Reproduction in Human Beings

Female Reproductive System

• The Female Reproductive System produces an egg or ovum, and hormones like oestrogen and progesterone
• Female reproductive system supports developing embryos
• Major organs of female reproductive organs include- the cervix, vagina, gonads (ovaries), uterine tubes or fallopian tubes, and uterus
• These are mainly part of the organs of internal genitalia. The external genitalia also called vulva include – mons pubis, labia, clitoris, and vestibule structures
• In the ovaries, female germ cells or eggs are produced
• A narrow oviduct or fallopian tube transports the egg from the ovary to the womb
• The uterus is an elastic bag-like structure having a pear shape that connects the two oviducts
• Through the cervix, the uterus enters the vaginal canal
• During sexual intercourse, sperm enter through the vaginal channel
• They ascend to the oviduct, where they may come across the egg (fertilisation)
• The fertilised egg (zygote) begins to divide and eventually forms a ball of cells or embryo
• The embryo is implanted in the lining of the uterus, where they continue to grow and develop organs to become a foetus
• With the help of a special tissue called the placenta, the embryo receives nutrition from the mother’s blood
• It takes about nine months for the child to develop inside the mother’s body
• The baby is born as a result of the uterus’ muscles contracting in a rhythmic pattern

Contraceptive Methods

This includes methods to avoid pregnancy such as:

• A mechanical barrier so sperm doesn’t arrive at the egg, for example, Condoms on the penis or comparable covers worn in the vagina
• Changing the hormonal balance of the body so that eggs are not released and fertilisation cannot occur
• Contraceptive methods in females include- spacing methods, terminal methods, and pregnancy vaccines
• Spacing methods further include rhythm methods, barrier methods, and chemical methods

Menstruation

• Menstruation, also known as period, is a part of women’s monthly cycle
• During menstruation normal vaginal bleeding occurs
• The length of a menstruation cycle of a woman varies from one another
• But to have a period after every 28 days is considered as normal
• Every month a woman’s body prepares for pregnancy If no pregnancy occurs then the uterus sheds its lining
• Then menstruation occurs
• Menstrual blood is actually partly tissue or partly blood from inside the uterus
• The uterus sets itself up consistently to get a treated egg, and its covering turns out to be thick and light
• If the egg is not fertilised, the lining slowly breaks and comes out through the vagina as blood and mucous
• Menarche is the onset of menstruation, whereas menopause is the ceasing of the menstrual cycle
• On an average, by age 51 of a woman, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and then periods stop

Conclusion

Humans are sexually reproducing animals and give birth to young ones, so that’s why called as viviparous animals. The male reproductive system consists of a pair of testes, accessory ducts and the accessory glands and external genitalia. Testes have testicular compartments called testicular lobules which contain seminiferous tubules. These seminiferous tubules are further lined by Sertoli cells and spermatogonia. The Leydig cell synthesises and secrete male reproductive hormones called androgens. The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries, a pair of oviducts, a vagina, external genitalia, and a pair of mammary glands. The ovaries produce female gonads called ovum and some steroidal hormones. Oogenesis is the formation of mature female gametes whereas spermatogenesis is the formation of mature male gametes. Menstrual cycle is the part of the female reproductive system which starts only after attaining the sexual maturity or puberty.