FHS

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

   Source: anterior pituitary

   Target: sertoli cells which concentrate testosterone (males)

              ovaries, follicles (females)

Luteinizing Hormone

source: anterior pituitary

target: leydig/interstitial cells which secrete testosterone (males)

          ovaries (females)

sperm production, which begins in puberty and continues throughout life. A man makes millions of sperm every day.  This process requires testosterone

last stage of sperm development in which excess cytoplasm is sloughed off and what remains is compacted into three regions of the mature sperm: head, midpiece, and tail

head, midpiece, tail

acrosome: located in the head of the sperm; pack of enzymes that helps digest into egg

source: interstitial/leydig cells, low levels from ovaries

target: embryonic - masculinization of sex organs

post-puberty - secondary sex characteristics, brain

stimulated by FSH

concentrates testosterone

stimulated by LH

secrete testosterone

where sperm production occurs

cells, blood, blood vessels, leydig/interstitial cells which secrete testosterone

coiled tube (about 6m); first part of the duct system in male reproductive system; storage site for immature sperm that enter from the testes

1. prostatic: surrounded by prostate gland

2. membranous: spanning distance from prostatic urethra to penis

3. spongy/penile: running within the length of the penis

carries both urine and sperm to body's exterior, but never at the same time

runs upward from epididymus over the bladder and widens into the apumlla which empties into the ejaculatory duct which passes through the prostate gland to merge with the urethra

main purpose is to propel sperm from their storage sites (epididymus and distal part of vas ductus deferens) into the urethra

encircles upper part of urethra below bladder; secretes milky fluid that helps activate sperm

located at base of bladder

produce about 60% of seminal fluid, which is rich in fructose, vitamin C, prostaglandins and other substances that nourish and activate sperm

duct of each seminal vesicle joins the vas/ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct

bulbourethral gland

pea-sizzed glands inferior to the prostate

produce thick, clear mucous that drains into penile urethra and cleanses it of traces of acidic urine and acts as lubricant during intercourse

process of formation of the ova (egg) in the female reproductive system

immature ovum/egg cell

structure in an ovary consisting of a developing egg surrounded by follicle cells

after ovulation, the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which eventually degenerates

uterus

"womb"

hollow organ that functions to receive, retain, and nourish a fertilized egg

consists of body, fundus, and cervix

inner layer or mucosa of the uterine wall

if fertilization occurs the embryo burrows into the endometrium in a process called implantation

bulky middle layer of the uterus, composed of interlacing bundles of smooth muscle

contracts rhythmically during delivery to force the baby out of the mother's body

receive ovulated oocyte and provide site where fertilization can occur

female sex organ in which ova (eggs) are produced

event by which a developing egg ejected from the ovary

inferior necklike portion of the uterus leading to the vagina

thin-walled tube 8 to 10cm long;

lies between the bladder and rectum;

often called the birth canal

ovarian cycle

consists of the follicular and luteal phases, separated by ovulation

uterine cycle

menstrual phase: superficial layer of endometrial lining is sloughed off

prolifative phase: stimulated by rising estrogen levels, the endometrium becomes thick and well-vascularized again

secretory phase: rising levels of progesterone produced by the corpus luteum increase blood supply even more to the endometrium; also causes endometrial glands to increase in size and secrete nutrients, which will sustain a developing embryo, into the uterine cavity

estrogen

source: ovaries, fat tissue, corpus luteum

target: positive feedback on anterior pituitary; prepare uterus for embryo; secondary sex characteristics

progesterone

source: corpus luteum

negative feedback on anterior pituitary; prepare uterus for embryo