Female Reproductive System More complicated than male reproductive system in many ways Approximately one egg matures per month The highest number of births ever recorded to one woman is 57!! Function of the female reproductive system is to accept sperm from the male and provide an egg (female sex cell) for the sperm to fuse with (fertilization), then to nurture and develop a fetus in order to reproduce successfully

Reproductive Structures and Function Ovary- Responsible for production of female sex hormones (progesterone & estrogen) and storage of egg cells - Ovarian may occur here but can be detected during a pelvic exam which is performed during the yearly physical exam Oviduct- (a.k.a. fallopian tube) passage by which the ovum (egg) moves towards the uterus, also where fertilization will take place. If implantation occurs in this structure an ectopic pregnancy will result. Why eould this be dangerous?

Uterus- implantation of the fertilized ovum and fetus development will take place here Cervix- separates the vagina from the uterus and holds the fetus in place during pregnancy - cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in females and can be detected during the pap test where the physician will use a brush to collect some cervical cells to test

Ovarian Cancer

Cervical Cancer

Pap Test

Reproductive Structures and Function Continued… Vagina- connects the uterus with the outer environment, serves as birth canal and is location that sexual intercourse occurs Vulva- correct term for the external female genitalia Clitoris- a highly sensitive swelling of skin and nerve endings located above the urethra Labia Majora & Minora- outer and inner lips of the vulva for protection of the vagina, urethra and clitoris

Female Genitalia (Vulva)

Female Reproductive Anatomy (Figure 17.6)

Oogenesis & Ovulation The ovary contains small groups of cells called a follicle. The follicles are made up of 2 things: the primary oocyte and the granulosa cells. The oocyte undergoes meiosis and decreases chromosome numbers from 46 to 23 creating the ovum or mature oocyte During each menstrual cycle about 1000 follicles begin producing an mature ovum but only one is successful Unlike men who produce sperm throughout their lives, women are born with a certain amount of follicles and will not produce anymore, follicle numbers constantly decrease and by the time a woman reaches menopause only a few follicles will remain, If a woman produces 400 mature follicles in her lifetime then approximately how old will she be when she enters menopause?

Oogenesis & Ovulation Continued… Follicle development is controlled by a hormone relaesed by the pituitary gland The primary oocyte undergoes Meiosis I producing the secondary oocyte with 23 chromosomes, the follicle then ruptures releasing the secondary follicle from the ovary and this is referred to as ovulation. The secondary oocyte then undergoes Meiosis II producing the ovum or mature oocyte which is ready for fertilization. The ruptured follicle left behind in the ovary then transform into the corpus luteum which secretes hormones needed for pregnancy, if fertilization does not occur this structure will degenerate within 10 days.

Ovulation (Figure 17.7) - LH - FSH - Progesterone & Estrogen

Ovulation and Menstruation Animation

Practice Questions From Last Day (Male Reproductive System) pp. 411 q. 2-8 Female Reproductive System pp. 418 q. 10-15

Menstrual Cycle Approximately 28 days long Four phases: Flow Phase- shedding of the endometrium (menstruation) last about 5 days, first day is day 1 of the cycle

Follicular phase- development of follicles in the ovary and last about 6-13 days, hormone estrogen is secreted during this time (promotes the development of female secondary sex characteristics) examples? Ovulation- follicle bursts and secondary oocyte is released and corpus luteum starts to form, occurs around day 14 Luteal Phase- full development of the corpus luteum which secretes progesterone and estrogen to sustain a pregnancy

Menstrual Cycle Continued… Estrogen- promotes the development of secondary sex characteristics such as breasts, body hair, and thickening of the endometrium Progesterone- stimulates the endometrium so that it does not shed, prepares the uterus for an embryo, prevents uterine contractions & inhibits ovulation

So how does this apply to birth control pills which contain a very high concentration of progesterone? If pregnancy does not occur then levels of progesterone and estrogen decrease causing uterine contractions that will shed the endometrium (menstruation), these are called menstrual cramps

Female Hormones Diagram

Menstruation vs. Implantation

Menstrual Cycle Figure 17.8 page 416