Detailed Report on Human Reproduction, Structure and Function

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the human reproductive system, detailing the structure and function of both male and female reproductive systems. It explores the key components such as the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, scrotum, and penis in males, and ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and uterus in females. The report also elucidates the functions of these organs, including sperm and semen production, hormone secretion, and the process of fertilization. Furthermore, it delves into the menstrual cycle, explaining the roles of various hormones like FSH, LH, oestrogen, and progesterone in regulating the cycle and facilitating reproduction. The report is well-supported by illustrations and references, providing a complete understanding of the human reproductive system.

Task 20 - Reproduction

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Structure and Functions of the reproductive system..................................................................1
Structure......................................................................................................................................1
Male.............................................................................................................................................1
Functions.....................................................................................................................................3
Female.........................................................................................................................................3
Structure......................................................................................................................................3
Functions.....................................................................................................................................4
1.2 Menstrual Cycle.........................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Male reproductive system.........................................................................................1
Illustration 2: Female reproductive system......................................................................................3

1.1 Structure and Functions of the reproductive system
Reproductive system is considered as a system consisting of sex organs which further
results in the process of sexual reproduction. As the reproductive system for male and female are
much different from each other, describing the structure and functioning of both as below:
Structure
Male
(Source : Irvin, 2018)
Testicles
Testicles/Testes are considered as oval organs that are placed inside the scrotum. Two
testes are usually present in man in normal cases, which are responsible for making testosterone
and also for the production of sperms (Mann and Lutwak-Mann, 2012).
Epididymis
Epididymis are rested on the back of each testicle. The storing and transportation of the
sperms is being carried out by Epididymis only. Also, it is only responsible for maturing the
sperm because immature sperms are being produced by testes.
Vas deferens
Vas deferens are tubes that are being travelled to the pelvic cavity from the epididymis.
Its role is to transport the mature sperm till the urethra for preparing it for the ejaculation.
Ejaculatory ducts
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Illustration 1: Male reproductive system

Ejaculatory ducts are being made by the interaction of the seminal vesicles with the
urethra.
Urethra
Although the function of urethra is carrying urine from the bladder but in men, it also
helps in releasing sperms at the time of climax/orgasm.
Seminal vesicles
In the sperm, there is a sugar rich fluid which is known as fructose, is being produced by
the seminal vesicles only. It is a factor of energy which helps the sperms to move (Moore,
Persaud and Torchia, 2011).
Prostate gland
Prostate gland is a gland that is located just below the urinary bladder. It also provides an
extra fluid to the sperm which helps in making their quality even better.
Scrotum
Scrotum is considered as an organ in the shape of a sac and is made up of muscles and
skin without inclusion of any bone inside it. It provides a sort of support to the testes. Its role is
to regulate the overall distance between the testes. It is also considered as a climate control factor
for testes. In the wall of the scrotum, there are some special muscles that helps in an easy
contraction. Also, either for warming, it moves the testicles quite close to the body but for
minimizing the temperature, it keeps it quite far. It is essential because in a cooler temperature
than that of body, an efficient development of sperm can take place.
Penis
Penis is considered as that male organ which is actually responsible for the sexual
intercourse. It consists of three sub parts, root, shaft and the glans. The skin of the penis is
flexible enough to change its size at the time of erection. In the situation, when the man has been
aroused sexually, in that cases, the tissues have been filled with blood which helps in getting it
erect and is further helpful for the intercourse. During the time of intercourse, semen is being
released through penis at the time of climax, which means satisfaction of the sexual arouse. This
further leads to the reproduction.
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Functions
 The organs of the male reproductive system are responsible for producing sperm along
with the semen, which is also considered as the protective fluid.
 Also, they release sperm in the ovaries of the female during the intercourse to carry out
the reproduction process.
 Secreting testosterone is also considered as one of the basic function of the male
reproductive system.
Female
Structure
Ovaries
Ovaries are considered as basic sex organs which are responsible for releasing female sex
hormones like estrogen, progesterone and eggs. From the oocyte cells, eggs are being produced
and at the time of puberty, reaches to a maturity stage (Rendi and et.al., 2012). An ovum is
released every month and then, it is being travelled till the fallopian tubes and there the
fertilisation takes place. After all this, it reaches to the uterus.
Fallopian tubes
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Illustration 2: Female reproductive system
(Source : Female reproductive system, 2017)

These are muscular tubes which are in the shape of a funnel and both the tubes are
covered with cilia that along with the muscle tube, carries the ovum till the uterus.
Vagina
Vagina is considered as a muscular tube which is connected to the cervix of the uterus. At
the time of intercourse, vagina acts as a holder for the penis and also, takes the sperm to the
uterus and fallopian tubes. Also, it acts as the birth canal for delivering the child (Olivetti,
Grazioli and Pollastri, 2015).
Uterus
Uterus is considered as an organ and also, womb in case of females as the delivery of the
child takes place from here only. It is connected to the fallopian tubes and the vagina as well.
Endometrium, which is considered as the inner lining of the uterus is responsible for giving
support to the embryo at the time of development of child.
Functions
 The ovaries produce eggs or ova.
 They are being transported to the fallopian tubes where the fertilization takes place after
the intercourse.
1.2 Menstrual Cycle
A change in the female reproductive system that is natural and is responsible for the
fertilization so that a woman can go through the phase of pregnancy. For the production of eggs
on proper intervals, the cycle should happen on an interval of 28 days. Also, some symptoms
which can help in guessing in advance, the menstruation can involve acne, mood swings,
bloating etc. Different hormones play different role in the menstrual cycle and these are
discussed as under:
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Before the egg is being released from the ovary, FSH is responsible for the growth of the
ovarian follicles within the ovary itself. Also, it helps in maximizing the overall production of
the oestradiol.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Although LH helps in releasing the mature egg from the ovary but a maximization in the
LH can cause issues in the ovulation process (Mihm, Gangooly and Muttukrishna, 2011).
Oestrogen
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Oestrogen is being released by the ovaries. It has two special roles that it acts as a barrier
for the FSH to be produced and it is to be done in order to ensure that only one egg can get
mature within a cycle. Also, it encourages the pituitary gland for LH to be released.
Progesterone
Progesterone also acts very special as it gives a thickening to the uterus lining each
month. It is being done for providing a sort of nourishment to the egg that has been fertilised.
After the pregnancy, it is being produced within the placenta and its level fluctuated throughout
the whole pregnancy.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Mann, T. and Lutwak-Mann, C., 2012. Male reproductive function and semen: themes and
trends in physiology, biochemistry and investigative andrology. Springer Science &
Business Media.
Mihm, M., Gangooly, S. and Muttukrishna, S., 2011. The normal menstrual cycle in
women. Animal reproduction science. 124(3). pp.229-236.
Moore, K. L., Persaud, T. V. N. and Torchia, M.G., 2011. The Developing Human E-Book.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Olivetti, L., Grazioli, L. and Pollastri, P., 2015. Female Reproductive System. In Atlas of
Imaging Anatomy (pp. 207-219). Springer International Publishing.
Rendi, M. H. and et.al., 2012. Female reproductive system. In Comparative Anatomy and
Histology. Elsevier Inc.
Online:
Female reproductive system, 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://byjus.com/biology/female-reproductive-system/>.
Irvin., H. 2018. Structure of Male reproductive system. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.msdmanuals.com/home/men-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-male-
reproductive-system/structure-of-the-male-reproductive-system>.
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