
in a pouch called scrotum
Dimensions Length 4-5 cm, width 2-3 cm Length 2 to 4 cm
Covering Dense connective tissue (outermost) Thin epithelium (outermost)

Functions Sperm formation, synthesise steroidal Ova formation, synthesize steroidal ovarian
testicular hormones like androgens hormones like estrogen and progesterone

Compartments 250 testicular lobules Peripheral cortex and inner medulla zones in ovarian

• 1-3 coiled seminiferous tubules/lobule stroma have follicles in various developing stages

• Cells lining the seminiferous tubules Functions

1. Male germ cells/ spermatogonia Sperm formation
2. Sertoli cells Provide nutrition to the germ cells
• Scrotum helps in maintaining the temperature 2 to 2.5℃ lower than body temperature, necessary for
spermatogenesis.
• Interstitial spaces outside seminiferous tubules contain immunocompetent cells and Leydig cells.
• Ovary is connected to pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments.
 GAMETOGENESIS
o Process of gamete formation
Parameters Male Female
• Term Spermatogenesis Oogenesis
• Process begins At puberty During embryonic development
• Ploidy &
chromosome In Fetus
number per cell (arrested at prophase I)
2n=46
Male germ cell/ Female mother cell/ Characteristics
Follicles
Spermatogonia Mitosis & Oogonia • Single layer of granulosa cell.
Primary
Differentiation
Primary oocytes Secondary • More layers of granulosa cell and a
2n=46 Primary spermatocytes new theca layer.
Periodic Birth Tertiary • Completion of meiosis I (Reduction
Meiosis I Puberty
division)
n=23 Secondary spermatocytes 1st polar body Secondary oocyte

Meiosis II
n=23 Spermatids Graafian/ • Fluid filled cavity antrum and theca
mature layers are organised into external
Spermiogenesis and internal layers.
n=23 Sperms Ovulation •
2st polar body Ovum Secondary oocyte forms acellular
Spermiation zona pellucida around it.

Released from
*2n=diploid seminiferous tubules
*n=haploid
• No more oogonia are formed and added after birth.
• A large number of follicles degenerate from birth to puberty so only 60,0000-80,000 primary follicies
are left in each ovary at puberty.
• Meiosis in oogenesis results in unequal sized cells and the secondary oocyte retains bulk of the
nutrient rich cytoplasm of the primary oocyte.
• Fate of polar body is not certain.
• During the embryonic development, a couple of million gamete mother cells (oogonia) are formed within
each fetal ovary.
 Semen
• Secretions of epididymis and vas deferens are essential for
maturation and motility of sperms.
• Male ejaculates about 200-300 million sperms during coitus.
• For normal fertility:
ü 60% sperms must have normal shape and size.
ü 40% of 60% sperms must show vigorous motility.
 HORMONAL REGULATION IN MALES
Hypothalamus Ø The function of
secretes male sex accessory
GnRH (significant amount) ducts and glands
targets
are maintained by
Anterior pituitary
secretes the testicular
Gonadotropins hormones
(androgens).

Seminiferous
FSH tubules Ou LH
ide tsid
Acts on i ns e

Sertoli Leydig/interstitial
cells cells
Synthesise & release
Some factors
Androgens / Testicular
hormones
Stimulate
Spermiogenesis
Spermatogenesis
STRUCTURE OF GAMETES
 SPERM

Acrosome Cap like structures filled with

enzymes help in fertilization.
Mitochondria Provide energy source for
swimming/ movement of tail.
Tail Facilitate sperm motility
which is essential for
fertilization.
 HORMONAL REGULATION IN FEMALES AND MENSTRUAL CYCLE
• The cycle of events starting from one menstruation till next one is termed menstrual cycle.
Monkeys
• Characteristic of female primates Apes
Humans
• Begins at puberty – menarche
Reproductive phase
• Ceases at 50 years - menopause

• Cycle occurs if ovum remains unfertilized.

