BIO 161 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Male Reproductive System, Bulbourethral Gland, Miscarriage
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REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Functions:
- Unlike other systems, the reproductive system is very different in
males and females
- Produces gametes: cells that combine to form new individual
o New individual – DNA from both parents
Primary reproductive organs
- Gonads (testes, ovaries)
o Produce reproductive cells = gametes (sperm, ova)
o Secrete sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
Accessory reproductive organs
- Dual systems that sperm, ova travel through
- Glands lining the ducts
- Add secretions to semen
o Seminal vesicles – add nutrients and fluid
o Prostate gland – basic secretion to activate sperm, decresases
acidity of female tract
o Bulbourethral gland – mucus; basic solution (pH = 7.5);
sugar-fructose = energy for swimming
Male reproductive system
- Testes: produce sperm and sex hormones
o Composed of seminiferous tubules where sperm are being
produced
- Epididymis: ducts where sperm mature and some of the sperm are
stored
- Vas deferens: conduct and store sperm; carries sperm to urethra
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- Seminal vesicles: contribute nutrients and fluid to semen
- Prostate gland: contributes fluid to semen
- Bulbourethral gland: conducts sperm
- Penis: organ of sexual intercourse
Where are sperm made?
- Sperm are made in the seminiferous tubules
o Sertoli cells: support and regulate spermatogenesis
(production)
Spermatogenesis
- Sperm are made in the seminiferous tubules
- Spermatogenesis proceeds from outer wall of tubule to lumen
-
Sperm anatomy
3 parts
- Regulation of reproduction begins with the brain
- Hypothalamus
o Secretes hormone 1
▪ gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH)
• controls release of other hormones
- Anterior pituitary gland
o Secretes hormone 2
▪ Luteinizing hormone (LH)
• Stimulates production of testosterone in testes
▪ Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
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Document Summary
Unlike other systems, the reproductive system is very different in males and females. Produces gametes: cells that combine to form new individual: new individual dna from both parents. Gonads (testes, ovaries: produce reproductive cells = gametes (sperm, ova, secrete sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone) Dual systems that sperm, ova travel through. Testes: produce sperm and sex hormones: composed of seminiferous tubules where sperm are being produced. Epididymis: ducts where sperm mature and some of the sperm are stored. Vas deferens: conduct and store sperm; carries sperm to urethra. Seminal vesicles: contribute nutrients and fluid to semen. Sperm are made in the seminiferous tubules: sertoli cells: support and regulate spermatogenesis (production) Sperm are made in the seminiferous tubules. Spermatogenesis proceeds from outer wall of tubule to lumen. Regulation of reproduction begins with the brain. Hypothalamus: secretes hormone 1, gonadotropin- releasing hormone (gnrh, controls release of other hormones.
