Male and female sex organ functions:
2. Production of hormones
Production of gametes (sex cells) and production of hormones are under the control of:
Tropic hormones from the pituitary gland
Testicular activity is under the control of 2 anterior pituitary hormones:
2. ICSH/ LH stimulates interstitial cells to produce testosterone
Interstitial cells:
Lie between the seminiferous tubules and produce testosterone
Where does sperm develop?
Within the seminiferous tubules of each testis
Testosterone function:
Influences sperm cell development and produces male secondary sex characteristics (facial/body hair and deep voice)
Pathway of sperm upon ejaculation:
Vas deferens
Ejaculatory duct
Urethra
Glands/pathways that produce transport medium/semen:
Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s glands)
Epididymis:
Where sperm is stored as they mature
Vas deferens:
Sperm duct
Seminal vescicles:
Secretes milky alkaline substance that help sperm survive in the acidic vagina
Prostate gland:
Thins semen
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s glands):
Lubricates urethra prior to ejaculation
Estrogen:
Produced by the follicle, initiates preparation of the endometrium of the uterus for pregnancy
Role of LH in female reproductive system:
Released from the pituitary, stimulates ovulation and the conversion of the follicle to corpus luteum
Corpus luteum secretes:
Estrogen and progesterone
Corpus luteum and fertilization:
If fertilization occurs, corpus luteum remains functional.
If fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates and menstruation occurs
What happens if fertilization occurs?
How is the placenta formed?
By embryonic and maternal tissues
Progesterone:
Stimulates the development of the endometrium
Internal female genitalia:
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes
Uterus
Vagina
Ovaries:
Produce oocytes and secrete sex hormones
Fallopian tube:
Captures oocytes during ovulation, leading to fertilization
Regulatory hormones that orchestrate the menstrual cycle: