FEMALE AND MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS.

 

               THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF  

                                     FEMALE  AND

                  MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS 

                                          AND 

                 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS.

When we consider the female reproductive system some of the structures can be seen externally. These are called external genitalia. These are labium marjoram, labium minoram, clitoris and opening of the urethra and vagina. Apart from these, there are many other important structures of the reproductive system that lie inside the pelvic cavity. These structures are important in the function of the

Ovaries: Ovaries can be considered glands because they can secrete hormones. There are two hormones that are secreted by ovaries as progesterone and oestrogen. These hormones are responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics of females.

Some of these characteristics are as follows.

• Growth of mammary glands (enlarged busts)
• Growth of pubic hair and hair in the armpit.
• Widened hips
• Roundness of the body due to fat deposits.
• behavior Change in some girls show different behaviours such as shyness after their puberty.

 Ovaries produce eggs/ova which are one of the basic cells of a new life. There are two ovaries left and right. Ovaries are almond-shaped 3-5cm long, and 2-3cm wide structures placed in the pelvic cavity. At birth, ovaries are filled with primary oocytes. At puberty (at the age range of 14- 16) one of the primary oocytes grows and develops into a secondary oocyte. This is the first secondary oocyte (ovum/egg) that woman has produced in her life. Now her womb also has prepared for the implantation of the zygote. If this egg does not get a chance to fuse with a sperm the prepared uterus will be broken down and blood flowing occurs. (First menstrual cycle, coming of the age) This is considered the first sign of adulthood in females. Since then that woman produces one egg monthly.  Her womb is also prepared for implantation and if implantation has not happened the blood flow occurs. (Menstruation) Usually, one ovary will function at a time. That is if the left ovary produced an ovum say, in the month of January the right ovum will produce an ovum in February. Likewise, ova are produced by ovaries alternately.

Fallopian tubes (oviducts): There are two oviducts and one is about 12cm long and carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The end of the tube nearest the ovary has an aperture and this is surrounded by feathery processes called fimbriae. These help in carrying eggs to the fallopian tubes. When sperm enters through the vagina to the fallopian tubes and meets with the egg fertilization (fusion of an ovum with a sperm) occurs.

Uterus: There is only one uterus to the system and lies at the midline. The shape and size are similar to an inverted (upside down) pear. It is 7cm long and 5cm wide. The wall of the uterus is very thick and it contains smooth muscle layers which contract strongly during childbirth. The main function of the uterus is keeping the embryo and nourishing it. The inner lining of the wall is the endometrium and which contains many glands and is rich in blood vessels. When fertilization occurs endometrium becomes thick with enlarged blood vessels and activated glands. This has happened as a preparation for the implantation of the embryo. If fertilization does not occur there is no embryo to implant and thickened endometrium will be broken down and blood will flow through the vagina. (Menstruation) This will happen monthly as a cycle parallel to the release of the egg. (Menstrual cycle)

Cervix: This is the narrow entrance to the uterus from the vagina. This entrance is closed by a ring of muscles and it is normally blocked by a plug of mucus (a slimy secretion). This will close the passage to microorganisms and protect the embryo from pathogens.

Vagina (birth canal): This is a muscular tube about 8cm-10cm long. The wall of the vagina contains elastic tissues and the inner lining is folded hence it can stretch to allow the passage for childbirth. The female reproductive system opens to the exterior through the opening of the vagina. Therefore soft tissues of the system may be exposed to the exterior and careful attention has to pay to protect them from pathogen

THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The main structures of the male reproductive system are testes, scrotal sac, seminiferous tubules, vasaefferentia, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra, penis, and accessory glands, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, and Cowper’s glands. Among these structures; the penis and scrotal sac can be seen externally. The skins of these externally situated organs are highly pigmented to protect the genetic material from the harmful rays  

Testes: There are two testes. These are placed inside the scrotal sac. Testes are the sites where sperm are made. Each testis contains 1000  coiled tubules known as seminiferous tubules. Each tubule is 50cm long and the walls of these tubules produce sperm. Testes produce the male sex hormone, testosterone which controls the secondary sexual characteristics of a male. Such as

·   The development and enlargement of testes, penis and glands of the reproductive tract.

·      Increased muscle development.

·     Enlargement of the larynx producing deepening of the voice

·    Growth of pubic hair and extra hair on the face, in the armpits, and on the chest.

·         Changes in behaviour.

