1. Chapter 28 Male and “Female” Reproduction System1 1

2. Female Reproductive System
Produces and delivers gametes, provides nutrition and safe harbor for fetal development, gives birth, and nourish the infant
Cyclic; female hormones secreted in a complex sequence
primary sex organs (gonads-ovaries) produce gametes-egg
secondary sex organs –
Ducts: uterine tubes transport
oocytes (eggs) and developing embryo
Uterus, and vagina receive sperm and harbor developing fetus
Accessory structures: mammary glands to nourish the newborn, secretes fluid, supports newborn
Gynecology: branch of medicine for diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive system
Obstetrics: branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy, labor and after birth

3. Support Attachments “Ovarian Ligaments”
BROAD LIGAMENT
attaches UTERUS to the PELVIC WALL
covers entire reproductive system;
becomes continuous with parietal peritoneum
“Ovarian Ligaments”
Mesovarium - attaches OVARIES to BROAD LIGAMENT -stabilizes and supports position of the ovaries
Suspensory ligament – anchors OVARIES to PELVIC WALL; contains major blood vessels to the ovary
Ovarian ligament - anchors OVARIES to UTERUS

4. Ovarian Ligament
Broad Ligament
Round Ligament
Suspensory Ligament

6. Uterus Pear-shaped - Usually tilts forward over the urinary bladder
Provides mechanical protection, nutritional support and waste removal for developing embryo (weeks 1–8) and fetus (week 9 through delivery); expels the fetus
Consists of fundus (dome shaped); body (main area); cervix
Cervix: opens into the vagina secretes mucus to plug opening during pregnancy
Cervical glands secrete mucus to prevents spread of microorganisms from the vagina to the uterus assist in the lubrication of the vagina
External os -external orifice of uterus leads into cervical canal-passageway opening to uterine cavity of body
Round ligament –Restrict posterior movements
Uterosacral – prevents uterine body from moving inferiorly and anteriorly
Cardinal ligaments- contains uterine artery and uterine vein; attaches cervix to pelvic wall; PREVENTS UTERUS FROM DROPPING INTO THE VAGINAL CANAL. Close proximity to URETERS, hysterectomy removes the uterus and during the binding/ligation of cardinal ligament ureters can become damaged

10. Wall of the UTERUS Endometrium
single layer of columnar epithelium resting on the layer of connective tissue that varies in thickness according to hormonal influences
10% of uterine mass
Inner layer: functional and basilar zones.
Myometrium – middle smooth muscle layer;
Constitutes almost 90% of the mass of the uterus
Arranged into longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers
Provides force to move fetus out of uterus into vagina
Perimetrium – outer serosa layer; continuous with peritoneal lining covers fundus and posterior surface of uterine body and isthmus

13. - -OVARIES Pair of oval organs
Descend into the pelvic region during the 3rd month of FETAL development
Secrete female sex hormones (estrogens, progestins)
Secrete inhibin involved in feedback control of pituitary FSH
Have a depression (hilus) on one side where blood vessels enter/exit
OVARIAN FOLLICLES -sac-like structures w/developing gametes produce immature female gametes (oocytes)
Contains: germinal epithelium (visceral peritoneum) that covers the surface of the ovaries - Stroma:
ovarian cortex contains different stages of follicular development; location of gamete production
ovarian medulla central part of the ovary that has blood vessels

15. Uterine tube / Fallopian Tube / Oviduct
Site for fertilization and early embryo development
Transports embryo to the uterus
Hollow, muscular tubes about 13 cm (5.2 in.) long
Infundibulum - expanded funnel near ovary contains fimbriae that extend into pelvic cavity
Inner surfaces lined with cilia beat toward middle segment
Ampulla - Middle segment ; smooth muscle layers in wall become thicker approaching uterus
Isthmus - short segment between ampulla and uterine wall
HISTOLOGY:
Mucosa – ciliated, simple columnar epithelium; Contains scattered mucin-secreting cells and peg cells that provides nutrients for spermatozoa and any developing zygote
Muscularis – circular and longitudinal smooth muscles peristalsis initiated a few hours before ovulation
Serosa – serous membrane

