The Reproductive Glands and Hormones Gonads are ovaries in women and testes in men. −Testes produce testosterone. −Major female hormones Estrogen Progesterone.

The Reproductive Glands and Hormones

• Gonads are ovaries in women and testes in men.− Testes produce testosterone.− Major female hormones

• Estrogen• Progesterone• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

The Genital System: Anatomy and Physiology

• Controls reproductive processes − Gametes are sex cells (haploid cells).

• Carry genetic instructions− Zygote is the first fertilized cell (diploid cells)

• Carry two of each of the 23 chromosomes

• Physical traits are determined by dominant and recessive alleles.

Male Reproductive System and Organs

• Primary sex organs consist of two testes− Sperm cells and sex hormones are formed.



• Testes− Spermatogenic cells forms sperm cells. − Interstitial cells produce sex hormones.− Sustentacular (Sertoli) cells regulate sperm cells.− Sperm cells collect in seminiferous tubule, pass to

epididymis, and then mature.


• Spermatogenesis− During embryonic development, spermatogonia

undergo mitosis, creating two cells.• One becomes the primary spermatocyte, which

reproduces during puberty via meiosis.



• Male internal accessory organs include:− Two epididymides− Two vasa deferentia− Two ejaculatory ducts− Urethra− Two seminal vesicles− Prostate gland− Two bulbourethral glands


• Male external reproductive organs include:− Scrotum− Penis

• Root• Body (shaft)• Glans


• Male sex hormones− Androgens are mostly produced by testicular

interstitial cells.− Testosterone is the most important androgen.

• Enlarges testes and accessory reproductive organs• Develops the male secondary sex characteristics

Female Reproductive System and Organs

• Produce and maintain egg cells (oocytes)• Principal organs include ovaries, fallopian

tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia


• Ovaries− Perform three main functions:

• Production of immature female gametes• Secretion of female sex hormones• Secretion of inhibin


• Ovaries− Oogenesis is the process of egg cell formation.

• Ovulation is the process of the primary oocyte undergoing oogenesis.



• Female internal accessory organs− Fallopian tubes− Uterus

• Uterine wall has three layers (endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium)

• Supported by suspensory ligaments− Vagina

• Three layers (inner mucosal layer, middle muscular layer, outer fibrous layer)


• Female external reproductive organs− Surround the

openings of the urethra and vagina

− Compose the vulva


• Female sex hormones − Estrogens

• Stimulate enlargement of accessory sex organs• Maintain female secondary characteristics

− Progesterone• Promotes uterine changes during monthly cycle• Affects mammary glands• Helps regulate gonadotropin secretion


• Female sex hormones − Concentrations of androgen at puberty produce

different changes.• First reproductive cycle is called menarche


The Reproductive Glands and Hormones Gonads are ovaries in women and testes in men. −Testes produce testosterone. −Major female hormones Estrogen Progesterone.

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