1. Chapter 16 The Female Reproductive System

2. The Reproductive System
Gonads – primary sex organs
Testes in males
Ovaries in females
Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and secrete hormones
Male – sperm (gametes) and testosterone (hormones)
Female - Ova (eggs) and progesterone and estrogen (hormones)

3. Female Reproductive System
Function:
Produce eggs and sex hormones
Estrogen and progesterone
Prepare to nurture a developing embryo for nine months

4. Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
Duct System
Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia

5. Female Reproductive System
Figure 16.8a

6. Ovaries Paired ovaries located in the peritoneal cavity
Composed of ovarian follicles (sac-like structures)
Structure of an ovarian follicle
Oocyte - immature egg
Follicle cells
Figure 16.7

7. Ovarian Follicle Stages
Primary follicle – contains an immature oocyte
Graafian (vesicular) follicle – growing follicle with a maturing oocyte
Ovulation – when the egg is mature the follicle ruptures
Occurs about every 28 days
The ruptured follicle is transformed into a corpus luteum

8. Support for Ovaries
Suspensory ligaments – secure ovary to lateral walls of the pelvis
Ovarian ligaments – attach medially to uterus
Broad ligament – a fold of the peritoneum, supports the uterine tubes, uterus and vagina

9. Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
Duct System
Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia

10. Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
Receive the ovulated oocyte
Provide a site for fertilization
Attaches to the uterus
Does not physically attach to the ovary
Some eggs are lost

11. Uterine Tube Function
Fimbriae – finger-like projections at the distal end that receive the oocyte
Cilia inside the uterine tube and peristalsis slowly move the oocyte towards the uterus (takes 3–4 days)
Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube

12. Uterine Tube Function
Gonorrhea bacteria sometimes infects the periotoneal cavity - between the ovary and fallopian tube because it is not connected
Causes severe inflammation called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Major cause of female infertility

13. Uterus (womb) Never been pregnant – size and shape of a pear
Located between the urinary bladder and rectum
Hollow, thick-walled organ
Functions of the uterus
Receives, retains and nourishes a fertilized egg

14. Regions of the Uterus Body – main portion
Fundus – area where uterine tube enters
Cervix – narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina

15. Three Layers (walls) of the Uterus
Endometrium
Inner layer
Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg
Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses)
Myometrium
Middle layer of smooth muscle; contractions and orgasms
Serous layer
Outer visceral peritoneum

16. Vagina Extends from cervix to exterior of body
Behind bladder and in front of rectum
Serves as the birth canal
Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
Hymen – partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured

17. External Genitalia (Vulva)
Mons pubis
Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
Covered with pubic hair after puberty
Labia – skin folds
Labia majora
Labia minora
Figure 16.9

18. External Genitalia Vestibule Clitoris Enclosed by labia majora
Contains opening of the urethra and the greater vestibular glands (produce mucus)
Clitoris
Contains erectile tissue
Corresponds to the male penis

19. Oogenesis The total supply of eggs are present at birth
Ability to release eggs begins at puberty
Reproductive ability ends at menopause
Female gametes are produced by meiosis
Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian follicles

20. Oogenesis Oogonium – female stem cells found in a developing fetus
Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes
Primary oocytes are surrounded by cells that form primary follicles in the ovary

21. Oogenesis Primary oocytes are inactive until puberty
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes some primary follicles to mature
Ovarian cycle - primary follicles grow and mature each month
Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle
Produces a secondary oocyte and the first polar body
Meiosis is completed after ovulation only if sperm penetrates

22. Oogenesis
Figure 16.10

23. Menstrual (Uterine) Cycle
Cyclic changes of the endometrium
Regulated by cyclic production of estrogens and progesterone
Stages of the menstrual cycle
Menses – functional layer of the endometrium is sloughed
Proliferative stage – regeneration of functional layer
Secretory stage – endometrium increases in size and readies for implantation

24. Hormone Production by the Ovaries
Estrogens
Produced by follicle cells
Endometrium is repaired and grows thick
Forms glands in the endometrium
Lack of estrogen and progesterone causes endometrium to slough off (menses)

25. Hormone Production by the Ovaries
Estrogens
Cause secondary sex characteristics
Enlargement of accessory organs
Development of breasts
Appearance of axillary and pubic hair
Increase in fat beneath the skin
Widening and lightening of the pelvis
Onset of menses

