Reproductive System

The goal of the reproductive system is to produce offspring to ensure the survival of the species. However, most people do not think of it in quite this way. The reproductive system is also known as the genital system.

Male and female reproductive systems consist of both internal and external organs and structures. Most of the male reproductive system includes organs that are located outside of the body, while most of the female reproductive systems organs are located within the body. The main similarity between males and females is that both sexes have gamete producing organs called gonads – the testes in males and the ovaries in females. Cells within these organs produce, gametes - the sperm and eggs - that contain the genetic information from each parent. It is the fusion of the two gametes that creates ones offspring.

The male reproductive system:

Sperm is produced in the testes, which are located in a sack-like structure called the scrotum.
After production, the immature sperm travel to the epididymis, where they mature.
Mature sperm are forced up the vas deferens and combine with secretions from the seminal vesicles immediately before being released from the body.
These secretions contain mucous and an energy source for the sperm - the sugar fructose
Additional secretions from the prostate gland are added that neutralize acids in the female reproductive tract.
The resulting fluid called semen, exits the body through the end of the penis.

The female reproductive system:

The female eggs (ova) are produced within a single follicle in the ovaries.
The follicle-stimulating hormone aids in maturation and release of one egg per cycle (typically every 28 days) in a process called ovulation.
The egg is released near the opening of the fallopian tubes (ovaducts), where it travels to the uterus.
If the egg remains unfertilized, it is eliminated through the vagina.
If the egg is fertilized by semen that is released from the male penis (which happens in the fallopian tube), it implants into the uterine lining where it develops into a mature fetus.
The mature fetus is delivered through the vagina.
After birth, the breasts which contain mammary glands, produce nourishment for the infant.

Infertility in both males and females is one of the biggest problems associated with reproduction.

The following is a short list of the many disorders and diseases that may affect the reproductive system:

Male:

Scrotal hypoplasia
Bilateral absence of the vas deferens
Testicular retractibility
Clinical varicocele
Testicular hypotrophy

Female:

Endometriosis, o
Ovulation disorders
Hormonal disorders
Tubal occlusions
Polycystic ovary syndrome

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s):

Bacterial

Chlamydia trachomatis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Viral

Human papillomavirus
Herpes Simplex virus

Fungal

Candida albicans

Parasitic

Trichomonas vaginalis

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