The Reproductive System of female
•
Oviducts and Uterus
1. Female system not completely closed
2. Egg cell released into abdominal cavity near oviduct—
fallopian tube
3. Oviduct has a funnel like opening and cilia on the
epithelium lining the duct helping collect the egg by
drawing fluid from the body cavity into the duct. Cilia
also convey egg down duct to the uterus—womb
4. Uterus—thick muscular organ that can expand during
pregnancy to accommodate 4-kg fetus
5. Endometrium—inner lining of uterus; richly supplied
with blood vessels.
6. Neck of uterus = cervix. Opens into the vagina
female hormones
FSH
follicle stimulating hormone
promotes
maturation of follicles
LH
luteinizing hormone
promotes development
of corpus luteum
estrogen
progesterone
rebuild endometrium
2º sex. char.
prepare/maintain
endometrium
Figure 28.15 Oogenesis
Figure 28.15
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 HORMONAL REGULATION OF OOGENSIS AND OVULATION
FOLLICULAR PHASE
OVULATION
LUTEAL PHASE
10-20 primordial follicles begin to develop
in response to FSH and LH levels
theca and granulosa cells transform into the corpus
luteum and secrete large amounts of progesterone
FSH and LH stimulate theca and granulosa
production of estrogen and progesterone
if fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum
degenerates ... if fertilization does occur, HCG
released from the embryo maintains corpus luteum
surge of LH induces ovulation
Gonadotropins, Hormones, and
the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles
Figure 27.22c, d
Gonadotropins, Hormones, and
the Ovarian and Uterine Cycles
Figure 27.22a, b
Feedback Mechanisms in
Ovarian Function
Figure 27.21
FSH, LH
Same a
Different b