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• Gonads are the primary reproductive organs, including the testes and ovaries.
• Gametogenesis is the formation of sex cells.

Gametogenesis

• In females, it starts during embryonic development.
• In males, it starts after puberty and continues throughout life.
• Gametes are sex cells produced by gonads, such as sperm and oocytes.
• Puberty starts when gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released from the hypothalamus.

Male Puberty

• Involves GnRH release.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are released from the anterior pituitary.
• Testosterone initiates spermatogenesis.
• Libido increases.
• Secondary sexual characteristics develop.

Female Puberty

• GnRH is released.
• FSH and LH are released from the anterior pituitary.
• Ovarian follicles mature, leading to estrogen production.
• Fertility is established.
• Secondary sexual characteristics develop.

Ovarian Follicle Development Stages

• Primordial follicle: A primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicular cells, present during the fetal period.
• Primary follicle: A primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells, present during puberty.
• Secondary follicle: A primary oocyte surrounded by multiple layers of granulosa cells, present during puberty.
• Antral follicle: A primary oocyte surrounded by many layers of granulosa cells, with a small antrum developing within the layers, present during puberty.
• Mature follicle: A secondary oocyte surrounded by many layers of granulosa cells and a very large antrum, present during puberty.
• Corpus luteum: Contains no oocyte and consists of yellowish, collapsed folds of granulosa cells, present during puberty.
• Corpus albicans: Contains no oocyte and is a whitish connective tissue scar, the remnant of a degenerated corpus luteum, present during puberty.

Ovarian Cycle Phases

• Follicular phase (days 1-13): Primary follicles are stimulated to release inhibin, preventing excessive oocyte development, and a few stimulated primary follicles mature into secondary follicles, with one secondary follicle becoming an antral follicle.
• Ovulation (day 14): A secondary oocyte is released from the vesicular follicle, triggered by a peak in LH, making the woman fertile, and the released ovum has a lifespan of 1 day.
• Luteal phase (days 15-28): Follicular cells left in the vesicular follicle become the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone and estrogen to build up the endometrium in preparation for implantation.

Uterine Cycle Phases

• Menstrual phase (days 1-6): Progesterone decreases, and the endometrium sloughs off.
• Proliferative phase (days 6-13): Estrogen increases, and the endometrium thickens.
• Ovulation (day 14).
• Secretory phase (days 15-28): Progesterone increases, and the endometrium grows.
• Menarche is the onset of menses (menstrual cycle).
• Typically occurs around age 11 or 12.
• Continues until menopause.

Spermatogenesis

• Spermatogonium: A primary germ cell that is diploid (46 chromosomes) and divides by mitosis into another spermatogonium and a primary spermatocyte.
• Primary Spermatocyte: Undergoes meiosis I to become two secondary spermatocytes, each containing two sister copies.
• Secondary Spermatocytes: Undergo meiosis II to produce two spermatids each.
• Spermatids: Undergo spermiogenesis to become more mature sperm, also known as spermatozoa, with each containing 23 chromosomes, and fully mature in the epididymis.

Uterus

• Pear-shaped organ that supports a growing embryo/fetus.
• The fundus is the superior region.
• Fundus measurement is an indicator of pregnancy progression.
• The body is the middle, muscular region.

Cervix

• Lower portion that projects into the vagina.
• The region tested during a Pap test.

Uterine Wall Layers

• Myometrium: Thick muscular layer.
• Endometrium: Basal layer (permanent layer attached to the myometrium) and functional layer (reactive to estrogen and progesterone, eliminated as menses if no fertilization occurs).
• Perimetrium: Serosal layer that continues with the broad ligament.

Ovary

• Paired almond-sized organ anchored by the peritoneum.
• Suspensory ligaments contain vessels to the ovaries.
• Function: Produces ova and female sex hormones.
• Contains ovarian follicles.
• An oocyte surrounded by follicular cells is an ovarian follicle.
• Each follicle has the potential to go through 7 stages of development.

Vagina

• Mixed type: Epithelium, smooth muscle.
• Approximately 10 cm long.
• Mucosal folds at the distal end form the hymen.
• Functions in sexual intercourse, passage of menses, and passage of a newborn.

Perineum

• Diamond-shaped area between the thighs.

Female External Genitalia

• Labia majora and minora
• Mons pubis
• Clitoris: Erectile tissue, homologous to the penis in males.
• Prepuce: Anterior continuation of labia minora, homologous to the foreskin of males.

Breast

• Exocrine gland located on the anterior chest of biological females.
• Lobes (lobules, alveoli) produce milk.
• Lactiferous ducts are formed by many alveoli ducts, and these come together under the areola at the nipple.
• Suspensory ligaments hold segments together.

