1. Female Reproductive System

2. (Ovaries) Female gonads Produces female sex hormones
Produce a limited number of gametes called eggs or ova (ovum)
Are connected to the uterus by two tubes known as fallopian tubes

3. Fallopian Tubes Also known as an oviduct
Tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus
Site of fertilization
Ends of each tube contain fingerlike projections known as fimbria
Fimbria sweep eggs into the oviduct

4. Uterus Hollow, upside down, pear-shaped organ
Located between bladder and anus
Largest organ in female system
Site of embryo and fetal development
Composed of two types of tissues:
Muscular outer lining
Glandular inner lining called endometrium

5. Cervix
Muscular band that separates uterus from the vagina

6. Vagina Connects the uterus to the outside environment
Site of sexual intercourse and birth canal
Acidity creates a hostile environment for microbes
Connected to the uterus by the a muscular band known as the cervix

7. What is the main difference we see between the female and male reproductive system?

8. Ovum Egg cell Much larger than male sex cell
Packed with nutrients to allow for rapid cell division once fertilized
Contains 23 chromosomes

9. Oogenesis Formation and development of mature ova
Occurs in specialized cells in the ovaries called follicles
Follicles contain two types of cells
Primary oocyte
Cells of the Granulosa
layer of small cells that form follicle wall
Provides nutrients for developing oocytes

12. Oogenesis
Begins when nutrient follicle surrounding primary oocyte begins to divide
Primary oocyte divides, cytoplasm and nutrients move to one of the end poles and form a secondary oocyte
Secondary oocyte contains 23 chromosomes
Remaining cell, first polar body, receives very little cytoplasm and dies

13. Oogenesis
Follicle cells surrounding secondary oocyte grow rapidly, a fluid filled cavity forms
Dominant follicle pushes outward trying to escape ovary
Constriction of blood vessels weakens ovarian wall
Enzymes weaken the follicle wall from the inside
Outer surface of ovary wall bursts and secondary oocyte is released, this is called ovulation

14. Follicle cells that were surrounding the secondary oocyte stay in the ovary and transform into the corpus luteum
CL secretes hormones essential for pregnancy
If pregnancy doesn’t happen, it degenerates after ~10 days
After its release from the ovary, the secondary oocyte is swept into the end of the Fallopian tube by the fimbria
Secondary oocyte is moved along the Fallopian tube by cilia
If healthy sperm are present, fertilization occurs

16. After fertilization in the Fallopian tube
Secondary oocyte undergoes another uneven division of cytoplasm and nutrients
The cells that retain most of the cytoplasm and nutrients becomes the ovum
Other cell becomes the second polar body which deteriorates
If fertilization doesn’t occur
Secondary oocyte will deteriorate within 24 hours and die
When this happens the woman has a menstrual cycle

17. Draw a flow chart comparing oogenesis and spermatogenesis..
Oogonium
Secondary Oocyte + follicle cells
Ovum
Second Polar Body
Primary Oocyte + follicle cells
Polar Body

18. Secondary Spermatocyte
Primary Spermatocyte
Secondary Spermatocyte
Spermatid
Spermatogonia

19. Secondary sex characteristics:
Puberty initiates development of secondary sex characteristics and menstrual cycle
Secondary sex characteristics:
Enlarged breasts
Hair growth in armpits and pubic area
Wider hips
Fat deposits around buttocks and hips
Angle from thigh to ankle slightly bent

20. Menstrual Cycle Includes: Lasts an average of 28 days
Oogenesis, ovulation, thickening and shedding of endometrium
Lasts an average of 28 days
4 distinct phases
Flow phase
Follicular phase
Ovulatory phase
Luteal phase

21. Flow Phase Marked by the shedding of the endometrium, or menstruation
Only phase of cycle that can be determined externally
~5 days for uterus to shed endometrium

22. Follicular Phase
Characterized by the development of follicles within the ovary
As follicle develops, estrogen is secreted
Estrogen activates the development of secondary sex characteristics and causes thickening of the endometrium
Takes place between 6 and 13 of female menstrual cycle

23. Ovulatory Phase
The secondary oocyte bursts from the ovary and follicular cells differentiate into the corpus luteum
On average, day 14 of cycle

24. Luteal Phase Begins when corpus luteum starts to develop
Occurs between days 15 and 28
Prepares uterus to receive fertilized egg
Estrogen levels begin to drop when oocyte leaves the ovary, levels are restored when corpus luteum forms
Corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone
Progesterone:
Stimulates the endometrium and prepares the uterus for an embryo
Inhibits further ovulation
Inhibits uterine contraction
Firms the cervix to prevent expulsion of the fetus

25. Luteal Phase If fertilization does not occur
Concentrations of estrogen and progesterone will decrease
The uterus will start to contract
Contraction makes the endometrium pull away from the uterine wall
Shedding of the endometrium marks the next flow phase

26. Interesting Info Each ovary contains 400 000 follicles at puberty
Between years of age, approx. 400 eggs will mature
Older follicles have higher chance of genetic damage

27. Feedback Control of Menstrual Cycle
Hypothalamus-Pituitary regulates estrogen and progesterone
Female gonadotropins are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH)
Regulate control of hormones produced by the ovaries
Estrogen & progesterone

28. Puberty is signalled by release of GnRH from the hypothalamus
GnRH activates the pituitary gland which produces and stores FSH and LH
Follicular phase
blood carries FSH secretions to the ovary where follicle development is stimulated
Follicles in the ovary secrete estrogen, which starts development of the endometrium
Increase in estrogen sends a negative feedback message to the pituitary to turn off secretions of FSH
Thus ending the follicular stage
At the same time, the increase in estrogen stimulates the LH producing cells of the pituitary
LH rises and ovulation occurs

29. After ovulation:
Remaining follicular cells are transformed into a working corpus luteum
This begins the luteal phase
Luteal Phase:
Corpus luteum secrets estrogen and progesterone
Estrogen and progesterone build up the endometrium, as they build up a second negative feedback system turns on

30. Progesterone and estrogen both inhibit the release of FSH and LH
Without FSH and LH the corpus luteum deteriorates slowing estrogen and progesterone production
The drop in ovarian hormones stimulates the beginning of menstruation