Compendium Review

Major Topic One: Reproductive System

Table of Contents
Part One
• The Male Reproductive System and Hormones
• The Female Reproductive System
• Hormones and Cycles
• Birth Control Methods
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Part Two
• AIDS
• Phases of the Infection
• Structure and Life Cycle
Part Three
• Fertilization
• Pre-embryonic and Embryonic Development
• Fetal Development, Pregnancy and Birth
• Development after Birth
• The Male Reproductive System and Hormones
• The Female Reproductive System
• Female Hormones and Cycles
• Birth Control Methods
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Pic from Human

Biology Pg 321-23
 The Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system contains the following organs:
1. Testes: generates sperm and hormones, and are held within scrotum sac. The scrotum holds the
testis closer/away from the body to protects them from temperature variations. The epididymis
(duct) is responsible for sperm maturation and storage. Once sperm are mature, they travel via the
vas deferens (ducts; one from each testis) where they can also be stored for a time. When sperm
leave the vas deferens they enter the urethra in the penis and are mixed with a fluid called semen.
Semen is produced by the prostate gland, Bulbourethral gland, and the seminal vesicles.
2. Penis: organ used for sexual intercourse.

Pic from Human

Biology Pg 321
 The Male Reproductive System
The penis has a larger tip at the end known as the glans penis, and the shaft of the penis includes
columns of erectile tissue, connective tissue, an external urethral opening where semen or urine
exit from (at different times), vein, nerves, and arteries. During an erection, the erectile tissue
spaces fill with blood. Once seminal fluid has entered the urethra, muscle contractions cause
ejaculation (the release of the fluid from the penis). This contraction is part of the male orgasm, a
sensation which occurs during the climax of stimulation. Typical sperm count during ejaculation is
around 400 million sperm.

Pic from Human

Biology Pg 322
 Inside the testes are The Male Reproductive System
compartments known as lobules
that include tightly coiled
seminiferous tubules. Inside
these tubules are cells that are
undergoing spermatogenesis
(production of sperm). The
process from spermatogonia to
sperm takes about 74 days as
depicted by the diagram. Also in
these tubules are cells that
secrete male sex hormones.

Pic from Human

Biology Pg 323

Sertoli cells support and regulate the spermatogenesis process while offering nourishment. Mature sperm
contain a head (contains nucleus in cap called acrosome), a middle piece (contains mitochondria for
energy), and a tail (aids in movement).
 The Male Reproductive System
Gonadotropic hormones are secreted by the
anterior pituitary once it is stimulated by the
release of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing
hormone). GnRH is a hormone secreted by the
hypothalamus. The gonadotropic hormones
include FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and
LH (luteinizing hormone). FSH stimulates sperm
production and LH stimulates testosterone
production. Testosterone is responsible for male
secondary sex traits and the
development/function of the male reproductive
organs listed below.

Pic from Human Biology Pg 321-24

• The Male Reproductive System and Hormones
• The Female Reproductive System
• Female Hormones and Cycles
• Birth Control Methods
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Pic from Human

Biology Pg 325
 The Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system contains the following organs:
1. Ovaries: oval shaped sacs which produce eggs and the female sex hormones. Do not connect to
oviducts; fimbriae (finger-like projections) touch the ovaries and aid in egg movement towards the
oviducts.
2. Oviducts: known as the fallopian tubes, extend (but do not touch the ovaries) down to the uterus.
Fertilization takes place in an oviduct.
3. Uterus (womb): muscular organ which houses a developing fetus. Connected to oviducts at top and
cervix (contains uterus opening) at bottom.
4. Vagina: canal below cervix which serves as an exit for menstrual flow, birth canal, and is the organ that
receives the penis during sexual intercourse.

Pic from Human Biology Pg 325

 The Female Reproductive System
The external genital organs consist of the following:
1. Vulva: The labia majora are two folds of skin that stretch from the mons pubis and the labia
minora are folds of skin positioned interior of the labia majora. The glans clitoris contains erectile
tissue and is the sexual arousal organ.
During stimulation, the clitoris and the labia minora become enlarged with blood and small droplets
of fluid are released by blood vessels in the vagina walls to help lubricate the vagina.

