Human reproduction - Wikipedia Human reproduction From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search Procreative biological processes of humanity Part of a series on Sex Biological terms Sexual dimorphism Sexual differentiation Feminization Virilization Sex-determination system XY X0 ZW Z0 Temperature-dependent Haplodiploidy Heterogametic sex Homogametic sex Sex chromosome X chromosome Y chromosome Testis-determining factor Hermaphrodite Sequential hermaphroditism Intersex Sexual reproduction Evolution of sexual reproduction Anisogamy Isogamy Germ cell Meiosis Gametogenesis Spermatogenesis Oogenesis Gamete spermatozoon ovum Fertilization External fertilization Internal fertilization Sexual selection Plant reproduction Fungal reproduction Sexual reproduction in animals Sexual intercourse Copulation Human reproduction Lordosis behavior Pelvic thrust Sexuality Plant sexuality Animal sexuality Human sexuality Mechanics Differentiation Activity v t e Human reproduction is any form of sexual reproduction resulting in human fertilization. It typically involves sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. During sexual intercourse, the interaction between the male and female reproductive systems results in fertilization of the woman's ovum by the man's sperm. These are specialized reproductive cells called gametes, created in a process called meiosis. While normal cells contains 46 chromosomes, 23 pairs, gamete cells only contain 23 chromosomes, and it is when these two cells merge into one zygote cell that genetic recombination occurs and the new zygote contains 23 chromosomes from each parent, giving them 23 pairs. A typical 9-month gestation period is followed by childbirth. The fertilization of the ovum may be achieved by artificial insemination methods, which do not involve sexual intercourse. Assisted reproductive technology also exists. Contents 1 Anatomy 1.1 Human male 1.2 Human female 2 Process of fertilization 2.1 Copulation 2.2 Alternative methods 2.3 Pregnancy 2.4 Birth 2.5 Parental care 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading Anatomy[edit] Lao students study a display about the human reproductive system. Exhibits such as this are rare in many less-developed countries, such as Laos. This event was held by Big Brother Mouse, a literacy and education project, which added Lao explanations to a commercially available set of panels that were printed with English. Further information: Human reproductive system Human male[edit] Further information: Human male reproductive system The male reproductive system contains two main divisions: the testes where sperm are produced, and the penis. In humans, both of these organs are outside the abdominal cavity. Having the testes outside the abdomen facilitates temperature regulation of the sperm, which require specific temperatures to survive about 2-3 °C less than the normal body temperature i.e. 37 °C. In particular, the extraperitoneal location of the testes may result in a 2-fold reduction in the heat-induced contribution to the spontaneous mutation rate in male germinal tissues compared to tissues at 37 °C.[1] If the testicles remain too close to the body, it is likely that the increase in temperature will harm the spermatozoa formation, making conception more difficult. This is why the testes are carried in an external pouch viz. scrotum rather than within the abdomen; they normally remain slightly cooler than body temperature, facilitating sperm production. Human female[edit] Further information: Female reproductive system The female reproductive system likewise contains two main divisions: the vagina and the Ovum. The ovum meets with sperm cell, a sperm may penetrate and merge with the egg, fertilizing it with the help of certain hydrolytic enzymes present in the acrosome. The fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, but can happen in the uterus itself. The zygote then becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus, where it begins the processes of embryogenesis and morphogenesis. When the fetus is developed enough to survive outside of the uterus, the cervix dilates and contractions of the uterus propel it through the birth canal, which is the vagina. The ova, which are the female sex cells, are much larger than the spermatozoon and are normally formed within the ovaries of the female fetus before its birth. They are mostly fixed in location within the ovary until their transit to the uterus, and contain nutrients for the later zygote and embryo. Over a, usually, regular interval known as the menstrual cycle, in response to hormonal signals, a process of oogenesis matures one ovum which is released and sent down the Fallopian tube. If not fertilized, this egg is flushed out