6.

6 Reproduction
Monday, 9 July 2012 1:12 PM

6.6.1 Draw and label diagrams of the adult male and female reproductive systems.

6.6.2 Outline the role of hormones in the menstrual cycle, including FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), estrogen and progesterone. Hormone FSH Source Anterior pituitary gland Function Target organ: ovary Stimulates maturation of ovum in ovarian follicle and ovulation Target organ: ovary Initiates ovulation Converts ruptured follicle into corpus luteum

LH

Anterior pituitary gland

Oestrogen

Ovary - ovarian follicles and then corpus Target organ: endometrium of uterus luteum Stimulates thickening of endometrium Increases uterine growth Maintains secondary females sexual characteristics Inhibits secretion of FSH

Progestero Ovary - corpus luteum and the placenta Target organ: endometrium of uterus ne Maintains endometrium of uterus Inhibits ovulation Inhibits FSH Inhibits LH Uterine cycle:

6 Page 1

Uterine cycle: Changes that occur in uterus Involves oestrogen secreted by growing follicle causing endometrium to thicken Oestrogens and progesterone from corpus luteum develop and maintain lining of endometrium When hormone levels drop, endometrium disintegrates, menstrual flow begins Prepares ovaries for ovulation and uterus for implantation Female hormonal cycle that starts at puberty Each cycle lasts 28 days Purpose: time the release of an egg/ovum for fertilisation and implantation into inner lining of uterus Implantation must occur when endometrium is highly vascular Breakdown of blood vessels leads to menstruation Menstruation is a sign that no pregnancy occurred Hormones: Hypothalamus is the regulatory centre of the menstrual cycle Hypothalamus produces GnRH (gonadotrophin releasing hormone) GnRH targets nearby pituitary gland --> pituitary producing and secreting FSH and LH FSH and LH target ovaries

Ovarian cycle: Events that occur in ovary Begins with release of GnRH from hypothalamus, stimulates pituitary gland to release LH, FSH Follicular phase: a follicle develops in ovary, follicle ruptures releasing egg Luteal phase: after ovulation, ruptured follicle forms corpus luteum
FSH and LH on ovaries: 1. Increase production and secretion of oestrogen by follicle cells Oestrogen enters bloodstream Target tissue is endometrium of uterus Increase in blood vessels of endometrium (highly vascular) 2. Production of Graafian follicles Follicle cells and oocytes in the ovaries Under stimulation of FSH and LH, follicle cells and oocytes --> Graafian follicle

6 Page 2

6.6.3 Annotate a graph showing hormone levels in the menstrual cycle, illustrating the relationship between changes in hormone levels and ovulation, menstruation and thickening of the endometrium.

6 Page 3

6.6.4 List three roles of testosterone in males.

Androgens: Steroid hormones Stimulate development and maintenance of male reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Produce functional sperm - spermatogenesis Maintain secretory glands of male reproductive tract Influence secondary sexual characteristics Enhance and maintain sexual desire Affect anatomical development of male genitalia during embryonic development

6.6.5 Outline the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF is one of the reproductive technologies developed to help overcome: Males with low sperm counts Males with impotence (failure to achieve/maintain an erection) Females who can't ovulate normally Females with blocked Fallopian tubes
IVF procedure: 1. Woman injected with FSH for 10 days (for development of many Graafian follicles within ovaries) 2. Several eggs (oocytes) harvested surgically 3. Sperm cells obtained from man --> swim-up test 4. Eggs mixed with sperm cells in separate culture dishes 5. Microscopic observation to tell which ova are fertilised, and if development is normal and healthy 6. 2 or 3 healthy embryos are introduced to uterus for implantation 7. Other healthy embryos can be frozen and used later 6.6.6 Discuss the ethical issues associated with IVF. Advantages Enables childless couples to have a family Unhealthy embryos can be eliminated from consideration for implantation Genetic screening on embryos before implantation to prevent genetic diseases Lead to further benefits in reproductive biology Disadvantages Complex legal issues concerning the use of frozen embryos when couples split up Genetic screening could lead to society choosing desirable characteristics Reproductive problems are passed on (IVF bypasses nature's way of decreasing genetic frequency of reproductive problem) Problems associated with multiple births are more likely Extra embryos are frozen or destroyed

6 Page 4