Human Sex and Reproduction Report

This report explores the human reproductive system, covering the structure and function of male and female reproductive organs, the processes of meiosis, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and fertilization, and various methods of contraception. It also examines the controversial issue of designer babies, discussing the ethical and social implications of genetic engineering in human reproduction.

Human Sex
and
Reproduction

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1a) Draw and embed 2 large diagrams showing the male and female reproductive systems. .1
1.1b) Structure and function of the human male and female reproductive systems...................3
2.1 Chronology of the human female reproductive cycle..........................................................3
3.1a) Use of an annotated image, the process of meiosis............................................................4
3.1b) Compare and contrast the processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis...........................5
3.2a) Process of fertilisation within the human body..................................................................6
3.2b) Two reasons for infertility in males and two reasons for infertility in females.................6
3.3c) Process of In Vitro Fertilisation.........................................................................................6
4.1a) Three separate methods of contraception...........................................................................7
4.2b) How hormones are commonly used within the human body as a contraceptive measure.7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
5.1 Controversial reproduction issue...........................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Human reproduction refers to any form of sexual reproduction which results into
fertilisation involving sexual intercourse between man and woman. It includes to generate new
progeny similar as parents consisting several traits inherited from them. However, it involves
healthy reproductive systems of male and female to gain fertilised zygote through conceiving
properly due proper level of required hormones (Browner and Withers, 2015). The present report
will focus on female and male reproductive along with their structure as well as function. It will
also include process of fertilisation and separate contraceptive methods as well as hormones used
as contraceptive measures. The controversial reproduction issues about a baby genetically
engineered in vitro for specially selected traits is given below.
TASK 1
1.1a) Draw and embed 2 large diagrams showing the male and female reproductive systems
Female reproductive system -
1

(Source: Female Reproductive System, 2017)
Male reproductive system -
2
Illustration 1: Female Reproductive System

(Source: Male reproductive system, 2018)
1.1b) Structure and function of the human male and female reproductive systems
Female reproductive system – The structure of female reproductive system includes
several organs such as labia- minora, labia- majora, Bartholin's gland, clitoris, vagina, uterus,
ovaries and fallopian tubes. It has function to regulate overall reproductive activities including
menstrual cycle with follicular stage, ovulatory stage and luteal stage. Moreover, oogenesis,
ovulation, conception, fertilisation and stages of pregnancy are major functions of female
reproductive system. Fertilisation takes place in ampullary- isthmic region of fallopian tube and
then it will get implanted to inner wall of uterus which leads to pregnancy (Wood, 2017).
Male reproductive system – The structure of male reproductive system includes various
organs such as penis, scrotum, testes, rete testis, vasa efferentia, epidydimis, vas deferens,
ejaculatory ducts, urethra, seminal vesicles, prostrate gland and Bulbourethral glands. It has
several functions spermatogenesis, transport of sperm and secrete male sex hormones.
2.1 Chronology of the human female reproductive cycle
The chronology refers to arrangement of events or dates in the order in which they occur.
It involves the chronology of female reproductive system including various functions and stages
takes place in the same. However, there are major 4 hormones which have an important role in
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Illustration 2: Male reproductive system

ovulation and pregnancy such as Follicle Stimulation Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone
(LH), Estrogen and Progesterone. Moreover, female reproductive hormones are responsible for
menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Initially, Progesterone is released by ruptured follicle which becomes corpus luteum in absence
of pregnancy and make inner lining of uterus for menstruation. Secondly, Follicle Stimulating
hormone is helps to make follicle ready for ovulation and Luteinising hormone is responsible to
make egg release from the ovary i.e. ovulation. Thirdly, Estrogen rising its levels which facilitate
to build up uterine lining i.e. endometrium for implantation of zygote which leads to pregnancy
(Greely, 2016).
3.1a) Use of an annotated image, the process of meiosis
Process of meiosis refers to a kind of cell division that reduce chromosome number by
half by creating four haploid cells in which each genetically distinct from parent cell. The
formation of male and female gamete including their procedures named as spermatogenesis and
oogenesis involves meiotic division while forming the same. The process of meiosis includes its
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two stages such as meiosis 1 and meiosis 2 including several sub- stages like prophase,
metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
(Source: Meiosis, 2015)
3.1b) Compare and contrast the processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Comparison – The spermatogenesis and oogenesis are the process of formation of male
and female gamete which are essential for reproduction. Spematoegensis involves
spermatogonium to form sperms whereas oogenesis consist oogonium development for making
ovum. However, number of spermatids results into same number of spermatozoa but egg cell
will generated with a tiny polar body (Lancaster, 2017).
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Illustration 3: Meiosis

