Found at the tip of the sperm above the nucleus. It contains enzymes that break down the jelly coat surrounding the female egg thus allowing the sperm nucleus entry into the egg.
acrosome
Period of time between childhood and adulthood; person growing up, maturing.
adolescence
Placenta, membranes that surrounded the foetus and remains of umbilical cord discharged from the uterus after the birth of the baby.
afterbirth
A method of testing the foetus in the uterus (womb) for chromosomal disorders. A sample of amniotic fluid is withdrawn from the uterus using a needle and the fluid and foetal cells it contains are analysed.
amniocentesis
Fluid-filled membrane surrounding foetus (developing baby) in the uterus (womb).
amnion
The fluid (liquid) that surrounds a developing foetus in the uterus (womb). It acts as a shock absorber.
amniotic fluid
A fluid-filled sac/bag, found in the uterus of pregnant females, containing the developing embryo.
amniotic sac
The artificial positioning of sperm into the genital tract of the female to encourage fertilisation and implantation.
artificial insemination (AI)
The process of bringing a newborn into the world – occurs in three stages.
birth / parturition
Holds the erect penis during intercourse. Also, the new baby arrives into the world from the uterus (womb) through here.
birth canal / vagina
Limiting the number of children born.
birth control
A hollow, fluid-filled sphere of cells that develops from the morula. Attached to the inner surface of the outer layer of cells (trophoblast) is an inner mass of cells from which the embryo develops.
blastocyst
Suckling a child at mother's breast. It gives a baby the best possible start in life.
breast-feeding
Neck or neck-like structure, e.g. neck of womb (uterus).
Ring of muscle to retain developing embryo.
cervix
Outermost membrane surrounding the embryo, involved in placenta formation.
chorion
Finger-like projections of the chorion of the embryo.
chorionic villi
Removal of the foreskin in males for medical or religious reasons or the removal of the female clitoris for religious reasons.
circumcision
Small internal erectile structure of the female mammalian genitals similar in structure and position
(i.e. homologous) to male penis.
clitoris
The first milk produced by a mammal after parturition (birth). It is a thick, yellowish liquid containing proteins and antibodies, and is later replaced by breast milk.
colostrum
The very beginning of a pregnancy when an egg is fertilised by a sperm, develops into a blastocyst and is implanted in the wall of the womb (uterus),
i.e. fertilisation followed by implantation.
conception
A rubber-like sheath worn:
· by males, over the erect penis
· by females, inserted into the vagina, before sexual intercourse to prevent sperm entering the female vagina.
It is a barrier method of contraception.
condom
The act of preventing the fertilisation of an egg or implantation or pregnancy. Different methods include: natural, mechanical, chemical and surgical.
contraception
A process of introducing sperm into the female’s reproductive system.
copulation
A yellow body that develops in the ovary after the rupture of the Graafian follicle (ovulation). It is a source of progesterone, persists if pregnancy has occurred.
corpus luteum
Situated below the prostate and is involved in the manufacture of seminal fluid and provides nourishment and a medium for sperm to swim.
Cowper’s gland
Widen, open up, expand, e.g. happens to the cervix prior to giving birth.
dilate
Embryo having two primary germ layers, i.e. ectoderm and endoderm.
diploblastic
Outer of the three primary germ layers. Gives rise to skin, hair and nails.
ectoderm
Sphere-shaped body produced by female, containing germ of new individual. Capable of developing into new individual when fertilised by male sperm. After ovulation it can be fertilised for a period of about 48 hours.
egg
The forcible ejection of seminal fluid.
ejaculation
Fertilised egg or immature animal in uterus (up to eight weeks in humans).
embryo
The innermost of the primary germ layers. Gives rise to the linings of the alimentary canal, trachea and bronchi.
endoderm
undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.
endometrium
epididymis
Tube that joins the ovary and the uterus and transfers the egg to the uterus. Fertilisation usually occurs here.
fallopian tube / oviduct
Using birth control methods (contraception) to plan the number of children in a family.
