Reproductive System: Structure, Function, and Hormonal Effects

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the human reproductive system, encompassing both male and female structures and their respective functions. It delves into the influence of key hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, analyzing their effects on various organs and physiological processes. The report further examines the journey of gametes, explaining the process of fertilization and the role of IVF in assisting couples with fertility issues. It also elucidates the changes occurring in the uterus during the menstrual cycle and the critical role of the placenta in embryo development. The report includes diagrams of the reproductive systems and discusses the changes in the growing embryo, providing a detailed analysis of reproductive health and processes.

THE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
Reproductive system can be defined as that system which consists of organs related to sex
who work together for the core objective of sexual reproduction. Fluids, hormones, pheromones
are also main part of the reproductive system. Present report will lay emphasis on structure and
function of male and female reproductive system. It will also evaluate the effects of oestrogen,
testosterone and progesterone on the reproductive system. Assignment also laid emphasis on
summarising the journey taken by the gametes to achieve fertilisation. It will also – explain how
IVF could help the couple to achieve fertilisation. Study will also explain the role of placenta.
TASK 1
Diagram of male and female reproductive system
Figure 1 Reproductive system
(Source: Male and female reproductive system, 2017)
Structure of the male and female reproductive organs relate to their function
Female: It has been analyzed that female vagina is been connected with the uterus at the cervix
which means the neck. The cervix in female body is made up of thick walls. During the time of
childbirth, the cervix expands so that the child could pass from the female body. It has also been
analyzed that there is no direct connection between the ovaries and oviduct also known as
fallopian tube. This tube has the function of transferring sperms of male to the egg in suitable
environment so that the process of fertilization can take place properly.

The egg is been transferred with the help of peritoneal fluid that is being delivered by the
fimbriae. The ovaries are been presented on the other side of uterus, they exist within the
peritoneal cavity and attached to the uterus with the help of fibrous cord. Uterus is mainly a
muscular organ that has a shape of pear. It is a main part of the female reproductive system. It is
placed between the bladder and the rectum. The main function and purpose of the uterus is to
nourish and house a fertilized egg. In uterus the embryo is also been embedded. It is because the
uterine wall is being presented in it. The lowered portion of the uterus is also known as the
cervix. It is being formed by the two narrow layer of the tissue.
Male: The organs in the male reproductive system are being linked together. They are also
engaged in performing various types of functions. Epididiymis is the tube which narrow and
tight connected with the male testicles. This organ store sperms during the time of maturation. It
has also been analyzed that the Epididiyms consists of the three parts that includes head, tail and
body. They are useful for storing of the sperm and helps in the time of maturation. The
Ejaculatory Ducts are the structure which is being paired in the male anatomy. This duct is
mainly formed by uniting the vas deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle. It has been
analyzed that this duct has the main function of transferring the sperm from the testes to urethra.
The sperms are being stored in the vas deferens and they are being stored prior to the ejaculation
process conducted by the male anatomy.
The main function of the vas deferens is to carry sperm to the penis. Vas deferens connects
the urethra and Epididiyms as it was placed between them. The main function of Urethra is to
carry urine from the balder to outside the body. It has been analyzed that during the time of sex
penis is erect and it blocks the flow of urine from the urethra. It only allows semen to be
ejaculated. The main function of the accessory gland is to enable the spermatozoa so that the
urethral tract is been clears and the process of ejaculation took place properly.
Effects of oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone
Organ Effect
Estrogen It has been analyzed that the estrogen lays
impact on the several parts of the body. If the
level of estrogen in the body is high than it can
cause several issues like acne and constipation.
It can also cause the severe problem in human