Contrast – The spermatogenesis and oognesis consists meiotic division for making
required gametes like ovum and spermatozoa. Both of these procedures needs proper levels of
sex hormones for development of male and female gamete respectively.
3.2a) Process of fertilisation within the human body
The fertilisation refers to process of fusion of male and female gamete which results into
fertilised egg i.e. zygote for initiating prenatal development. Fertilised zygote becomes an
embryo and get implanted to the inner wall of uterus i.e. endometrium. However, a human
fertilisation begins from menstrual cycle in females and their body become ready for fertilisation.
The egg cell get released from ovary which is known as ovulation which takes place in fallopian
tube. Moreover, if ovum get fused with spermatozoa which takes place in ampullary isthmic
region of fallopian tube then it will become fertilised zygote and further division will results into
embryo. The developing embryo will get implanted on inner wall of uterus known as
endometrium wall and the process called as implantation which leads to pregnancy.
3.2b) Two reasons for infertility in males and two reasons for infertility in females
The reasons of infertility in males includes hormone imbalance or blockage of sperms,
blocked vas deferens, enlarged vein in testicles, genetics defects and other health problems like
chlamydia, gonorrhoea, mumps or HIV. In addition to this, the reasons for female infertility
involves polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency, uterine fibroids and
Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease (Daly and Wilson, 2017).
3.3c) Process of In Vitro Fertilisation
The in vitro fertilisation can be described as a medical process in which an egg is
fertilised by sperm in a test tube or elsewhere outside the body. It includes the criteria of
thoroughly monitoring and stimulating a woman's ovulatory process for removing ova and
letting them fertilise sperm in liquid in as laboratory. Moreover, it involves major steps such as
ovulation induction, Egg retrieval, fertilisation and embryo transfer & implantation.
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(Source: Stages of IVF, 2018)
4.1a) Three separate methods of contraception
Three separate methods of contraception -
 It involves intra uterine devices and use of condoms which are effective and reversible
 It include surgical methods i.e. tubectomy in females and vasectomy in males which are
permanent.
 It involves emergency contraceptive pills and other medicines which are 98 % effective
but have side effects (Simon, 2017).
4.2b) How hormones are commonly used within the human body as a contraceptive measure
The regulation of hormone level is helpful in fertilisation and these can be modified for
preventing fertilisation and ovulation in human body prevent pregnancy. It includes the
contraceptive measure in which level of hormones can be increased or decreased in order to
preventing process of ovulation and fertilisation. However, it includes Estrogen and progesterone
are female sex hormones whose combination will help to prevent ovulation. Moreover, if
ovulation can be prevented then fertilisation will automatically prevented due to absence of
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Illustration 4: Stages of IVF