26. Hormone Production by the Ovaries
Progesterone
Produced by the corpus luteum
Helps maintain pregnancy
Causes endometrial glands to begin secretion of nutrients
Maintains the myometrium in an inactive state if implantation of an embryo has occurred

27. Mammary Glands Present in both sexes, but only function in females
Modified sweat glands
Function is to produce milk (lactation)
Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly estrogens) to increase in size

28. Stages of Pregnancy and Development
Fertilization
Embryonic development
Fetal development
Childbirth

29. Fertilization The oocyte is viable for 12 to 24 hours after ovulation
Sperm are viable for 12 to 48 hours after ejaculation
Sperm cells must make their way to the uterine tube for fertilization to be possible

30. Mechanisms of Fertilization
Membrane receptors on an oocyte pulls in the head of the first sperm cell to make contact
The membrane of the oocyte does not permit a second sperm head to enter
The oocyte then undergoes its second meiotic division
Fertilization occurs when the genetic material of a sperm combines with that of an oocyte to form a zygote

31. The Zygote First cell of a new individual
The result of the fusion of DNA from sperm and egg
The zygote begins rapid mitotic cell divisions
The zygote stage is in the uterine tube, moving toward the uterus

32. The Embryo
Developmental stage from the start of cleavage until the ninth week
The embryo floats free in the uterus temporarily
Uterine secretions are used for nourishment

33. The Blastocyst Ball-like circle of cells
Secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to produce the corpus luteum to continue producing hormones
The late blastocyst implants in the wall of the uterus (by day 14)

34. Derivatives of Germ Layers
Primary germ layers are eventually formed
Ectoderm (outside layer)
Nervous system
Epidermis of the skin
Mesoderm (middle layer)
Everything else
Endoderm (inside layer)
Mucosae
Glands

35. Development After Implantation
The embryo is surrounded by the amnion (a fluid filled sac)
An umbilical cord forms to attach the embryo to the placenta

36. Development from Ovulation to Implantation

37. Functions of the Placenta
Forms a barrier between mother and embryo (blood is not exchanged)
Delivers nutrients and oxygen
Removes waste from embryonic blood

38. The Fetus (Beginning of the Ninth Week)
All organ systems are formed by the end of the eighth week
Activities of the fetus are growth and organ specialization
A stage of tremendous growth and change in appearance
By 270 days (nine months) the fetus is full-term and ready to be born

39. In Vitro Fertilization

41. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Disease spread from one person to another during sexual contact.
Infect millions in US each year
There are more than 25 different diseases
Viral
Human papilloma virus (HPV)
Herpes (genital)
Hepatitis A, B, and C (generally B)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Bacterial
Syphilis
Gonorrhea
Chlamydia

42. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Viral
Herpes (genital)
~45 million people are infected with it
Two types of herpes (HSV -1 causes oral herpes and HSV -2 causes genital herpes)
Symptoms include pain and itching in infected areas
Lesions in the genital areas and buttocks
No cure for the virus

43. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Viral
Humanpapilloma virus (HPV)
About 80% of humans are infected
100 different types of HPV and ~ 30 are STD
Usually no symptoms but some can lead to genital warts
No cure for the virus
Some types can lead to cervical cancer
Females – have a vaccine to prevent HPV

44. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Viral
Hepatitis A, B, and C (generally B)
Hepatitis B attacks your liver and usually leads to death
~1.25 million Americans infected with
Vaccine available to prevent infection
Usually no symptoms but some experience jaundice, and flu symptoms
No cure for the virus

45. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Viral
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Virus attacks your immune system (t-helper cells that fight off infections
Eventually the body cannot fight off infections
When this happens the person acquires AIDS
First few weeks feel like you have the flu but then no symptoms
No cure for the virus but medications to help

46. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Bacterial
Syphilis
Majority of sufferers are males
Syphilis can be treated if caught early
If untreated it can lead to heart problems, blindness and death
Primary syphilis results in painless sores, secondary syphilis results in a rash with a fever and fatigue, third stage can last for years and end in blindness, numbness, and death

47. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Bacterial
Gonorrhea (the clap)
Most people infected are under the age of 30
Can be cured by antibiotics
Difficult to diagnose because it usually presents with urinary symptoms

48. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Bacterial
Chlamydia (‘silent disease’)
Most common STD
~ 3 million cases per year
Usually no symptoms but some people experience discharge and painful urination
Antibiotics can cure the infection