The Reproductive Systems

1. The Reproductive Systems The system of organs involved in producing offspring

2. Male Reproductive System

3. Functions of the Male Reproductive System • Production and storage of sperm • Sperm – the male reproductive cells • Transfer of sperm to female’s body during sexual intercourse • Production of testosterone • Initiates physical changes that signal maturity • Controls the production of sperm

4. Sperm • Contain genetic information • Responsible for fertilizing the egg • Only one sperm out of 300 to 400 million fertilize the egg • Sperm swim at a rate of 1 to 4 mm per minute • How many millimeters would the sperm move in an hour? • 60 to 240 mm

5. External Male Reproductive Organs • Testes (testicles) • Two small glands that produce sperm and make testosterone • Size of a robin’s egg • Produce several hundred million sperm each day • Scrotum • An external skin sac • House the testes • Small muscles in the scrotum move the testes closer or farther from the body – help regulate temperature of sperm – keep the temperature slightly below normal body temperature • Tight clothing can interfere with sperm production

6. External Male Reproductive Organs • Penis • A tube-shaped organ that extends from the trunk of the body just above the testes • Made of spongy tissue that contains many blood vessels • Foreskin • A covering of thin loose skin over the tip of the penis • Circumcision – removal of the foreskin • Urethra • The passageway though which both semen and urine leave the body

7. External Male Reproductive Organs • Penis • Stimulation causes increased blood flow which leads to erection • Ejaculation – occurs when sperm and semen are released from the penis after sexual excitement • Nocturnal emissions – ejaculations that occur when sperm is released during sleep • Normal functions – releases the build up pressure as sperm begin to be produced at puberty • Fertilization – the joining of a male sperm cell and a female egg cell • Can result if ejaculation occurs during intercourse

8. Internal Male Reproductive Organs • Epididymis • Located at outer surface of each testes • Tightly coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored • Vas Deferens • Connects epididymis to urethra • a long tube where sperm mix with fluids made by three accessory reproductive organs

9. Internal Male Reproductive Organs • Seminal Vesicle • Produce thick secretions that nourish the sperm and help sperm move easier • Prostate Gland • Encircles the urethra • Approximately the size of an almond • Secretes a thin, milky fluid that protects the sperm from acid in the female reproductive system • Cowper’s Glands • Secretes a clear fluid that protects the sperm from acid in the male urethra

11. The Path of Sperm • Made in the Testes • Move to the Epididymis to be stored and mature • Travel through the Vas Deferenswhere it mixes with semen • Semen is made in Seminal Vesicle, Prostate Gland, and Cowper’s Gland • Through the Urethra • Exits the tip of the Penis

12. Care of the Male Reproductive System • Get regular checkups • Every 12-18 months • Bathe regularly • Wear protective equipment • Perform regular self-examinations • monthly • Practice abstinence

13. Problems of the Male Reproductive System • Inguinal Hernia • Separation of tissue that allows part of the intestine to push into the abdominal wall near the top of the scrotum • Caused by straining abdominal muscles or lifting heavy objects • Symptoms: lump in the groin, pain in the groin, partial or complete blockage of the intestine • Surgery is usually needed to repair the opening

14. Problems of the Male Reproductive System • Sterility • The inability to reproduce • Results from • Too little sperm (less than 20 million per milliliter of seminal fluid) • Poor quality of sperm • Causes • Environmental hazards • Hormonal imbalance • Steroids • Disease • Drugs

15. Problems of the Male Reproductive System • Testicular Cancer • Occurs most often in males between the ages of 14-40 • Factors that increase your risk • Undescended testicle, abnormal testicular development, family history of testicular cancer • Monthly self-exam • Seek health care if you notice any warning signs • Unusual lump, swelling, discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum

16. Problems of the Male Reproductive Organs • Problems of the Prostate • Enlarged prostate • Presses against the urethra and causes frequent urination • Prostate cancer • Screening is usually performed during regular medical checkups for men over 50