family planning
All the organs involved in gamete formation, copulation, fertilisation and development of the young in the female.
female reproductive system
A short time during which it is possible for a sperm to fertilise an egg, e.g. in a 28 day menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs on day 14. Sperm can survive for about 48 hours in the female body. The egg is capable of being fertilised for about 48 hours after ovulation. If sexual intercourse occurs between days 12 and 16 it is possible that fertilisation could occur.
fertile period
The union of a haploid male gamete nucleus with a haploid female gamete nucleus resulting in the formation of a diploid zygote. In the human female this occurs about halfway along the fallopian tube.
fertilisation
An egg whose nucleus has joined with the nucleus of a male gamete.
fertilised egg / zygote
They range in size from a pea to an orange. Consist of
muscle and connective (fibrous) tissue and grow slowly in the uterine wall. Mostly occurring in women over 30, often multiple and cause discomfort. Thought to be associated with the levels of oestrogen. Oral contraceptives containing oestrogen can cause them to enlarge.
fibroids
developed animal. In humans from eight weeks after
fertilisation until birth.
foetus
Fluid-filled sac in the ovary in which the egg develops.
follicle
Sex hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Stimulates sperm production in the male, and egg and oestrogen production in the female.
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
The loose skin that covers the end of the penis.
Removed during circumcision.
foreskin
Any cell which must fuse with another cell in order to produce a new individual. A haploid reproductive cell,
i.e. it contains half the required genetic information for the formation of a new individual or half the somatic number of chromosomes (in humans = 23), e.g. sperm cell, egg.
gamete
External organs of reproduction – sex organs.
genitals
A portion of a group of cells capable of developing into the various different tissues and organs of a new individual. Cells in the human blastocyst arrange themselves into three layers and give rise to the following tissues:
· ectoderm – skin, hair, nails
· mesoderm – muscles, skeleton, kidneys
· endoderm – linings of the alimentary canal, trachea and bronchi.
germ layer
Length of time from conception to birth, i.e. length of pregnancy, carrying foetus in womb (uterus).
In humans = 40 weeks or 266 days.
gestation period
An animal organ that produces gametes, e.g. testis in the male and ovary in the female.
gonad
Fluid-filled vesicle in ovary of female mammal containing an egg.
Graafian follicle
Hormone secreted by an implanting fertilised egg (blastocyst). It maintains the corpus luteum in the ovary (until the ninth week of the gestation period, after which the placenta takes over) and prevents the breakdown of the endometrium. The analysis of urine for the presence of this hormone is used to confirm pregnancy.
HCG / human chorionic gonadotrophin
Process by which the blastocyst attaches itself to, and becomes embedded in, the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This process may be attempted artificially as part of in-vitro fertilisation for the treatment of infertility.
implantation
Funnel at end of oviduct that catches the egg after ovulation and directs it into the oviduct.
infandibulum
The inability to produce sufficient gametes and conceive or produce children. May be caused by a low sperm count or low sperm mobility in males, blocked fallopian tubes in females or endocrine gland failure in either or both.
infertility
The positioning of sperm into the genital tract of the female to encourage fertilisation and implantation. Done artificially or with the erect penis during sexual intercourse.
insemination
uterus or womb.
interstitial cells
intrauterine development
A plastic and copper device used as a method of contraception. It is inserted into the uterus (womb) and it prevents implantation of a fertilized egg. It is about 90% effective.
intrauterine device
A method used to treat infertility and help a woman conceive. It involves the union of the male gamete nucleus with the female gamete nucleus outside the woman’s body (in a ‘test tube’ or other laboratory environment).
in-vitro fertilisation
An event or process occurring inside a living organism,
e.g. fertilisation.
in-vivo
Pains of giving birth (parturition) caused by contractions of the uterus.
labour
Milk production by the breasts of mammals.
lactation
Cells found between the seminiferous tubules of the testis, which secrete testosterone.