body like suffering from breast cancer
(Yoshida, 2020). This can reduce the quality of
life of individual. It has also been analyzed if
in human body the level of estrogen is low than
it can cause several problems like poor growth
of bone and menopausal symptoms. Estrogen
also has an impact on the urinary tract. It
maintains the heart and blood vessels. It assists
on proper functioning of the bones, brain and
the pelvic muscles in female body. It also
assists in maintain the reproductive system and
public hair. Fat tissue and adrenal glands
produces estrogen.
Testosterone Testosterone also have impact on the male
body. It is necessary for the growth of
hormones. It helps in increasing the bone
marrow of the male body and also assists in the
manufacturing red blood cells. It has been
analyzed that the male who have low level of
testosterone can suffer from the severe health
related problem. They can have frequent
fractures in bones. Testosterone also assists on
the production of the red blood cells. Sperms
are also being produce with help of it. If any
male has high level of Testosterone than they
can face several healths related problems like
acne, enlargement in breast, baldness. The
count of sperm cam also is reduced if the
Testosterone level in male is high. It can also
increase the count of red blood cells.
Progesterone Progesterone also have several impact, it can

cause several side effect. Individual can go
through problems like change in appetite,
weight gain, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness,
headache, allergy, high fever, itching. It can
reduce the quality of life of individual. The
health outcome of service user can also be
reduced and worsen. It has also been analyzed
that if the progesterone level in the human
body is high than individual can also face
problems like depression, anxiety and
discomfort in Breast. They can also go through
the issue of pre-menstrual syndrome. It can
have the depressing impact on the body of
females.
TASK 2
Changes that occur in the uterus during the menstrual cycle
There are various changes which occur in the body of female during the menstrual cycle. In
the female reproductive system, the menstrual cycle is the frequent change which occurs by also
influencing the level of Progesterone. During the time of menstrual cycle, the level of estrogens
increases. This cycle is really necessary in order to make the pregnancy possible. It has been
analysed that when the level of estrogens rises and falls the menstrual cycle occurs in female
body. During the time of menstrual cycle many women experiences painful cramps making them
ill and weak. Various phases of this cycle is also been related to the mood and behaviour of
women. In some cases when the hormones are being released in the females, it causes
behavioural changes. If estrogens level in the females is high during the time of cycle, they face
a feeling of empathy. They can also go through the increase in sexual feeling and changes in
behaviour during the time of menstrual cycle. There can be a high interest in sexual activity of
females when going though this time. It has been analysed that there are various phases of the
menstrual cycle. They are being divided in 3 phase.
It consists of follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. During the follicular phase
the level of LH increases. Estrogens will also seek an increasing pace during the beginning of

menstrual cycle (Taştan and et.al., 2019). It has been analysed that the level of Estrogens during
the time of menstrual cycle is been related to the mental health of females or women. If the level
of Estrogens is clinically high than there are chances that females can go through the problem of
depression. They can face post-menopause depression or can also face per-menopause
depression. During the time of menstrual cycle, there are also psychological changes that appear
in them. It can cause enlargement in the several tissues which also includes nipples and vaginal
walls. The shape of vagina and also the position of uterus also changes when a women or female
is going through the menstrual cycle. There are also various other changes in body that appears
when a women is going through the menstrual cycle like increase in rate of heart. They can also
have severe changes in their mood and behaviour. If the estrogens level is reduced, it can be
linked with vaginal dynes.
TASK 3
Sperm travels from the male testes to the uterine tube
Figure 2 Sperm travels
(Source: Sperm travels from the male testes to the uterine tube, 2017)
The process of fertilization is fully dependent on the transportation of gametes. It is fully
based on two gametes which bump into one another. Sperms and eggs are being transferred to
oviduct during the time of fertilization. During the process of fertilization diploid cells are being
produced by triggering a fusion that is also known as zygote. The process is only been completed
when the haploid cells are being produced. It assists in the fusion of different sex cells. The
sperm travels from the vas deferens. It passes to the prostate gland and enter urethra.