17. Female Reproductive System

18. Functions of the Female Reproductive System • Produces female sex hormones • Stores ova • Ova (eggs) – female reproductive cells • Uterus nourishes and protects the fertilized ovum from conception until birth

19. Female Reproductive Organs • Ovaries • The female sex glands that store the ova and produce female sex hormones • Size of a robin’s egg • At birth contains all eggs (more than 400,000) • Ovum = .135 mm (size of a very sharp pencil) • One ovum matures each month beginning at puberty • Ovulation • The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month • Signaled by hormones

20. Female Reproductive Organs • Fallopian tubes • A pair of tubes with fingerlike projections that draw in the ovum • About 4 inches long and has a diameter of approximately two strands of hair. • Cilia (tiny hair-like structures) work along with muscular contractions to move the ovum through the tubes • This is where fertilization occurs!!!

21. Female Reproductive Organs • Uterus • A hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ inside a female’s body • Provides a place to support a developing human • Muscular cavity the size of a fist • Estrogen causes lining to thicken • Cervix = where the uterus meets the vagina at its lower end

22. Female Reproductive Organs • Vagina • Birth Canal • Connects the outside of the body to the uterus and receives sperm during reproduction • Muscular elastic tube • Normally 3-5 inches long • Urethra – above and separate from the Vagina • carries urine from the bladderto the outside of the body

24. Fertilization • An ovum is released from an ovary • Ovum travels through the fallopian tube • Sperm cell unites with egg here • Fertilized egg = zygote • Zygote leaves the fallopian tubes and attaches itself to the uterine wall • Developing fetus will stay in uterus until birth

25. Menstrual Cycle • Days 1-13 • A new egg is maturing inside the ovary • Day 14 • The mature egg is released into one of the fallopian tubes • Day 15-20 • The egg travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus • Days 21-28 • After seven days, if the egg is not fertilized, menstruation begins

26. Menstruation • Every month the uterus prepares for possible pregnancy • Endometrium – tissue that lines the uterus – thickens • If no fertilization occurs – endometrium breaks down in to blood, tissue, and fluids • Menstruation – the shedding of the uterine lining • Lasts on average 5 to 7 days • Endocrine hormones control the cycle • Can be affected by poor nutrition, stress and illness

27. Care of the Female Reproductive System • Bathe regularly • Practice abstinence • Breast Self-Exam

28. Problems of the Female Reproductive System • Menstrual cramps • Sometimes occur at the beginning of a menstrual period • Light exercise and applying a heat pad may reduce symptoms • Medication for pain relief may be used

29. Problems of the Female Reproductive System • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) • A disorder caused by hormonal changes • Symptoms • Nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, bloating, weight gain, depression, mood swings, and fatigue • Regular physical activity and good nutrition may reduce severity of symptoms

30. Problems of the Female Reproductive System • Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) • Bacterial infection that affects the immune system and the liver – can be fatal • To reduce risk use tampons with the lowest possible absorbency and change tampons often • Warning signs • Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a sunburn-like rash red eyes, dizziness, and muscle aches

31. Problems Related to Infertility • Endometriosis • Painful, chronic disease • Occurs when tissue that lines the uterus migrates and grows in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, or the lining of the pelvic cavity • Treatments • Medications, hormone therapy, and surgery

32. Problems Related to Infertility • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) • Infection of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding areas of the pelvis • Caused by STDs • STDs • Most common causes of infertility

33. Other Female Reproductive Disorders • Vaginitis • Most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age • Symptoms • Discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning • Blocked fallopian tubes • Leading cause of infertility • Causes • PID, abdominal surgery, STDs, or endometriosis

34. Other Female Reproductive Disorder • Ovarian cysts • Fluid-filled sacs on the ovary • Small cysts usually disappear on their own • Large cysts may require surgery • Cysts may rupture and cause intense pain • Cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers • STDs are common causes of these cancers • Early detection is key! • Breast Self-Exam