Leydig cells
pituitary. Causes ovulation in the female on day 14 of a
28 day menstrual cycle and stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone. In the male it stimulates the testes to produce testosterone.
luteinising hormone / LH
copulation in the male.
male reproductive system
Period in a woman’s life between the ages of 40 and 50 during which menstruation stops.
menopause
A series of cyclical changes undergone by the uterus in preparation for receiving a fertilised egg. Takes about 28 days in the human female, controlled by hormones.
menstrual cycle
The discharge of menstrual fluid consisting of blood, lining of womb (endometrium) and unfertilised egg, which occurs monthly from puberty to menopause.
menstruation / period
The middle layer of the three primary germ layers of a triploblastic organism, from which muscles, skeleton, kidneys, etc. develop.
mesoderm
A solid mass of cells resulting from a series of mitotic divisions of a fertilised egg, before the blastocyst stage.
morula
The outer muscular wall of the uterus.
myometrium
A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries.
· Stimulates proliferation of uterine wall (endometrium).
· Inhibits FSH production.
· Stimulates LH production, and
· Maintains the female secondary sexual characteristics.
oestrogen
Pleasurable sensation felt by males while ejaculating and by females when clitoris or vagina is stimulated.
orgasm
The changes that take place in an ovary from the beginning of one menstruation to the onset of the next.
ovarian cycle
In animals, female reproductive organ producing eggs and is also an endocrine gland producing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
ovary
The release of an egg (ovum) from the Graafian follicle of the ovary into the fallopian tube.
ovulation
A hormone produced by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in response to the sudden fall in the levels of oestrogen and progesterone. It stimulates contractions of the uterus during labour.
oxytocin
The male urinogenital organ, i.e. used in excretion and copulation. Eliminates urine through the urethra and deposits sperm in vagina.
penis
A tablet that contains the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, taken daily, to prevent ovulation.
pill (contraceptive)
A structure attached to the inner surface of the womb (uterus) of pregnant mammals, which helps to nourish the foetus, and discharges its waste.
placenta
Carrying developing young in womb (uterus).
pregnancy
Physical characteristics or features that distinguish males and females at their birth.
primary sexual characteristics
A hormone produced by the ovaries. Stimulates endometrium (lining of womb) growth in preparation for and during pregnancy.
progesterone
A hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary, which stimulates milk production in mammary glands (breasts) and inhibits FSH production by the pituitary.
prolactin
Becoming capable of reproduction through natural development of the reproductive system.
puberty
A hormone secreted by the placenta. Relaxes the joints of the pelvic girdle and aids in the dilation of the cervix.
relaxin
The ability of an organism to produce new individuals of its own kind by either sexual or asexual means and pass on genetic information to the next generation.
reproduction
All the organs involved in gamete formation, fertilisation and development of the young.
reproductive system
External pouch in most male mammals that contains (holds) the testes outside the body at a temperature slightly lower (35°C ) than body temperature (37°C in humans) for the efficient production of sperm.
scrotum
The physical characteristics that appear during puberty and adolescence. In the male they include the broadening of the shoulders, growth and enlargement of the penis, deepening of the voice, body and facial hair, etc. In the female they include enlargement and growth of the breasts, growth of body hair under arms and pu- bic regions.
secondary sexual characteristics
Seminal fluid produced by the male that contains the sperm, together with fluid from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper’s gland.
semen
Manufactures seminal fluid (semen) which nourishes the sperm and allows them swim.
seminal vesicle
Small coiled tubes in the testes that produce sperm by meiosis.
seminiferous tubules
Hormones produced in the gonads which promote the development and maintenance of the secondary sexual characteristics and structures. They also prepare the female for pregnancy, and aid in gamete formation. Males produce testosterone and females produce oestrogen and progesterone.
sex hormones
Occurs in three phases—arousal, copulation and orgasm.
sexual intercourse
Reproduction involving the production, transfer and union of sex cells or gametes and development of the embryo. Two parents involved (plant or animal), one male and one female.
sexual reproduction
A mature male haploid gamete. They can survive for about 48 hours inside the human female reproductive system.