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Female Reproductive System
Human Physiology 101 (University of South Australia)
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FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
PURPOSE
- Produces haploid ova (oocytes)
- Provides an environment for the fertilisation & development of ova (pregnancy)
- To expel offspring from the body (birth) , Initial nutrition to the offspring by lactation
STRUCTURES
Ovaries: endocrine functions, stimulate the production of the gametes & development/
maintenance of uterine wall & production of oocyte. Ovaries deliver ova, through the
fallopian tube to uterus
UTERUS: Where fertilised oocytes implant & develop
- Mechanical protection, nutritional support & waste removal for embryo/ foetus
- Contraction during childbirth to eject foetus , Much larger during pregnancy
- Situated between the urinary bladder & the rectum
Divided into:
- Fundus, Body , Isthmus & Cervix (extends into vagina as a passageway into uterus)
3 Layers:
1. Perimetrium: outermost layer, incomplete serosal layer * Except the lower anterior
part
2. Myometrium: Thick, outer, muscular wall
3. Endometrium: Thin, inner, glandular layer
- Very vascular composed of simple columnar epithelium, uterine glands & stroma
- Stratum functionalis: changes during menstrual cycle (closest to uterine cavity)
- Stratum Basalis (permanent): closest to myometrium
Normally is anterverted, anteflexed
Held in place by broad & suspensory ligaments, blood supply by uterine arteries
(from iliac & ovarian arteries)
Uterine tube: Transport oocytes to uterus
Vagina: Hollow muscular tube that allows for elimination of menstrual fluids, holds
spermatozoa after sexual intercourse & final portion of birth canal. Connects external
environment to uterus
Fallopian Tubes (uterine tubes): Transportation from ovaries to fallopian tube &
nourishment for oocyte
-Also called uterine tubes/oviduct
- For fertilisation: the spermatozoa must come into contact with a secondary oocyte during
first 48hrs of passage through fallopian tube.
- Unfertilised oocyte: will degrade in the terminal portion of the fallopian tube or in the
uterus, removed during menstruation.
- Open ended tube with finger like projections called fimbriae (aid movement)
3 Layers
1. Serosa: outer most layer
2. Muscularis- central muscle layer (increases in thickness towards uterus)
3. Mucosa- ciliated columnar cells, secretory cells & peg cells (nutrients for oocytes)
External Genitalia: Vulva includes vestibule, labia majora, labia minora & mons pubis,
vaginal opening, urethral opening & the clitoris
Greater vestibule glands: Secrete lubricating fluids (mucus) onto surface of vestibule during
sexual intercourse.
Paraurethral glands: Secrete at the opening of the urethra
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Mammary Glands: Milk production (lactation) for nourishment after birth
OVARIES
Homologous to the testes (produce gametes, sex hormones & inhibin)
Only location in female where meiosis occurs- to form gametes
Maintained in position by mesovarium (contain the major blood vessels that supply
to ovaries), ovarian ligament & suspensory ligament
Divided into cortex (outer/ superficial layer; where meiosis occurs & follicles undergo
development) & medulla (inner layer)
OVARIAN CYCLE & OOGENESIS
Monthly series of events associated with maturation of the ovum (where secondary
oocyte is developed)
- Begins at puberty & ceases at menopause
1. Oocyte production; immature eggs
1. Primary follicles in egg nest;
- primary oocyte in clusters & from puberty primordial follicles continuously activated
2. Formation of primary follicles;
- oocytes that have not completed the first stage of meiosis (remaining primary
follicles that don’t make it to secondary follicles contribute to endocrine functions)
- Primordial follicle becomes primary follicle
- Layers of cells around primary oocyte
- Thecal (inner layer surrounding oocyte) and granulosa (surround the thecal cells)
