1

Female Reproductive

System

1. Ovaries • 2 organs: 1 on either side of

the uterus; walnut size.

• Produce hormones

(estrogen, progesterone)

•Produce eggs (ova) that dev.

& mature in the follicles of

the ovaries.

2. Fallopian

tubes (oviduct)

3. Uterus

a tube that guides egg into

the uterus by muscular

contractions & cilia

the womb where the zygote

implants & embryo develops

into a fetus

1. Ovaries• 2 organs; walnut size.

• Produce hormones

(estrogen, progesterone)

• stimulates follicles to

mature the egg (ova) inside

the ovaries.

2. Fallopian

tubes (oviduct)

3. Uterus

a tube that guides egg into

the uterus by muscular

contractions

the womb where the zygote

implants & embryo develops

into a fetus

Female Reproductive System

5. Vagina tube where sperm is

deposited; opening to

outside of body

Only 1 egg is released at a time.

4. Cervix narrow neck of the

uterus

Female Reproductive Organs

• Cervix

2

At

Ovulation

At

Fertilization

At birth(prophase)

Female Menstrual Cycle

•Monthly cycle (every 28 days), Day 1

starts with menstruation.

• Begins at puberty, stops during

pregnancy, ends at age 45-50 called

menopause.

• At birth, women have 400-500 oocytes.

•Hormones controlled by negative feedback

mechanism.

Hormones: Ovarian & Menstrual Cycle

Pituitary Gland Ovary

1. FSH

• stimulate egg to

mature in ovary

2. LH

• stimulate egg to

release it from ovary

• forms corpus luteum

1. Estrogen

• initially builds uterus

lining with blood

vessels

2. Progesterone

• continues to build up

uterus lining with

blood vessels

OvaryPathway

For An

Egg

Vagina

Uterus

Fallopian tube(oviduct)

3

Website Animation:

Menstrual Feedback Mechanism

• http://www.msnbc.com/news/wld/graphics/m

enstrual_cycle_dw.htm

(animation) ****

• http://wps.aw.com/bc_martini_eap_4/0,11295,

2680298-content,00.html (animation)****

Menstrual Cycle Stages

1. Follicle Stage lasts 10 days

- follicles & egg grow

- estrogen released when follicle breaks open

- estrogen thickens uterus lining (more blood vessels)

2. Ovulation lasts 1 day

- egg released from ovary by LH

3. Corpus Luteum (Luteal Stage) lasts 12 days- remaining follicles turn into the corpus luteum

caused by LH

- turns yellow & makes progesterone to maintain

pregnancy

4. Menstrual Stage lasts 3-5 days

- If No pregnancy………

- Estrogen & progesterone decrease

- Uterus lining & unfertilized egg sheds

What Happens In The

Ovaries?

Follicular Stage

Ovulation

Corpus Luteum Stage

4

FSH causes

dev. of

follicle

LH causes (rupture)

LH causes dev.

Drop in LH, estrogen,

progesterone

Makes

progesterone What Happens In The

Menstrual Stage

?

2.

3.

Estrogen &

progesterone

are high to

thicken uterus

lining for

pregnancy.

Uterine lining &

unfertilized egg

are shed during

No pregnancy,

Estrogen &

Progesterone

levels drop !

Menstruation

Uterus lining LH

FSH

Pituitary gland

Uterus

Progesterone

Estrogen

Egg travels

Review Questions

5

Questions ?

1. How long does the ovarian & menstrual cycle lasts?

?

Usually 28 days

2. When does meiosis I begin?

At ovulation

3. When does meiosis II begin?

At fertilization

Questions ?

4. What hormone causes the release of a mature egg, also called ovulation?

?

LH (luteinizing hormone)

5. Name 2 hormones that directly effect the

uterus lining of the uterus?

Estrogen & Progesterone

Questions ?

6. What hormone causes the development of the follicles surrounding the egg?

?

FSH (Follicle stimulating hormones)

7. Name the 2 hormones made in the

ovaries?

Estrogen & Progesterone

Questions ?

8. What hormones do the corpus luteum produce?

?

Estrogen and Progesterone

9. Menstruation results due to the hormones

increasing or decreasing?

Decreasing