Scrotal sac: There are two scrotal sacs as left and right and each contains testes, vas deferens, and epididymis. Testes are situated outside the abdominal cavity. This is because the body temperature is not the optimum temperature for sperm production. The temperature of the scrotum is less (in 2˚C-3˚C) than the temperature of the body. In high temperatures, the life of sperm is greatly reduced. (The optimum temperature for sperm production is 34˚C- 35˚C but our body temperature ranges 36.4 C˚-37.2 C˚)

Vasa efferentia: These are about 10-20 in number and collect sperms from inside the testis and transfer them to the epididymis.

Epidydymis: This is much-coiled tube about 6m long. Sperm collected from vas efferentia enter this coiled tube. Sperm take several days to pass through this tube. Within this tube

• Sperm are concentrated by reabsorbing the fluid.
• Sperm develop the ability to swim.
• At the base of the tube sperm passes a short period of storage.
• For the maturation of the sperm chemicals produced by the lining of the tube are essential.

Vas deferens: This is a straight tube about 40 cm long that carries semen (sperm and fluid) to the urethra. Semen is thick yellowish-white fluid. The average discharge of semen contains approximately 300 million sperm.

Urethra: This tube carries urine from the bladder, as well as sperm from the vasa differentia, and release to the exterior through the penis.

Penis: This contains erectile tissue. When the male is sexually excited this tissue is filled with blood causing the penis to become erect.

Accessory glands: There are three types of accessory glands as seminal vesicles, prostate glands, and Cowper’s glands.

Seminal vesicles: Secrete a mucus and watery alkaline fluid that contains nutrients including the sugar fructose. This is used as an energy source. When sperm are ejaculating this fluid is emptied by each seminal vesicle into the ejaculatory duct. There are chemicals that help sperms to penetrate the cervical mucus and cause the peristaltic movement (wave-like movement) of the uterus and Fallopian tube.

Prostate glands: Secrete mucus and the slightly alkaline fluid helps to neutralize the acidity of the vagina.

 Cowper’s glands: Secretes mucus and alkaline fluid into the urethra.

Not like in females, males have only one aperture to pass urine and semen. That is common for both systems and called urinogenital opening. But in females, there are two apertures as urethral opening (to pass urine) and vaginal opening (to take in sperm).

                                  Through these apertures or openings, internal systems can be contacted with the exterior. Therefore, microorganisms can enter inside and microbial infections may have occurred. So sometimes, bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases can be found especially in the external genitalia in both males and females. And most of these diseases are contagious and called sexually transmitted diseases. To prevent these diseases personal hygiene is very important. Wearing synthetic underwear is a normal habit in the young population. These will not absorb sweating. Therefore, microorganisms like bacteria and fungi can grow easily in such wet media. On the other hand, the temperature will be increased when they wear synthetic garments and this will reduce the life span of sperms. The other thing is the externally situated scrotal sacs are easily affected by harmful rays. Exposure to harmful rays such as X-rays will lead to abnormalities in genetic material hence deformities in new borne. There is a risk to the persons who work in the industries which use radioactive elements and the persons who worked as radiographers to develop such abnormalities in their sperms. 

           SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI)

These are the diseases found in the organs of reproductive systems (sex Organs) of both male and female

The diseases which are caused by viruses, parasitic protozoa, fungi, or bacteria which can be transferred from one person to another through vaginal and anal intercourse or oral sex are called sexually transmitted infections

                There are various types of STI (diseases) that are caused by different types of bacteria and viruses. The following table shows the causative agents and the names of the diseases.

Causative agent	Name of the disease
1. Tryponema pallidum             A bacterium	1.Syphilis
2. Neisseria gonnorrhoea            A bacterium	2. Gonorrhea
3. Human alpha herpes           A virus	3.Genital herpes
4. Chlamydia trachomatis           A bacterium	4. Nongonococcal urithritis
5.  Trichomonas vaginalis           A protozoan flagellate	5. Trichomoniasis
6. Candida albicans            A fungus	6. Urithritis
7. Human Papilloma virus 8.HumanImmunodeficiency  Virus	7.Genital warts 8. AIDS

                                                Table

                                               

Now we can consider the symptoms of these sexually transmitted

 infections. All the symptoms are due to the parasitic growth of the

 causative agents. When they invade and live in human cells they get

 nourishment from these cells to grow. Further, they secreted back

 harmful substances into the cells. Because of these secretions sores

 and blisters may occur on genitals. Sometimes these toxic

 substances enter to the blood stream and circulate throughout the

 body. So, fever and damage to the internal organs may occur. So, the

 situation will be more complicated and can be shown up many

 symptoms related to it.

