Reproduction: Male & Female Systems, Hormones, and Fertilization

This report provides a comprehensive overview of human reproduction, starting with the male and female reproductive systems, detailing their structures and functions. It further explains the role of key hormones such as FSH, LH, and estrogen in the menstrual cycle and ovulation. The report also describes the process of fertilization, the development of the fetus in the womb, and the events of birth. The conclusion highlights the significance of both sexual and asexual reproduction, emphasizing the fusion of ovum and sperm to form a zygote. References to relevant academic sources such as Bourdieu (2018) and Lancaster (2017) are included to support the information presented.

Reproduction
Task 1

INTRODUCTION
• Reproduction can be described as a process by which plants &
animals give rise to off-springs and which fundamentally consist
segregation of a portion of parental body.
• It can be classified into two categories such as sexual and asexual
reproduction on the basis of mode of reproduction.

Structure and function of male & female
• Male reproductive system has a structure consisting several organs
such as penis, testes, scrotum, epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory
duct, urethra, seminal vesicles, prostate grand and Bulbourethral or
Cowper's Glands.

Role of FSH, LH, oestrogen
• Menstruation refers to shedding of lining of uterus (endometrium)
accompanied by bleeding.
• Menstrual cycle starts with first day of bleeding in females that is
considered as day 1 & ends just before next menstrual period and
this cycle normally range from 25 to 36 days.

Continue…
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)- This hormone of released by
pituitary gland and stimulate ovarian follicles for their maturation.
• Luteinising hormone (LH)- LH is secreted by pituitary gland and
causes rupture of mature ovarian follicle by releasing egg cell.
• Oestrogen- This hormone has a role of growing and maturating the
uterine lining and also natures egg prior to ovulation.

Continue…
• Progesterone- Progesterone had main role
to control build-up of uterine lining and
help in maturing & maintaining uterine
lining during pregnancy.

Roles of hormones
• Maintain pregnancy – Human chorionic gonadotrophin regulates
levels of pro- pregnancy hormones, progesterone and oestrogen.
• Initial birth – The oxytocin hormones facilitate fetal ejection reflect
by producing contractions in endometrium lining of uterus and
abdominal muscles for child birth.
• Lactation – Oestrogen promote growth of maternal breast tissue
and prepare mother for lactation.

Fertilisation and key changes
• Fertilisation refers to a process of
fusion of male and female haploid
gametes in order to form diploid
zygote which takes place in
ampullary isthmic region of fallopian
tube.

Development of foetus in womb
• Development of fetus include first,
second and third trimester to grow in
womb in every stage.
• Zygote divided into two layers i.e.
outer one is for placenta and inner layer
is for growth of organs of fetus.

Events of birth and changes
• The events of birth consist cervical dilation including latent with 0-
4cm dilated & active phase by 4-10cm dilated.
• It includes second stage expulsion involving descent of head &
pushing phase and third event is delivery of placenta following
expulsion of fetus till the placenta and membranes are delivered.

Conclusion
• The above report has been concluded that reproduction is a process
to produce new offspring by sexual or asexual reproduction.
• It includes male and female reproductive system with different
organs to form ovum and sperm which both fuse to synthesise
zygote.

References
• Bourdieu, P., 2018. Cultural reproduction and social reproduction.
In Inequality (pp. 257-272). Routledge.
• Lancaster, J. B., 2017. Human adolescence and reproduction: An
evolutionary perspective. In School-age pregnancy and parenthood
(pp. 17-38). Routledge.