16. Mucosa of fallopian tube

17. Vagina
Elastic, muscular tube; passageway for sperms and menstrual flow; birthing canal
Low pH inhibits microbial growth; epithelium; acidity neutralized by sperm
Two bulbospongiosus muscles extend along sides of vaginal entrance; contribute to clitoral erection and orgasm, closes vagina.
Has no internal secreting glands normal lubrication and lubrication during arousal result of:
TRANSUDATION –“vaginal sweating” - serous fluid moving through vaginal walls (due to a difference in hydrostatic pressure)
Mucosal secretions produced by branched glands in the mucosa of the cervix directly above it
External greater vestibular glands at R/L of opening moisten the labia
Wall has folds (rugae) lined by stratified squamous epithelium. Provide for expansion of vagina during sexual activity; childbirth

18. External Genitalia Collectively called the vulva
mons pubis - mound of fat over pubic symphysis bearing MOST of the pubic hair
labia majora – pair of thick folds of skin and adipose tissue; sebacious/sudoriferous glands
labia minora –thin hairless folds
space between folds forms vestibule which contains urethral and vaginal openings; vestibular glands secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina; homologous to bulbourethral glands in males.
Clitoris - erectile, sensory organ primary center for erotic stimulation; structure like penis - pair of corpus cavernosa
Clitoris estimated to have around 8,000 sensory nerve endings, 2xs the glans of the penis and more than any other part of the human body
Collectively called the vulva

19. Breasts Mound of adipose/collagenous tissue overlying pectoralis major
Most of the time contains very little mammary gland
Size of the breast – determined by the amount of the adipose tissue
Nipple surrounded by circular colored zone the areola- contains modified SWEAT glands called areolar glands –
Gland secretions protect the nipple from chapping and cracking during nursing
Mammary glands: modified sweat glands  produce milk (lactation); system of ducts bring milk to the nipple
–15 to 20 lobes around the nipple
lactiferous duct drains each lobe
dilates to form lactiferous sinus which opens into the nipple
atrophies when a woman ceases to nurse
Hormonal regulation:
Estrogen – for the development of the breast
Prolactin – production of milk
Oxytocin – release of milk

22. Ovarian Cycle = Follicular phase - Primordial follicle
In 3 month “FETUS”, oogonia divide by mitosis
Form diploid PRIMARY OOCYTE surrounded by 1 layer of flat squamous GRANULOSA follicular cells that support the oocyte. PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE; accounts for 90 – 95% of follicles in fetus.
Primary oocytes begin meiosis I but stop at prophase I
The ovarian cortex surrounding the primordial follicles consists of collagen fibers and fibroblast-like stromal cells.
Each month after puberty, FSH and LH stimulate development of primordial follicles into primary follicles.
Primordial follicle – primary oocyte

23. Ovarian Cycle = Follicular phase - Primary follicles
The layer of follicular granulosa cells in the PRIMARY FOLLICLE surrounding the oocyte CHANGE from squamous to cuboidal.
As the follicle grows, microvilli from the granulosa cells interact with microvilli from the surface of the oocyte to form a layer of
Primary follicle primary oocyte
glycoprotein gel called the zona
pellucida BETWEEN the oocyte and the granulosa cells.
Contains vital enzymes that assist in fertilization.
regulates interactions between ovulated eggs and free- swimming sperm during and following fertilization.

24. “OC” Follicular phase-Secondary Follicles
Primary follicles continue to grow around maturing larger oocytes
Oocyte secretions draw connective tissue theca cells that surround the follicle's outermost layer form 2 layers: theca externa and interna.
theca externa – outer fibrous capsule blood vessels / collagen fibers
theca interna –HORMONE secreting layer producing Androstenedione, pre-cursor for synthesis of estrogens and androgens; absorbed by granulosa cells then converted to estrogens.
Estrogen is the driving force of OVARIAN cycle inhibiting the release of LH that would trigger ovulation. Nearing the END of the ovarian cycle, FSH stimulates GnRH to increase levels of LH on granulosa cells; estrogen drops off dramatically.
Collectively the mass of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte are called the cumulus oophorus (co) and begin to secrete follicular fluid which builds up in a cavity called the antrium in the center of the secondary follicle. The innermost layer of cells separates from the “co” and becomes firmly attached to the zona pellucida; now called the corona radiata
SECONDARY follicle – PRIMARY oocyte

