Functions of the Female Reproductive System

• Production of gametes

• Production of female sex hormones

• Embryo/fetus

Ovarian Function and SupportOvarian arteryOvarian veinSuspensoryligament

Infundibulum

Fimbriae

Ovary

Ureter

Cervix

Vagina

Ovarian ligament

Uterine tube

Uterus

Broad ligament

External os

Ovarian SupportPosterior

Uterine tube

Tunica albuginea

CortexMedulla

AnteriorGerminal epitheliumHilum

Mesovarium

Mesosalpinx

Ovarian Blood Supply

Germinal Epithelium

Tunica albuginea

Ovarian Surface

Ovarian Cortex and Medulla

Ovarian Follicles• Developing oocyte surrounded by one or

more layers of supporting cells.

• Types:– Primordial

– Primary

– Secondary

– Graafian.

Primary Follicles

Secondary Follicles

Graafian Follicle

Uterine Tubes• Initial portion of duct system.• Extends btwn uterus & ovary• Supported by mesosalpinx• Receives ovulated oocyte

Uterus• Receives, retains,

nourishes and expels

• Anterior to rectum

• Posterosuperior to the urinary bladder

Fundus

Uterus – 3 Main Regions

Body

Cervix

Anteverted vs. Retroverted Uterus

Uterine cavity

Internal osCervical canal External os

Uterus Ligament Support

Pelvic and Urogenital Diaphragm

– Perimetrium– Myometrium– Endometrium.

Layers of the Uterine Wall

Layers of the Endometrium

• Stratum functionalis – Superficial– Changes in response to:– Shed during…

• Stratum basalis – Thinner and deeper – Unresponsive– Forms a new…

Epithelium

Uterineglands

Functionallayer

Endometrium

Basallayer

Myometrium

Lumenof uterus

LM 4

5x

Vagina• Extends from cervix

to vestibule

• Receives penis

• Provides exit for

menses & babies

• Hymen

• Vaginal fornices

Nonkeratinizedstratifiedsquamousepithelium

Mucosa

Laminapropria

Muscularis

• Vulva:• Mons pubis

• Labia majora

• Labia minora

• Vestibule

• Clitoris.

External Genitalia

Pubic symphysis

Labia minoraClitoris

Labia majora

Anus Body of clitoris, containing corpora cavernosa

Clitoris (glans)Crus of clitoris

Urethral orifice

Vaginal orificeGreatervestibulargland

Fourchette

Bulb ofvestibule

Inferior ramus of pubis

Mammary Glands

• Milk production.

• 15-25 lobes.

• Suspensory ligament of the breast.

Mammary Glands

• Alveoli.

• Lactiferous ducts.

• Lactiferous sinus.

Oogenesis

Oogonium

Mitosis

Lots of oogonia

In the fetus.

46 46

Oogonium

Replicates its DNA

Still in the fetus.

Primary Oocyte

At this point, the primary oocyte would be part of a primordial follicle

46 46

Still in the fetus.

Primary Oocyte

Begins the first division of meiosis but gets BLOCKED

A primary oocyte will remain stuck in meiosis I unless/until it receives the appropriate hormonal signal during the menstrual cycle.

46

Primary Oocyte

In response to LH at the midpoint of each menstrual cycle, a single primary oocyte completes its first division.

The resulting secondary oocyte is ovulated.

Secondary Oocyte

First polar body

46

23

23

Secondary Oocyte

IF AND ONLY IF it is fertilized by a sperm, it will undergo the second division of meiosis.

Ovum – containing both the male and female pronuclei

Second polar body

23

2323

23

23

The pronuclei fuse togetherZygote with a diploid nucleus23

46

23

Ovum – containing both the male and female pronuclei

Ovarian Cycle (28days)

Follicular Phase (days 1-14)

Luteal Phase (days 14-28)

Ant. Pituitary releases FSH and LH

Follicular Phase Part 1 – Days 1-7

Hypothalamus releases GnRH

Follicle growth

Growing follicles secrete estrogen

Estrogen prepares the uterus for

pregnancy

Estrogen causes the anterior

pituitary to store FSH and LH

FSH

LH

Progesterone

Estrogens

Follicular Phase Days 7-14 Estrogen levels continue to rise

FSH levels and LH levels continue to fall

Follicle growth continues

Estrogen levels continue to rise

FSH levels and LH levels continue to fall

On average, only one follicle successfully finishes maturation and becomes graafian

FSH

LH

Progesterone

Estrogens

Ovulation – Day 14

Estrogen levels reach threshold

Ant. pituitary releases stored FSH & LH

Surge in plasma LH causes:

Primary oocyte to complete meiosis I

Secondary oocyte to be ovulated

Remainder of graafian follicle to be

transformed into corpus luteum

FSH

LH

Progesterone

Estrogens

Luteal Phase Part 1 – Days 14-24

Corpus luteum secretes progesterone

Plasma progesterone levels rise

Uterine lining becomes more

vascular and more glandular

Progesterone inhibits release of LH and FSH from anterior pituitary

Prevents further follicular development

or ovulation

FSH

LH

Progesterone

Estrogens

Luteal Phase Part 2 – Days 24-28If pregnancy does not occur

Progesterone levels rise higher and

higher

Plasma LH levels fall lower

and lower

When LH levels reach threshold, corpus luteum begins to degenerate

Corpus luteum dies and becomes a mass of whitish scar

tissue (corpus albicans)

W/o a corpus luteum, progesterone levels fall

Once progesterone levels have fallen:

LH and FSH begin to be released from anterior

pituitary

Uterine lining will begin shed

Another cycle will begin

What if pregnancy does occur?

Developing placenta

produces HCG

HCG binds to the corpus luteum and keeps it alive

(for a few months, until the placenta is able to take

over)

Progesterone levels stay high

Uterine lining stays intactPreventing further follicular development or ovulation.

Uterine Cycle

• Changes in the uterine lining caused by the changing levels of ovarian hormones

• 3 phases– Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5)

– Proliferative Phase (Days 6-14)

– Secretory Phase (Days 14-28)

Uterine Cycle – menstrual phase• Days 1-5

• Plasma progesterone levels plummet. Why?

• Stratum functionalis is shed. Detached blood and tissue sloughs out of the vagina

Uterine Cycle – proliferative phase

• Days 6-14

• Plasma estrogen levels are…

• Stratum functionalis of the endometrium gets…

• What’s happening to cervical mucus?

Uterine Cycle – secretory phase

• Days 14-28

• Plasma progesterone levels are…

• Stratum functionalis of the endometrium gets…

• What’s happening to cervical mucus?

Extrauterine Effects of Ovarian Hormones

• Estrogen– Promotes bone lengthening

and epiphyseal plate closure

– Inhibits bone resorption

– Promotes skin hydration

– Stimulates female pattern of fat deposit and hair growth

– ↑ retention of sodium and water

– Raises HDL cholesterol levels and reduces LDL cholesterol levels

• Progesterone– Increases body

temperature

– Promotes urination

Other Important Terms & Events• Puberty – period of life in which the reproductive organs

become adult size and functional

• Menarche – 1st menstrual period

• Menses – normal flow of blood & tissue during menstruation

• Amenorrhea – abnormal cessation of menstruation

• Menopause – normal cessation of menstrual function that usually occurs in the 5th or 6th decade