Ovum travels from the female ovary
Figure 3OVUM TRAVELS
(Source: Ovum travels from the female ovary, 2018)
The process of the fertilization to the implantation occurs when the ovum is engaged in
travelling from the ovaries of female, so that they can implant in uterus (Mohebbati,
Anaeigoudari and Khazdair, 2017). It has been analysed that during the process of fertilization,
the sperm and egg are united in one of the Fallopian tube so that the zygote is been formed. In
this the embryo reaches out blastocyst stage after the process of fertilization. The process of
implantation is successful when women have several signs such as constipation, sensitive breasts
etc. During the time of implantation women should not be engaged in taking caffeine.
IVF could help the couple to achieve fertilisation
In-vitro fertilization also known as IVF can provide support to couples who are facing
problem related to the process of fertilization. In this process the health care professionals are
been engaged in taking out the eggs from the body of females and mix them with male sperm in
lab so that the sperm can help the eggs in fertilizing. Health care professionals after that put the
fertilized eggs in the uterus of females. They can out upon one or more egg. This process
consists of several different steps and it requires several months in order to complete the process.
In the first step it has been analyzed that several medications are been given to female so that
they can produce several eggs.
Health care professionals wait to get them mature so that these eggs are ready for the
process of fertilization. Once the eggs are being produce, the health care professional removes it
from the female body. The transfer of the embryo when done in body of women is not painful. It

can be done in any clinical care setting. It has also been analyzed that females who go through
the process of IVF can also face several side effects. They can go through regular mood swings,
headache, and infection. Even this process can cause several allergic reaction. This can reduce
the health outcome of females. It has also been analyzed that many couples who are going
through the process of IVF can also go through depressive symptoms. If the case is severe than
they need to contact their health care professionals so that person centered care can be provided
to them.
TASK 4
Changes that take place in the growing embryo
Week 1 During the week 1 fertilized egg grows and
also it helps in development of the placenta. It
will help in transferring of the nutrients from
the body of mother. It has also been analyzed
that the females have to wait for 3 week to
check whether they are actually pregnant or
not. The formation of face will begin to
develop during month 1.
Week 2 In this stage development of the facial features
starts to begin (Rehman and et.al., 2019). The
finger and toes of child during this also begin
to grow. Digestive system also begins to
develop. The weight of head is more than the
rest of body.
Week 3 In this stage the child begins to develop its
arms, hands. Teeth are also being formed
during the time of this process. Child is fully
formed by the end of 3rd month. Circulatory
and urinary organs are also been developed.
Week 4 Mother can listen to the heart beat of child
during this stage. It is audible and health care
professional can help mother in listening to it.

Week 5 During this stage the child can began to move
and mother can experience it. Hair usually
starts growing during this process. Movement
is quick during this process.
Week 6 Heart beat can be detected during the time of
6th week. A large bump can also be seen in the
women Veins can also be seen by mother an
skin of baby becomes reddish.
Week 7 In this the embryo can be grown to about
10mm. The brain and the rest of the baby start
growing quickly.
Week 8 In the 8th week the baby can be called a fetus
instead of an embryo. The legs can also be
formed during this stage.
TASK 5
Role of the placental during pregnancy
Placenta is that organ which develops in uterus of female when they are pregnant. It has
the main function of providing nutrients and oxygen to the child which is growing inside
female’s womb (Marian and et.al., 2016). It also has function of removing the waste products
from the blood vessels of the baby. Placenta is been linked with wall connecting uterus. It also