• Lack of cycle may be an indication of – pregnancy, stress, poor health etc.
o Average duration in humans = 28/29 days.
Menstrual hygiene
1. Maintenance of hygiene and sanitation during menstruation is very important.
2. Take bath and clean yourself regularly use sanitary napkins/homemade pads.
3. Change sanitary pads after every 4-5 hrs.
4. Dispose of used sanitary napkins properly by wrapping it in used paper.
5. After handling the napkin wash hands with soap.
 Menstrual Cycle
• Changes in the ovary and the uterus are induced by changes in the levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones.
Hormones & their Events in ovary Events in uterus
Phase Duration
effects
Menstrual 3-5 days Drastic decline in Corpus luteum • Breakdown of
progesterone degenerates endometrial lining and
its blood vessels which
forms liquid that comes
out through vagina
constituting menstrual
flow.
Gradual increase
in FSH and LH
Follicular or Variable that stimulate Primary follicle • Endometrium
Reproductive Cycle

proliferative secretion of gradually matures regenerates through

phase estrogen from to Graafian follicle proliferation
follicles

14th day FSH and LH at peak, Rupture of Graafian • Proliferation of

Ovulation (middle of (LH surge) follicle and release of endometrium
cycle) only one ovum/cycle continues

Luteal or Fixed Secretion of Remnants of the • Endometrium is

secretory (14 days) progesterone and Graafian follicle maintained
estrogen transforms into corpus • If ovum remains
luteum unfertilized,
endometrium is
sloughed off, marking a
new cycle
• If ovum gets fertilized, endometrium is maintained by progesterone
necessary for implantation and other events of pregnancy.

• During pregnancy all events of menstrual cycle stop.

Sequence of reproductive events occurring in humans include:

Gametogenesis

Insemination

Fertilization

Implantation

Gestation

Parturition/Birth
PATH FOLLOWED BY GAMETES IN FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
• During coitus, semen is released from male reproductive tract by the penis into
the female reproductive tract i.e., the vagina by process termed Insemination.

Sperms Oocyte
Released in vagina Released in body cavity
Swim
Captured by
through

Cervix Fimbriae
enters
Uterus Infundibulum
Reach
Ampulla (site of fertilisation)

Fusion of gametes/ syngamy / fertilization

(vital event of sexual reproduction)

• Fertilization can only occur if the ovum and sperms are transported simultaneously to the ampullary region. This
is the reason why not all copulations leads to fertilization and pregnancy.
 CHANGES IN GAMETES DURING FERTILIZATION
Secretions of Acrosome parts of sperm
Allow
Entry of sperm into cytoplasm
of oocyte through zona pellucida and plasma membrane

• Changes in zona pellucida prevent entry of additional sperms and

ensures that only one sperm can fertilize an ovum

Inducing completion of Meiosis II of secondary oocyte

• Cytoplasmically unequal 2nd
Form meiotic division

2nd polar body (n) Ovum/ootid (n)

Sperm (n)
Nuclei fuse

Zygote
(2n)
Released in Perivitelline space

§ Characteristics

ü Vital link that ensures continuity of species between

organism of one generation and the next.

ü Sex of a child is decided at this stage.

 SEX OF A BABY IS DETERMINED BY THE FATHER

Parameters Female Male

Chromosome pattern XX XY
Gametes formed X X X Y

Fusion of gametes XX XX XY XY
Female Male

• 50% male gametes carry X chromosome and 50% carry Y chromosome.

• Zygote would carry either XX or XY depending on whether the sperm
carrying X or Y fertilizes the ovum.
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE ZYGOTE
• Every sexually reproducing organism, including human beings begin life as a single
cell i.e., the Zygote.
• The process of development of embryo from zygote is called embryogenesis.
• During embryogenesis, zygote undergo cell divisions and cell differentiation.
• Cleavage starts as zygote moves through isthmus to the uterus.
• Daughters formed after cleavage are called Blastomeres.
 Trophoblast- Outer layer of blastomeres
attaches to endometrium