25. CO secrete fluid antrium
Secondary follicles
Secrete androstenedione
CO secrete fluid antrium

26. Ovarian Cycle = Follicular phase- Secondary
1-Primary follicle
2- granulosa cells
3- oocyte
4- zona pellucida
5- nucleus
9- theca folliculi 5

27. Ovarian Cycle Follicular phase
Tertiary follicles/Graafian Mature Follicles
Secondary follicle becomes larger maturing into a Graafian (mature) follicle with larger antrum/cavity
Graafian follicles can attain a tremendous size that is hampered only by the availability of FSH
Rise in LH stimulates primary oocyte to complete meiosis I; forms SECONDARY oocyte [receives most of the cytoplasm] and non-functional polar body [packet of discarded nuclear material].
Once secondary oocyte is formed, begins meiosis II but stops at metaphase II. Will not complete meiosis II until fertilized.
Mature graafian follicle soon ruptures and releases is secondary oocyte – a process known as Ovulation.
Tertiary follicle – secondary oocyte
Animation-oogenesis:

29. Ovarian Cycle Ovulation
Graafian follicle (mature) secretes hormones
LH stimulates proteolytic enzymes and inflammation weaken follicular walls resulting in rupture = ovulation
secondary oocyte (surrounded by zona pellucida and corona radiata (the inner most layer of granulosa cells) is released from the ovaries
The oocyte and “layers” moves into the peritoneal cavity-cilia of the fimbriae sweep it into fallopian tube(estrogen activates fimbriae causing it to swell with blood and hit the ovary in a gentle sweeping motion)
Normally takes 3-4 days for an oocyte to travel to uterine cavity from the infundibulum
Surface of ovaries in older women are scarred and pitted, evidence of multiple ovulations

31. Ovarian Cycle LUTEAL Phase
During Luteal phase GnRH stimulates LH more than FSH
High LH levels trigger Ovulation - only spikes for hrs
Follicular jacket made of THECA CELLS with LH receptors remains in the ovaries and continues to secrete hormones to support potential / early pregnancy – becomes CORPUS LUTEUM
Corpus luteum secretes PROGESTERONE
progesterone thickens the uterus lining (stimulates uterine glands) in anticipation of potential implantation–impregnation
10X INCREASE IN PROGESTERONE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE LUTEAL PHASE
Rise in progesterone; decline in estrogen “SUPPRESSES” GnRH “No FSH and LH secretion”- in expectation of pregnancy
Unless pregnancy occurs, corpus luteum begins to degenerate after 12 days and becomes the corpus albicans
Progesterone levels decline; Ovarian cycle begins again
Contraceptive pills - progesterone & estrogen combination  negative feedback on the anterior pituitary & hypothalamus  prevents secretion of FSH & LH  no follicular development or ovulation  no possible pregnancy

33. Fertilization If Secondary oocyte is fertilized
Secondary oocyte completes meiosis II
Zygote is formed and undergoes early cleavage divisions
Embryonic cells secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by day 9 after fertilization occurs - signals the CORPUS LUTEUM (remains of the follicle following ovulation) to continue progesterone secretion, maintaining endometrium of uterus and providing an area rich in blood vessels where the zygote(s) can develop
Embryo implants in the uterus
Placenta is established and secretes large amounts of hormones (estrogens, progesterone, relaxin, inhibin, hCG)
hCG produced in placenta; large amounts secreted in urine; indication of pregnancy
Hormones support pregnancy and inhibit hypothalamus

34. Sterilization Procedures
Female Sterility:
Hysterectomy: surgical removal of uterus and/or ovaries and ducts
Physiological effect on hormone secretions
Tubal ligation
Oviduct is cut, folded back and tied
 access to secondary oocyte is blocked for the sperms
 ovaries continue to develop follicles and hormones
 secondary oocytes degenerate in the oviduct
 No major effect on the physiology

35. Life’s a journey - Make the most of it!