Male Reproductive System

• The reproductive system facilitates sexual reproduction

Male Reproductive System

• Testes produce Testosterone
• Sperm are produced in the Sperm factory that is responsible for Spermatogenesis

Sertoli Cells

• Form blood-testis barrier
• Support developing sperm and produce fluid
• Control the release of sperm into the lumen
• Secrete inhibin to slow sperm production

Seminiferous Tubules

• Contain sperm forming cells and Sertoli Cells
• Leydig/interstitial cells between the tubules secrete testosterone
• Sperm Morphology consists of a head, acrosome, midpiece, and tail
• The head contains DNA
• The acrosome contains enzymes to penetrate the egg
• The midpiece possesses mitochondria to produce ATP
• The tail facilitates movement
• Semen refers to the sperm and seminal fluid mixture
• An ejaculate is 2.5 to 5 ml in volume
• Sperm counts are 50 to 150 million/ml
• Less than 20 ml is considered sterile
• The scrotum protects the testes and aids sperm development
• Changing size in response to temperature the scrotum regulates internal temperature for sperm
• Scrotum temperature is slightly lower than the normal body
• Sperm thrive in cooler conditions

Ducts

• Epididymis stores sperm temporarily
• Vas-Deferens transports sperm cells in preparation for ejaculation
• Penis encloses the urethra and is used in sexual inter course

Penis

• The penis contains spongy tissue with spaces for blood
• Erection is when blood enters the spongy blood vessels and compresses and traps blood
• Emission is when muscles contract close to the sphincter at the base of the bladder
• Fluids go from the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts into the bulb of the penis
• Prostate secretes into the urethra during emission
• Ejaculation is when skeletal muscles squeeze the semen out

Seminal Vesicles (Gland 1)

• Produce alkaline secretion rich in sugar for sperm
• Secretes 60% of clean/alkaline seminal fluid with fructose, ATP, and prostaglandins for sperm function, nutrition, and coagulation

Prostate Gland (Gland 2)

• They produce fluids that nourish the sperm cells
• This gland Secretes 30% of milky, slightly acidic seminal fluids with antibiotics

Bulbourethral Gland/Cowper's Gland (Gland 3)

• Produces a liquid that neutralizes the acidity of the urethra which protects the sperm
• Secretes clear, alkaline mucus to lubricate the urethra

Hormonal Control of Male Physiology

• Hypothalamus releases GnRh which tells the Anterior Pituitary to release FSH which tells Sertoli Cells to produce Androgen Binding Protein
• Hypothalamus releases GnRh which tells the Anterior Pituitary to release LH which tells Interstitial Cells to produce Testosterone
• Androgen Binding Protein + Testosterone = Spermatogenesis

Female Reproductive System

• Controlled by hormonal cycles, the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and ovary
• There are monthly cycles of change in the ovary and uterus

Ovaries

• They contain capsules of dense CT
• The cortex contains follicles with oocytes (egg cells)
• The medulla, the middle region, has connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphatic nodes
• Germinal and Peritoneal Membrane covering ovaries

Ovarian Follicles

• Contain oocytes in various stages of development and secrete Estrogen which has multiple effects
• Growth and repair of uterine lining, regulation of menstrual cycle, and is responsible for female sexual characteristics
• Estrogen maintains bone and muscles
• Graafian (Mature Follicles) release oocytes monthly and exist in stages of Follicular Development
• Primordial Follicles consist of a single layer of squamous cells around an oocyte
• Primary Follicles consist of a layer of cuboidal granulosa cells around an oocyte
• Graafian Follicles are mature and ready to ovulate
• Ovulation is when the follicle ruptures, releasing an egg ready to be fertilized
• Corpus Luteum are post-rupture follicles that secrete hormones
• Progesterone completes preparation of the uterine lining
• Estrogen works with progesterone to prepare the uterine lining
• Relaxin relaxes uterine muscles and pubic symphysis
• Inhibin decreases FSH and LH
• Produces estrogen and progesterone