ovum in fallopian tube and sperm cells have only life span around 2-3 days so that after that they
get destroyed.
TASK 2
5.1 Controversial reproduction issue
The designer baby can be described as a baby which is genetically engineered in vitro for
specially selected traits which vary from lowered disease risk to gender selection respectively.
The technique of in vitro fertilisation is helpful to those people who are not bale to conceive or
have baby ion a natural manner. However, this procedure provide support to such couples for
having baby with the help of medical processes in which male and female gametes can be
collected properly and then fuse them in test tube or outside the body. Although, it is ethically
correct to have babies with the help of in vitro fertilisation and using the surrogate mothers to
gain the desired happiness in their lives. At the other hand, people conduct misuse of this
techniques ad design their own baby with selected traits which is not ethically and socially
correct which becomes a huge issue. It involves that people select several traits by their likes and
dislikes for bay genetically engineered including lower risk of severe disease to changing the
gender as well. There are various kinds of problems raised because people demands for their
specific characters in their kids which are born from the method of in vitro fertilisation (Tiefer,
2018).
There are various kinds of ethical values and norms relevant to test tube baby which are
required to be followed by people who are going to adopt this techniques for having baby. It
includes the criteria of following overall relevant laws and rules properly while conducting
procedure of test tube baby formation. It involves the legislation of United Kingdom to remain
identity of donors confidential and there is a limits the number of embryos allowed to be
transferred for IVF treatment to two embryos and three in case while patient is over 40 years old.
In addition to this, Mixing eggs, sperm or embryos for more than one person is currently
forbidden in the United Kingdom. There are various kinds countries including UK which have
decided to prohibit selection of gender while adopting the techniques of in vitro fertilisation. It is
necessary for peopled living in country are required to properly follow desired legal and ethical
norms.
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At the other hand, it includes that performing of a treatment procedure or the use of
sperm, eggs or embryos with the purpose of producing, or attempting to produce, a child of a
particular sex is illegal unless it is done to avoid the risk of genetic transmission of sex-linked
diseases. However, it has been analysed that many people want to avoid the genetic severe health
issues in their next generation due to which demands for selected traits from doctors. Moreover,
it also involves that donated sperms has to be stored for six months before it can be utilised in
treatment in order to screen the donor transmitted infections. Meanwhile, it is required to follow
Human Fertilisation & Embryo Authorisation and the 1990 Act and along with licensing, the
Human Fertilisation & Embryo Authorisation also fulfil several responsibilities which should be
strictly obeyed by doctors and specialists.
There are various kinds of ethics such as maintain confidentiality about couple and
surrogate mothers along with follow required legal rules & regulations in appropriate manner. It
is controversial issue that people want to design their baby according to their liked traits which
may vary from lowered risk of various disease to gender selection of babies. In many of
countries, gender selection is a legal offence which should be strictly prohibited as per legislation
of the nation. It is not correct ethically to select traits for baby will born through the help of
medical techniques known as in vitro fertilisation. Initially, publish code of practice to guide
centres about implementing the act and maintain confidentiality about donor, recipients as well
as treatments. However, it includes advice and information about licensed centres as well as
couple seeking fertility treatment. The controversial issues of designing baby may create various
social issues including about gender of the child which impacts on population ratio of males and
females that is not good for society. Moreover, it is essential for doctors to obey overall ethical
and legal rules strictly as they have manor role to reduce the risk of arising controversial issues
along with their negative impacts on society and its development.
At the other hand, there are various kinds of issues which can be generated socially due
to different traits selected by parents for having baby with specific characters may impacts on
negatively on society. Apart from this, people want to observe the embryo while it will remained
under observation in the laboratory but it is correct ethically which should be take cared by
medical professionals or specialists. Genetically engineered or test tube baby system is helpful to
those couples who are not able to have children through natural process so that these methods
facilitate to provide them babies. Moreover, a minor step in 'in vitro fertilisation' may create very
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critical complications then it is required to be carried out carefully and putting efforts to fulfil
desires of couples regarding traits may impacts negatively on fertilised embryo.
CONCLUSION
From the report, it is conclude that human reproduction can be described as a form of
sexual reproduction which results into fertilisation involving sexual intercourse between man and
woman. It involves male and female reproductive system including contraceptive methods like
pills, surgical methods, etc.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Browner, C. H. and Withers, M., 2015. Reproduction. The International Encyclopedia of Human
Sexuality, pp.1059-1114.
Wood, J. W., 2017. Dynamics of human reproduction: biology, biometry, demography.
Routledge.
Greely, H. T., 2016. The end of sex and the future of human reproduction. Harvard University
Press.
Lancaster, J.B., 2017. Human adolescence and reproduction: An evolutionary perspective. In
School-age pregnancy and parenthood (pp. 17-38). Routledge.
Daly, M. and Wilson, M., 2017. Homicide: Foundations of human behavior. Routledge.
Simon, W., 2017. Sexual conduct: The social sources of human sexuality. Routledge.
Tiefer, L., 2018. Social constructionism and the study of human sexuality. In Sex is not a
Natural Act & Other Essays(pp. 15-29). Routledge.
Online
Female Reproductive System. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.kullabs.com/classes/subjects/units/lessons/notes/note-detail/922>
Male reproductive system. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.mydr.com.au/sexual-health/male-reproductive-system>
Stages of IVF. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Stages-
of-IVF.aspx>
Meiosis. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.mun.ca/biology/desmid/brian/BIOL2060/BIOL2060-20/CB20.html>
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