Sperm production Ductus deferens Epididymis The cells of Leydig in testes secrete Seminiferous testosterone (T) tubules T secreted at puberty produces 2 o sex characteristics, spermatogenesis, & maintain tracts Ductus deferens Sperm production Epididymis Spermatogenesis: spermatogonia (2N) Seminiferous tubules spermatozoa (N) Lumen of seminifeous tubule Sertoli cell Spermatids Secondary spermatocyte Primary spermatocyte Sertoli cell Meiosis Spermatogonium Mitosis 1
Controlling sperm production Unlike females, males produce sperm from puberty onward Spermatogenesis controlled by LH and FSH LH & FSH in males LH acts on Leydig cells for T prod n FSH acts on Sertoli cells for sperm prod n (inhibin provides negative feedback) 2
Causes of infertility? Sperm production, viability influenced by: Smoking, marijuana use Alcohol abuse Anabolic steroids, overly intense exercise, stress Tight underwear, pants Environmental pollutants (pesticides, lead, paint, radiation, heavy metals) Sperm storage Spermatids become motile and are stored in epididymis and ductus deferens Making something to swim in Seminal vesicle Ductus deferens Testis Urinary bladder Prostate gland Bulbourethral gland Seminal vesicles supply fructose, prostaglandins for muscle contraction, & fibrinogen Prostate gland secretes alkaline fluid and clotting enzymes Bulbourethral glands add mucus for lubrication 3
Signals for erection and ejaculation Arousal Pudenal nerves carry signals from penis to lower spinal cord & brain Spinal reflex and brain send PNS signals to penile arterioles Arousal causes muscle contractions that incr. physical stimulation positive feedback Ejaculation Dramatic shift to SNS contractions move semen to urethra and out How does Viagra work? Viagra blocks PDE5, a enzyme that breaks down a local signal that causes dilation in response to NO There are many PDE s PDE5 is mainly in the penis 4
Female reproductive anatomy Ovaries produce estrogen, progesterone, and are site of oogenesis Estrogen: maintenance of the female tracts, 2 o sex characteristics, ova maturation and release Oogenesis overview Oogonia divide mitotically Meiosis I produces a primary oocyte (diploid), surrounded by follicle cells These oocytes develop into secondary oocytes on a cyclical basis Ovarian cycle Follicular phase - first half of cycle when follicles mature and are ovulated Luteal phase - second half of cycle when uterus is prepared for implantation Follicular Luteal 5
Looking within the ovary follicular phase Primary follicle Follicle cells oocyte FSH and LH levels are increasing Looking within the ovary follicular phase Follicle cells secrete estrogen Dividing follicular cells Primary oocyte Thecal cells Looking within the ovary follicular phase antrum Antrum collects fluid with estrogen Estrogen inhibits FSH and LH, so FSH 6
Low to moderate levels of estrogen Late follicular phase Follicle (thecal) cells Antrum primary oocyte Follicle (granulosa) cells High estrogen levels promote LH secretion w/ positive feedback loop High levels of estrogen 7
Late follicular phase Mature follicle Antrum Oocyte finishes meiosis I it now is a 2 o oocyte Pop! Ovulation! secondary oocyte Egg is flushed out Follicle remains Student questions How do fraternal vs. identical twins occur? Why are male and female gametes produced in different ways? 8
Luteal phase corpus luteum Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen Estrogen and progesterone Estrogen initiates preparation of endo- and myometrium, prime uterus for progesterone (follicular phase) Progesterone endometrium vascularization, glycogen, decrease contractions (luteal phase) Progesterone inhibits LH and FSH (this is how birth control pills work) Changes in endometrium If the corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone drops and menstruation occurs Degenerating corpus luteum 9
Student questions Why cramping during periods? What is the physiology of menstruation? Why do birth control pills effect periods? Often estrogen levels are lower w BCP But if there are sperm around Fertilization normally occurs within a day of ovulation Contractions of the myometrium help some sperm reach the oviduct acrosome in action 10
Embryo forms before reaching the uterus Blastocyst Cleavage Embryo Fertilization Trophoblast Implants the embryo Ovulation Implantation Settling into the uterus Blastocyst secretes chorionic gonadotropin Endometrium has glycogen, and becomes more vascularized from progesterone 40% of blastocysts never implant Settling into the uterus Trophoblast enzymes digest proteins of the endometrium. This carves a hole for implantation. Endometrium Endometrium Trophoblast Embryo Embryo 11
Embryo Eventually forms chorion Placenta development Placenta = chorion from embryo and uterine lining from mother. These tissues interlock like fingers Projections of chorion have capillaries to form placental villi. They extend into the mother s blood. Placenta development Gasses, wastes, nutrients diffuse bw capillaries of mother and fetus Drugs, pollutants, chemicals also diffuse mother s blood Amniotic sac Placental villus Chorion 12
Question: What does alcohol do to cause fetal alcohol syndrome? How does drug use during pregnancy affect a fetus? Human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) Estrogen Progesterone Fertilization Delivery Getting ready for birth... Relaxin from placenta softens the cervix and pelvis Uterus has mild contractions. Baby s head is down in pelvis High levels of estrogen make the uterus more sensitive to oxytocin. Progesterone levels drop 13
Positive feedback with oxytocin Stretching the cervix causes more oxytocin to be released Oxytocin induces stronger contractions Lactation 14