Oviduct

• Aka Fallopian Tube that transports the egg to the uterus
• A narrow 4-inch tube that connect the ovaries to the uterus
• Infundibulum: a funnel-shaped area near the ovary with Fimbriae: moving, finger-like projections
• Ampulla is the central region and the Isthmus is the narrowest point of the Fallopian Tube
• During the Fallopian Tube events, the fimbriae sweep the oocyte into the tube, then cilia and peristalsis move the oocyte
• Sperm reaches the oocyte in the ampulla
• Fertilization occurs within 24 hours after ovulation
• A zygote reaches the uterus after 7 days

Uterus

• The corpus is the wide upper area
• The cervix is the narrow lower area
• Histology, the endometrium lines the uterus and is involved in menstruation
• Simple columnar epithelium that is made up of stroma of connective tissue and endometrial glands
• The functional layer sheds during menstruation
• The basal layer replaces the functional layer
• The myometrium has 3 layers of smooth muscle
• The Perimetrium is Visceral Peritoneum

Cervix

• Cervix opening is where sperm must pass through to fertilize the egg

Vagina

• Connects the internal reproductive system to the external genitalia and acts as the entry for the penis

Mammary Glands

• Modified sweat glands that make milk
• Milk-secreting glands open alveoli by lactiferous ducts at nipples
• Estrogen develops duct systems
• Progesterone develops milk-secreting glands
• Prolactin stimulates milk synthesis while oxytocin stimulates milk ejection

Hormonal Regulation of Reproductive Cycle

• The hypothalamus produces Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRh) which signals the anterior pituitary
• The anterior pituitary then produces FSH and LH that signal the ovaries which produce estrogen and progesterone
• Phases of Ovarian Cycle

Ovulation

• LH stimulates the rupture of Graafian and release of the oocyte into the pelvic cavity
• Fimbriae picks up the oocyte

Luteal Phase

• LH develops the Corpus Luteum from the ruptured follicle
• Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen, which prepares the endometrium for pregnancy phases of the Uterine Cycle
• Proliferative Phase has rising estrogen levels from the follicle which stimulates the growth of endometrium (functional layer) by 4-10mm
• Secretory Phase occurs during the Luteal Phase where the Corpus Luteum secretes progesterone
• Progesterone thickens the endometrium to 12-18mm
• Increased blood supply into the endometrium, growth of endometrial glands, and secretion of uterine milk

Pregnancy

• The embryo implants in the endometrium and maintains progesterone levels to maintain the endometrium and pregnancy
• Corpus luteum must be maintained to secrete progesterone and normally LH normally maintains CL (Corpus Luteum), inhibited by inhibin
• The outer part of the Blastocyst (The rapidly dividing fertilized egg)secretes the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
• HCG replaces LH and maintains CL, the corpus luteum degenerates after 3-4 months
• The placenta is responsible for the production of both estrogen and progesterone and the maintenance of the endometrium
• The increase of progesterone causes negative feedback, stopping the hypothalamus from releasing LH

No Pregnancy

• After 2 weeks, the corpus luteum atrophies into the corpus albicans
• Progesterone and Estrogen levels drop
• Functional layers of the endometrium are discharged during the first 5 days
• Decline in progesterone levels causes shedding of functional layers of Endometrium resulting in vaginal bleeding called menstruation
• Marks the start of a new cycle

Menstrual Abnormalities

• Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation which is caused by hormonal imbalance, weight loss, low body fat, rigorous training
• Dysmenorrhea is severe pain that prevents normal functioning and is caused by, uterine tumors, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, intrauterine devices
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is an excessive amount or duration of menstrual bleeding
• It is caused by fibroid tumors or hormonal imbalance
• The next cycle has a decline in Progesterone, Estrogen, and Inhibin when GnRh, FSH, and LH increase