develops the umbilical cord in child. Placenta has three main functions to perform inside the
mother’s fetus. One of the main functions of placenta is to link fetus with the uterine wall. It is
also been engaged in providing the nutritional aspects to the fetus. The other main objective of
placenta is to enable fetus so that they can remove the waste product from the body of child.
They are also engaged in transferring from nutrition to fetus from the maternal blood.
Alcohol is not consumed during pregnancy
It is strongly recommended that females who are pregnant must not be engaged in
consuming alcohol. Consumption of alcohol can lay negative impact on the development of
child. It has been analyzed that of the female is engaged in drinking liquor during the 3 week of
pregnancy can cause abnormal facial features to the baby. It can reduce the quality of life of
mother as well as the baby. It has been analyzed that consumption of alcohol during the time of
pregnancy can also face several other problems such as problems related to heart and kidney. It
has also been analyzed that child can also face problem when they grow up. They can go through
issues such as learning disabilities. The various other health related problems that can be cause to
child when women consumes alcohol is nervous system problem and can also damage the brain
of child.
TASK 6
Hormones regulate birth
Hormones have the main role in keeping a pace on the process of labour and birth. It assists
in the process of reproduction and can also monitor hormones related to stress. Hormones known
as prostaglandins can also cause of ripening of cervix. During the time of labour, it has also been
analysed that the pain relief hormones are also being released, so that women face less pain
during the time of labour. Oxytocin hormones can make the process of labour slow. Excessive
bleeding can also be seen in pregnant women when oxytocin hormones are being released.
Hormones regulate lactation
Hormones also have the control over the process of lactation. There are mainly two
hormones which control this procedure one is Oxytocin and other one is prolactin. This lay direct
impact on the process of breastfeeding. Lactating can also have severe side effects if the women
are not pregnant. The reason of lactation can be because of the hormonal changes and also
because of medication side effects. The process of lactation is been monitored by endocrine

glands. The most common cause of breast milk production is an elevation of a hormone
produced in the brain called prolactin
Compare and contrast the role that each hormone
Oxytocin hormone is mainly responsible for the feeling of love and empathy in the women
body during the process of birth and even during the time of labour. Active labour is been
induced when Oxytocin hormones are being release. It has also been analysed that it makes the
process of labour slow. Several contradictions can also take place when this hormone is being
released. It helps in having control over the postpartum haemorrhage. It also has the control over
the ejaculation of milk during the time of birth (Giulivo and et.al., 2016).
It has been analysed that during the time of child birth and labour the level of Proclatin
increases or rises. It helps pregnant women in the formation of milk for the process of
Breastfeeding. It also helps in maintain and keeping a pace with menstrual cycle of females or
women. The high level of Proclatin also has several side effects on the body of women. They can
face problem of vaginal dryness, acne, and discomfort in breast. It can also cause other health
problem such as absent or irregular periods. It can lay emphasis on health outcome of women.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that placenta has the vital role during the time
of pregnancy. It has been analyzed that placenta transfers nutrients to the fetus. It has also
removed the waste product from the blood of child. It has also been analyzed that consumption
of alcohol during the time of pregnancy is really harmful. It has caused various issues such as
heart and kidney damage. It has also caused various other issues such as nervous system damage
and can also cause problems like language disabilities. It can reduce health outcome of child and
mother.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Giulivo, M. and et.al., 2016. Human exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds: Their role in
reproductive systems, metabolic syndrome and breast cancer. A review. Environmental
research, 151, pp.251-264.
Mariana, M. and et.al., 2016. The effects of phthalates in the cardiovascular and reproductive
systems: A review. Environment international, 94, pp.758-776.
Rehman, H. and et.al., 2019. page: Neonatal exposure to furan alters the development of
reproductive systems in adult male Sprague Dawley rats.
Mohebbati, R., Anaeigoudari, A. and Khazdair, M.R., 2017. The effects of Curcuma longa and
curcumin on reproductive systems. Endocrine regulations, 51(4), pp.220-228.
Taştan, S.D. and et.al., 2019. The effects of wirelesson carbonic anhydrase and
acetylcholinesterase enzyme activities in some tissues related to respiratory, excretory and
reproductive systems of rats. Cumhuriyet Tıp Dergisi, 41(1), pp.1-9.
Yoshida, M., 2020. Overview: Reproductive Systems in Aquatic Animals. In Reproduction in
Aquatic Animals (pp. 13-21). Springer, Singapore.
Online
Male and female reproductive system. 2017. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/reproductive+system>

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