Ovarian Cyst

• Fluid-filled mass within the ovary.
• Most premenopausal women have ovarian cysts.
• Only 8% are symptomatic.
• May cause Pelvic discomfort.
• Severe pain if rupture occurs.
• Pain if the cyst twists over uterine tube.
• Rarely requires surgery and very infrequently cancerous.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Hormonal disorder (androgen and estrogen).
• Causes multiple follicles to develop in the ovary.
• Dysfunctional and a systemic disorder.
• Results in increased male-pattern hair in females.
• Can cause infertility, acne, obesity and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Treated with hormone replacement and symptomatic therapy

Oral Contraceptive Pill

• A pill with synthetic hormones that stops ovulation.
• Decreases estrogen and/or progesterone.
• This stops ovulation and makes mucus (especially cervix) "unhospitable" for sperm.

Medical Menopause

• Due to surgical removal of uterus and/or ovaries.
• Due to endometrial ablation.

Ectopic Pregnancy

• "Tubal Pregnancy"
• Implantation of a fertilized oocyte into the wall of uterine tube.
• Most frequently occurs at ampulla.
• Tubes too narrow to support growing fetus.
• Causes pain, bleeding, rupture of tube (week 5).
• Usually treated by surgical removal of tube and embryo.

Cervical Cancer

• Third most common cancer in women
• Only sexual transmitted Cancer
• Caused Human Papilloma Virus
• Usually asymptomatic but may have vaginal bleeding
• Found on PAP test
• Screening recommended at 21 years old

Endometriosis

• Presence of normal endometrial cells in regions other than the uterine cavity
• This tissue is reactive to hormones.
• Pain
• Menstrual problems
• Infertility
• Treatment, hormonal treatment, surgical removal of endometrial implants

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

• Infection of the upper repro. system in females.
• Uterus, uterine tubes
• Sexually Transmitted Infection
• 1 million women a year in US
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Fever, chills, Pelvic pain
• Treatment: antibodies, Sometimes Surgery
• May result in infertility

Episiotomy or Tear

• Perineum is at risk of tearing during childbirth
• Sometimes to avoid a tear, the medical provider will create a Surgical incision to allow for a wider exit of the newborn
• Less Contil than a tear? Less injury

Breast Cancer

• Ductal: most common, forms in cheys of breasts
• lobular: forms in lobules of breasts
• women > men
• Tobacco use
• more common in women > 50 yrs

Testes

• Prolonged exposure to "unopposed" estrogen
• Treatment: Chemo, radiation, Surgical excision and/for node dissection
• Biological agents
• Small egg-shaped organs.
• Produce sperm and testosterone.
• Receive blood supply from testicular arteries.
• In spermatic cord.
• Seminiferous tubules.
• Sertoli (Sustainacular) cells: "nurse cells" nourish developing sperm, secrete inhibin.
• Germ cells: Produce the sperm.
• Tissue around the ot
• Interstitial cells: Produce testosterone.

Scrotum

• Skin-covered sac that holds testes outside of the body.
• Temperature regulation to enhance sperm production.
• Cremasteric Muscle works to raise testes when inner thigh is touched.
• Protective reflex.

Epididymus

• "upon the twin"
• Comma-Shaped Structure
• Stores sperm during final maturation and prior to ejaculation
• Sperm that remain in epididymis degenerate and are resorbed.

Ductus Deferens

• Vas deferens
• Thick-walled tube.
• Travels from testes through spermatic cord, over urinary bladder, enlarges as ampulla and then unites with duct of Seminal vesicle
• Ejaculatory duct.

Seminal Vesicles

• Paired Structures.
• Located Posteriorly to urinary bladder.
• Secrete fructose and prostaglandins.
• Duct joins ductus deferens (at cumpulla) to become ejaculatory duct
• open into urethra

Prostate Gland

• "walnut-sized"
• Anterior lobe
• Posterior lobe
• Median lobe
• (Uterul lobes (2)
• Part fibromuscular tissues part exocrine gland

Penis

• Secretes alkaline fluid which makes up 30% of semen
• Also Secretes Protein: PSA
• Vascular "Muscle"
• Formed by a pair of corpora cavernosa and a single corpus spongiosum
• Root
• Bulb
• Crura (right and left)

Glans

• Homologues
• Copyright© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Reproductive System Homologues
  • The following table was presented
• Common Function is to produce gametes and sex hormones.

Cryptorchidism

• Undescended testes.
• Present in 3% of newborn males.
• More common in preterm.
• May descend after birth, but not usually after a year
• 40x increased risk of testicdor CA (if remains in baly)
• Infertility
• Treatment: orchiectomy (Cremorel of testis)

Testicular Cancer

• Uncommon, highly curable.
• 15-35 years
• Painless swelling on testicle
• Treated Surgically candy or chemo andfor radication

Vasectomy

• Vas Deferens of each testicle may be clipped to prevent delivery of sperm to penis
• Minimally Invasive

Prostate Cancer

• 1:6 men will be diagnosed with this in a lifetime
• Causes urinary difficulty, back pain, blood in unite
• Usually found Serendipitously on exam
• Treatment: Surgical remaal, radication, Active Surveillance
• usually very low growing