 1. Syphilis: Sores or ulcers at any part of the body such as vagina, penis, lips, fingers and nipples can be seen. These sores heal in 3-8 weeks on their own. The next phase 6-8 weeks later includes fever, skin rashes. The patient is highly infectious. If not treated many tissues will damage including the heart and central nervous system.

2. Gonnorrhoea: Affects mainly the mucous membranes of the urinogenital tract. In males, burning sensation and feeling of discomfort on passing urine. A yellowish discharge of puss will pass from the urethra. Fever, headache, and the general feeling of illness will prevail. In females infection of the cervix and urethra is common. Fallopian tubes may infect and eventually, sterility will result. Foetus also may affect diseased mothers and its eyes may get infected.

3. Genital Herpes: If once enter the body virus can persist with no symptoms for long periods. The virus will activate from time to time and shows painful symptoms in the genitalia therefore infected person can be infectious for a long period.

Symptoms:  At first water-filled blisters can be seen in the genitals. Blisters may contain viruses and therefore the others who get contacted with the secretions of the blisters may get the disease. Later these become painful sores. These sores heal in 10-14 days on their own. Sometimes pain and burning sensations occur when passing urine. A feverish feeling may occur.

The cure is not found yet. But can control the disease by

• Keeping the infected area clean and dry
• Drinking more water
• Eating more fresh fruits and  vegetables

4.  Nongonococcal Urethritis: A bacterial infection. Symptoms in males are burning sensation in the urethra and pain in the lower abdomen. A whitish discharge will occur from the urethra in the morning.

In females; the cervix may also be infected. Occasionally whitish discharge from the vagina can be seen.  Burning sensation in urination and frequent urination occur.

5. Trichomoniasis: Invade vagina. The infection causes foamy, green coloured discharge from the vagina. Small reddish patches can be seen on the wall of the vagina

6. Urethritis: A fungal infection. Males normally show no symptoms. But sometimes, sores can be seen on the penis. In females, more discharge will occur, burning sensation and itching of the vagina. Whitish patches can be seen on the wall of the vagina.

7. Genital warts: Few weeks or months after the infection in females around the vagina and males around the penis can see pink coloured cock’s comb-like warts one or more. These start as small warts and soon become large and can be seen as cauli flowers. Sometimes warts can be seen on the vaginal wall in females and along the penis in males. These warts can be removed by surgeries. Later this may cause cancer in the cervix of the uterus.

8.  AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Causative agent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

After entering the human body through body fluids (such as blood, and other secretions) genes of the virus can enter the human cells and can develop within the genetic material of the human cell.

                          The incubation period may be many years. In this period though the infected person does not show the symptoms but can act as a vector.

Method of infection:

A causative agent (HIVirus) can be found in the body fluids of the infected person so direct contact of those body fluids with the blood of a healthy person will cause the disease. Further, vaginal, anal sexual intercourse or oral sex will make fine scratches on delicate tissues of those areas so the blood can mix with the virus.

• Having sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal) or oral sex with an infected person
• Using common syringes needles, blades, and razors with the blood of infected people especially when they inject drugs and get shavings and when tattooing their skins
• Entry of the infected blood through cuts and scratches on the body.
• Having blood transfusion from an infected prison
• Infected mother will transmit the disease to her child

In some patients, it takes 9 years to develop the disease. Some may live more than 15 years. In their incubation period virus can be seen in lymph glands. But it takes time to develop the disease because the body has some stored antigens for viral immune systems. Gradually these finished and show the symptoms. After 7or 8 years immune system completely breaks down and becomes susceptible to many infectious diseases.

Symptoms:

• Weight loss within a short period
• Chronic diarrhea
• Long-lasting fever
• Continuous lung infection wheezes, cough, and fatigue ness
• Difficulties in swallowing due to infection of Candida (A fungal infection)
• Black spots on the skin

There are drugs to suppress the disease but not to cure the disease. Diagnosis can be done by testing blood for the presence of antigens of those diseases. Syphilis, genital warts, and HIV can be identified in this way.

How to prevent the disease?

• Confine to one trusted partner
• Use a condom in every risky relationship
• Do not use common razors and blades in shaving
• Use a new or sterilized injection needle when getting injections
• Be aware of the methods of infecting and spreading the disease.

Mosquitoes will not spread the disease.