Reproductive+Physiology

=Reproductive Physiology=

Sexual Reproduction: A particular gene on the Y chromosome induces teh embryonic gonads to become testes. Females lack a Y chromosome, and the absence of this gene causes the development of ovaries. The embryonic testes secrete testosterone, which induces the development of male accessory sex organs and external genitalia. The absence of testes in a female embryo causes the development of the female accessory sex organs.

http://www.tqnyc.org/2006/NYC063547//images/malereproductivesystem.jpg



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Question:

The first day of menstruation is the first day of the menstrual cycle. At this point, the ovaries are in the follicular stage until the day of ovulation (around day 14). This is when follicles are becoming secondary follicles due to FSH secretion, which also causes increased estradiol levels. Towards the end of this phase, FSH and estradiol levels stimulate the production of LH receptors that are necessary for the next phase. The estradiol increase stimulates the release of GnRH, causing a increase in LH production. This is a positive feedback loop and will cause a peek that will lead to ovulation, which is the rupturing of the follicle, causing the release and relocation of the secondary oocyte into the uterine tubes for fertilization. The empty follicle then becomes the corpus luteum, which will release estradiol and progesterone, causing the reduction in FSH and LH secretion. This phase after ovulation is known as the luteal phase. Near the end of this phase, estradiol and progesterone levels will taper off, causing the necrosis and shedding of the stratum functional which is what is discharged during the menses. The entire cycle is about 28 days.

The male accessory sex organs include the penis, testes, scrotum, prostate, urethra, epididymus, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and ejaculatory duct.

Female reproductive system include 2 ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, uterus, labia minora, labia majora. The uterus consists of three layers. The outer layer of connective tissue is the perimetrium, the middle layer of smooth muslce is the myometrium and the inner layer is the endometrium.

Personal Application: This chapter just reminds us of how truly amazing the human body is. This is important for future of knowledge of understanding my own body and maybe assists someone else in passing information on to my patients.