Inner cell mass- Inner group of cells

attached to blastomeres attached to
trophoblast Differentiates into embryo
with three germ layers

After attachment, uterine cells

divide rapidly and cover the
blastocyst.
Embedding of blastocyst in
endometrium is called
Implantation
The inner cell mass contains
certain cells called stem cells Leads to
which have the potency to give rise
to all tissues and organs. Pregnancy

Ø Germ layers
• Outer-Ectoderm
These together give rise to all tissues/organ in adults.
• Middle- Mesoderm
• Inner-Endoderm
 CHANGES AFTER IMPLANTATION
Mother
Embryo/ Foetus
Uterine tissue
Finger like projections appear
on the trophoblast called chorionic villi

Interdigitate to form (Structural and functional

unit between
embryo/ foetus
q Functions: Placenta And mother

•Supply of O2 and nutrients to the embryo.

•Removal of CO2 and excretory/waste materials produced by the embryo.
q Acts as endocrine tissue:

ü hCG /human chorionic gonadotropin

ü hPL/human placental lactogen
Produced only during pregnancy
ü Relaxin (Also secreted by ovary in later phase of pregnancy)
ü Estrogens
ü Progestogens Increase several folds during
ü Cortisol pregnancy, essential for supporting:
ü Prolactin
ü Thyroxine • Foetal growth
• Metabolic changes in mother
• Maintenance of pregnancy

Placenta is connected to the embryo through an umbilical cord which helps in the
transport of substances to and from the embryo.
 GESTATION PERIOD
Average duration of pregnancy in :
•Dog – 63 days
•Cat – 63 days
•Elephant – 18-22 months
•Human – 9 months

Major events during gestation period in humans:

Trimester Month Week Event

I 4 Heart is formed, sign of growing foetus noticed by listening to
heart sounds through Stethoscope.

1st II 8 Foetus develops limits and digits.

III (end) 12 Most of major organ systems are formed including external
genital organs.
V 20 First movement of foetus, Appearance of hair on head.
2nd
VI (end) 24 Body is covered with fine hair, eyelids separate, Eyelashes
are formed.
3rd
IX (end) 36 Foetus is fully developed and ready for delivery.
 PARTURITION

• Defined as delivery of the foetus a (childbirth)

• Signals for parturition originate from
Fully developed foetus
Lead to
Mild uterine contractions called
This is positive feedback loop
Placenta
Called

Foetal ejection reflex

triggers release of
Oxytocin from posterior pituitary of mother
Causes

Strong uterine contractions leading to

Leading to
Expulsion of baby through birth canal
(Parturition)

Followed by

Expulsion of placenta

Oxytocin is synthesized
by its source gland • Child birth is induced by a complex neuroendocrine mechanism involving cortisol,
hypothalamus but estrogens and oxytocin.
released from posterior • Doctors inject oxytocin to induce delivery.
Pitutary.
 MAMMARY GLANDS AND LACTATION
• Functional mammary gland is characteristic of all female mammals.
• Paired structure (Breasts) that contain variable amount of fat and:
Glandular tissue
Divided into

Mammary lobes
contain
Mammary alveolus
Cluster of cells (secrete and store milk) in their lumen

opens into

Mammary tubules
Join to form

Mammary duct
Many Join to form Fig.: Sectional view of
Mammary Gland
Mammary ampulla
Connected to

Lactiferous Duct
(Through which milk is sucked out)
• Mammary glands Undergo differentiation during pregnancy

Secrete milk after child birth that helps mother in feeding new
born by process called lactation.

• Milk produced during initial few days of lactation is called colostrum which contains several
antibodies, absolutely essential to develop resistance for the new born babies.

• Breast feeding during the initial period of infant growth is recommended by doctors for bringing
up a healthy baby.
 The Male Reproductive
1 System
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2 The Female Reproductive
System
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3 Gametogenesis
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4 Menstrual Cycle
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 Fertilisation and
5 Implantation
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 Pregnancy and
6 Embryonic Development
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7 Parturition and Lactation
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THANK YOU

inCounse