“The internal anatomy of the human vulva, with the clitoral

Pic & verbiage from Human Biology Pg 326 and hood and labia minora indicated as lines. The clitoris extends
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clitoris
from the visible portion to a point below the pubic bone.”
The Female Reproductive System Inside each ovary are
follicles that contain an
oocyte (immature egg).
During the ovarian cycle, a
primary follicle will mature
and change to a secondary
follicle and then to a
vesicular follicle. The
vesicular follicles become
enlarged due to follicular
fluid, where they then push
against a side of the inner
ovary wall and eventually
the oocyte bursts out (the
ovulation process). Once
an oocyte has burst from a
vesicular follicle, the follicle
turns into a glandlike
structure called a corpus
luteum. The female sex
hormones progesterone
and estrogen are produced
by the ovaries. Estrogen is
produced by a primary and
secondary follicle, while a
secondary follicle and a
corpus luteum produce
Pic from http://academic.kellogg.cc.mi.us/herbrandsonc/bio201_McKinley/f28-4a-d_ovary_c.jpg
progesterone.
• The Male Reproductive System and Hormones
• The Female Reproductive System
• Female Hormones and Cycles
• Birth Control Methods
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Pic from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Im
age:Estradiol.Cycle.JPG
 Female Hormones and Cycles
Just like the testes in males, the
hypothalamus has control of the
ovary functions in females.
Gonadotropic hormones are
secreted by the anterior pituitary
once it is stimulated by the release
of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing
hormone). GnRH is a hormone
secreted by the hypothalamus. The
gonadotropic hormones include FSH
(follicle-stimulating hormone) and
LH (luteinizing hormone). Follicles
that secrete estrogen are prompted
to develop by FSH (follicular phase).
As estrogen spikes, the
hypothalamus releases GnGH which
leads to LH production and ovulation
(14th day of 28) day cycle. The
corpus luteum which secretes
progesterone is prompted to
develop by LH (luteal phase).
Pic from Human Biology Pg 328
 Female Hormones and Cycles The hormones estrogen
and progesterone not only
affects females
reproductive systems, but
their sex characteristics as
well. Body hair, fat
distribution, and breast
development are heavily
affected by estrogen, and
breast development is
slightly affected by
progesterone. Estrogen
and progesterone have a
huge impact on
menstruation. The uterine
cycle, also known as the
menstruation cycle,
consists of an average 28
day cycle in which the
follicular phase, ovulation,
and the luteal phase all
affect the female uterus
lining, known as
When ovaries no longer respond to gonadotropic hormones, estrogen and endometrium.
progesterone secretion ceases and the onset of menopause starts. Full
menopause is when menstruation ceases completely.
Pic from Human Biology Pg 329
 Female Hormones and Cycles

When estrogen and progesterone are low, the endometrium will start to disintegrate
(menstruation phase days 1-5). The proliferative phase includes an increase in
estrogen (new follicle) and the thickening of endometrium (days 6-13). Ovulation will
occur on approximately the 14th day of the cycle. During the Luteal phase, the corpus
luteum produces progesterone causing the endometrium to thicken (secretory phase
days 15-28). If the thickened endometrium does not receive a fertilized egg, hormone
levels drop and menstruation occurs.
Pic from Human Biology Pg 329
 Female Hormones and Cycles
Fertilization is the process of
a sperm penetrating an egg
(becoming a zygote on day
one. Around day six the
developing embryo will plant
in the uterus. The embryo,
which later becomes the
fetus, grows in the placenta
(a sac of tissues where
molecules and blood are
exchanged). The placenta
will produce HCG,
maintaining the corpus
luteum. The corpus luteum
will produce increased levels
of progesterone which shuts
down new follicle
development in the ovaries
and preserves the uterine
lining.
Pic from Human Biology Pg 330
 Female Hormones and Cycles

“During each menstrual cycle, an egg is released by one of the ovaries (ovulation). The egg travels
into the fallopian tube. If fertilization is to occur, sperm ejaculated into the vagina must swim up the
uterus and into the fallopian tube where one sperm penetrates the egg. The fertilized egg then travels
into the uterus, where it embeds itself in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).”