Restarting a Cycle

• Restarting happens after no pregnancy
• Renewed secretion of these hormones starts a new cycle of growth and prearation

Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART)

• An in vitro fertilization, the fertilized egg is placed in the uterus
• An intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection happens by manually injecting sperm into the egg cell is performed
• Gamete Intrafallopian Procedure requires Sperm Cell and Egg Cell be injected into the Fallopian Tube
• In a Zygote Intrafallopian Procedure a Fertilized egg is injected into the Fallopian Tube

Anti-Birth Procedures

Contraceptives

• Intrauterine Device is 21% likely to fail
• Male & Female Condoms are 13% (male) and 21% (female) likely to fail
• Cervical Cap has a 17% failure rate
• Combined Oral Contraceptives have a failure rate of 4%
• Spermicides have a 21% failure rate

Surgical Sterilization

• Vasectomy has a failure rate of 21%
• A Vasectomy involves cutting the vas deferens to prevent a man's sperm from entering the penis, in which the ejaculate will not contain sperm cells
• Tubal Ligation has a failure rate of 0.5% where the fallopian tubes are tied, preventing a sperm and egg cell from meeting
• Hysterectomy has a failure rate of 0%
• Involves the removal of the uterus (uterus, cervix, ovaries)

When do you get a Hysterectomy

• Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, excessive bleeding, and/or cancer of cervix, uterus, or ovaries
• A Complete Hysterectomy has a failure rate of 0% and involves the removal of the uterus and cervix
• A Radical Hysterectomy has a failure rate of 0% and involves the complete removal of the entire female reproductive system

Reproductive System Illnesses/Disorders/Diseases

Cancers

• Breast Cancer can be detected through self-examination or mammography where ultrasounds determine if a lump is benign, malignant or fluid-filled
• Treatment entails lumpectomy, radical mastectomy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy
• Risk factors include family history, no kids, radiation, alcohol, or smoking
• Ovarian Cancer is the most common gynecological death
• Early symptoms are heartburn, nausea, bloating, and loss of appetite
• Risk Factors include being over 50, white, family history, nulliparity, first pregnancy after 30, and diet (high fat, low fiber, lack of A vitamins), asbestos, or talcum powder
• Cervical Cancer starts as Cervical Dysplasia (a change in shape, growth, and number of cells in the Cervix)
• Cervical Dysplasia may escalate into Cervical Cancer
• Linked to genital warts and a large number of sexual partners when at an early age and can be detected by a Pap Smear test
• Prostate Cancer is the leading cause of male cancer deaths
• One undergoes blood tests for prostate-specific antigen (the number will increase with prostate enlargement or infection)
• Prostate test is recommended after turning 40 years old
• Treatment involved surgery, radiation hormone treatment or chemotherapy
• Testicular Cancer is the most curable cancer and common in age groups 20-35
• Begins as problems with Spermatogenic cells within seminiferous tubules and a mass is found within the testes

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

• Chlamydia is a bacteria that is asymptomatic, and can lead to sterility due to scar tissue
• Gonorrhea is a bacteria, and can cause issues with discharge and blindness in infants
• Syphilis is a bacterium where 1st stage is painless sores, the 2nd stage attacks all organs, and the 3rd stage ends with organ degeneration (Neurosyphilis)
• Genital Herpes is an incurable virus that leads to painful blisters
• Yeast Infection comes from the fungus "Candida Albicans" and causes Vulvovaginal candidiasis or “Vaginitis" where one experiences inflammatory, severe itching symptoms
• Inflammation, severe itching and pain, yellow discharge and can be cured with antibiotic therapy

AIDS and Hep B

• Caused by viruses

Disorders

Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)

• Consistent inability of adult male to stay hard during sex
• Psychological, emotional, or physical factors (diabetes mellitus, vascular disturbances, neurological disturbances, testosterone deficiency, drugs) cause it
• Viagra causes vasodilation to make erections easier