produce sex hormones (estrogen)
3. Formation of secondary Follicles
- Meiosis I stay suspended, but oocyte begins to grow
- Fluid filled space (antrum) created that separate inner & outer follicle layers
4. Formation of Mature Graafian (tertiary) follicles
- Meiosis I complete- Meiosis II begins but secondary oocyte halts in metaphase, does
not begin until fertilised by mature spermatozoa
- Antrum continues to expand, granulosa cells still attached to oocyte form corona
radiata (protective layer)
5. Ovulation
- Tertiary follicle releases secondary oocyte
- Wall of follicle ruptures ejecting contents (secondary oocyte into pelvic cavity)
- Fimbriae (finger like projections that come from fallopian tube) move oocyte into the
fallopian tube
6&7. Formation of corpus luteum (collapse of follicle left in ovary) & then corpus
albicans (remaining granular cells in the follicle invade the area & proliferate to create
corpus albicans) at ovary
OOCYTE
- Enters fallopian tube at fimbriae; Usual site of fertilization
- Oocyte movement- being of cilia on epithelium
- Contractions of smooth muscle wall (peristalsis)
MENSTRUAL CYCLE (UTERINE CYCLE): Series of changes in endometrium of non- pregnant
3 phases:
1. PROLIFERATIVE
Estrogen produced by follicle promotes proliferation of the endometrium epithelial cells
(Proliferative phase): Begins replacement of functional zone of uterus
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2. SECRETORY
After ovulation the corpus luteum secretes progesterone (secretory phase)
Uterine glands secrete more, thickening of lining, last approx. 14 days.
3. MENSES
Non-pregnancy: Hormone levels drop
New ovarian cycle begins during menses, functional zone of uterus is shed (as no
progesterone present to maintain functional zone of endometrium- shedding)
Corpus luteum degenerates Decreased E&P Endometrial blood vessels
constricted Decreased O2 & nutrients to uterine lining & blood flow Cells
disintegrate (die) Blood escapes from damaged capillaries Cellular debris &
blood = menstrual fluid
ESTROGENS
- Responsible for female secondary sex characteristics (breast, uterus, bone & muscle)
- Influences the production of cervical mucus & the structure of the vaginal
epithelium: encourages the growth of bacteria which are responsible for the acidity
of the vaginal fluid
- Causes the proliferation of the uterine endometrium
- Encourages fluid retention, inhibits FSH
PROGESTERONE
- Only act on tissues which have been affected by estrogen
- Causes: endometrial growth, secretory changes & temp (rises by 0.5c after ovulation)
REGULATION OF OVARIAN CYCLE
Day 1:
- GnRH from hypothalamus stimulates the production & release of FSH & LH (FSH
stimulates beginning of development of follicle).
- Follicle produces estrogens (estradiol) from the granulosa cells (and interstitial cells)
- Low estrogen levels from developing follicle inhibit the release of LH
- As secondary follicle develops, FSH inhibited through inhibin release (negative
feedback)
- As follicle grows more estrogen is released
Day 10: Estrogen, GnRH release increases (pulses more frequent); increasing LH
Day 14: Ovulation: sudden surge of LH triggers completion meiosis I & rupture of follicle wall
-Luteal phase after ovulation
- LH causes secretion of progesterone & formation of corpus luteum
- GnRH pulses stimulate more LH than FSH
- As progesterone levels rise, estrogen levels fall a little
- If no pregnancy, corpus luteum degenerates
- Progesterone & estrogen levels fall (blood supply restricted & endometrial tissue
deteriorates), process begins again, with FSH stimulation
CONTRACEPTION: combined oral contraceptive pill
- Minute doses of estrogens & progesterone
- Slows the hypothalamic- pituitary actions: GnRH releases (. FSH & LH), inhibits
follicular development & prevents ovulation, cervical mucus to inhibit sperm
MENOPAUSE: Occurs when primordial follicles decrease (After approx. 450 ovarian cycles)
resulting in low levels of estrogen & progesterone. GnRH ( FSH & LH but decreased
responsiveness).