Pic from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/premature-ovarian-failure/DS00843/DSECTION=3

• The Male Reproductive System and Hormones
• The Female Reproductive System
• Female Hormones and Cycles
• Birth Control Methods
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Pic from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MalePregnancy_poster.jpg

Birth control pills (contraceptives) are one of the most commonly used means of preventing pregnancy. A
packet consists of 28 pills, where 21 are active and 7 are inactive pills. Synthetic estrogen and
progesterone make up the active pills which inhibit the development of new follicles by shutting down FSH
and LH production. The inactive pills contain no estrogen or progesterone which will cause menstruation.
Intrauterine devices (IUD), condoms (female and male), diaphragms, contraceptive implants,
contraceptive injections, and contraceptive vaccines can be used as well.

Pictures from Human Biology Pg 331

Table from Human
Biology pg 333
 Birth Control Methods
A vasectomy (cutting vas deferens on each side to prohibit sperm from reaching seminal
fluids) and a tubal ligation (cutting oviducts on each side) produce sterilization. Also, the
morning-after pill is an oral contraception that can be taken up to several days after
unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy from occurring. Another type of morning-after pill
can cause an implanted embryo to be ejected through menstruation by blocking
progesterone receptors.

Pictures and verbiage from

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Va
sectomy/PublishingImages/vase
ctomy(A).jpg &
http://www.nytimes.com/imagep
ages/2007/08/01/health/adam/17
136Tuballigation.html

1. Bladder
2. Pelvic bone
3. Spermatic cord cut
4. Testical
5. Seminal vesicle
 Birth Control Methods
Infertility is the failure to conceive after one year of trying. In males, infertility can be
caused by low sperm count, abnormal sperm, smoking and alcohol consumption. In
females, abnormal body weight, blocked oviducts, or syndromes that affect follicle
development and ovulation. Some common assisted reproductive technologies include
artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, surrogates, and
intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Oocyte is injected during ICSI 8-cell embryo for transfer fetus

These pictures show the in vitro fertilization process where a sperm is being injected into an oocyte
via intracytoplasmic sperm injection and a cell that is ready for implantation.
Pics from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vitro_fertilization
 Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) can be caused by viruses and bacteria's.
STD’s Caused by Viruses
1. HIV Infection: Leads to AIDS (acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome), helper T cell count reduces,
onset of other infections due to weakened immune
system, presently incurable with no vaccine available.
2. Genital Warts: outbreak of warts or flat lesions,
incurable. May be caused by the human papillomavirus
which there is currently a vaccine for.
3. Genital Herpes: outbreak of blisters which can rupture
leaving painful ulcers, incurable.
4. Hepatitis: six known strands (A-G), affects the liver,
vaccines available for A and B. Depending on which
strand of hepatitis, the virus can be transmitted sexually,
through blood, shared needles, and contaminated water
or food.
STD’s Caused by Bacteria
1. Chlamydia: mild burning sensation when
urinating, discharge, cervical ulcerations. Can be
treated with antibiotics.
2. Gonorrhea: Pain when urinating, greenish yellow
discharge, pelvic inflammatory disease, can spread
to other organs in body, affects genital and oral
areas. Partially curable by antibiotics.
3. Syphilis: ulcerates sore at site of infection, rash,
affects the cardiovascular and nervous systems,
causes death. Can be treated with antibiotics.
4. Vaginitis, protozoan, yeast, and trichomoniasis
infections are other bacteria related infections.

Pic from
www.coldsorebli
sters.com/imag
es/herpes1.jpg
 Works Cited
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