of the system through menstruation. Process of fertilization[edit] This model of the biological life cycle of a human shows the basic processes involved and the order that they are in. "Coition of a Hemisected Man and Woman" (c. 1492) by Leonardo da Vinci. Human reproduction normally begins with copulation, followed by nine months of pregnancy before childbirth, though it may be achieved through artificial insemination. Many years of parental care are required before a human child becomes independent, typically between twelve and eighteen or more. Pregnancy can be avoided with the use of contraceptives such as condoms and Intrauterine devices. Copulation[edit] Main article: Sexual intercourse Human reproduction naturally takes place as internal fertilization by sexual intercourse. During this process, the male inserts his penis, which needs to be erect, into the female's vagina, and then either partner initiates rhythmic pelvic thrusts until the male ejaculates semen, which contains sperm, into the vaginal canal. This process is also known as "coitus", "mating", "having sex", or, euphemistically, "making love". The sperm and the ovum are known as gametes (each containing half the genetic information of the parent, created through meiosis). The sperm (being one of approximately 250 million sperm in a typical male ejaculation) travels through the vagina and cervix into the uterus or Fallopian tubes. Only 1 in 14 million of the ejaculated sperm will reach the Fallopian tube. The egg simultaneously moves through the Fallopian tube away from the ovary. One of the sperm encounters, penetrates and fertilizes the ovum, creating a zygote. Upon fertilization and implantation, gestation of the fetus then occurs within the female's uterus.[2][3][4][5] Chance of fertilization by menstrual cycle day relative to ovulation.[6] Pregnancy rates for sexual intercourse are highest during the menstrual cycle time from some 5 days before until 1 to 2 days after ovulation.[7] For optimal pregnancy chance, there are recommendations of sexual intercourse every 1 or 2 days,[8] or every 2 or 3 days.[9] Studies have shown no significant difference between different sex positions and pregnancy rate, as long as it results in ejaculation into the vagina.[10] Alternative methods[edit] As an alternative to natural sexual intercourse, there exists artificial insemination, where sperm is introduced into the female reproductive system. There are also many methods of assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, where one or more egg cells are retrieved from a woman's ovaries and co-incubated with sperm outside the body. The resulting embryo can then be reinserted into the woman's womb. Pregnancy[edit] Main article: Pregnancy Pregnancy is the period of time during which the fetus develops, dividing via mitosis inside the female. During this time, the fetus receives all of its nutrition and oxygenated blood from the female, filtered through the placenta, which is attached to the fetus' abdomen via an umbilical cord. This drain of nutrients can be quite taxing on the female, who is required to ingest slightly higher levels of calories. In addition, certain vitamins and other nutrients are required in greater quantities than normal, often creating abnormal eating habits. Gestation period is about 266 days in humans. While in the uterus, the baby first endures a very brief zygote stage, then the embryonic stage, which is marked by the development of major organs and lasts for approximately eight weeks, then the fetal stage, which revolves around the development of bone cells while the fetus continues to grow in size.[11] Birth[edit] Newborn infant and mother Main article: Childbirth Once the fetus is sufficiently developed, chemical signals begin the process of birth, which begins with the fetus being pushed out of the birthing canal. The newborn, which is called an infant in humans, should typically begin respiration on its own shortly after birth. Not long after, the placenta eventually falls off on its own. The person assisting the birth may also sever the umbilical cord. Parental care[edit] Main article: Parenting A human baby is nearly helpless and the growing child requires high levels of parental care for many years. One important type of early parental care is lactation, feeding the baby milk from the mother's mammary glands in her breasts.[12] See also[edit] Heterosexuality Antinatalism Evolution of sexual reproduction Female infertility Human Reproduction (journal) Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences Male infertility Natalism Paternal age effect Reproduction Reproductive system Legislation on human reproduction Reproductive health References[edit] ^ Baltz RH, Bingham PM, Drake JW (1976). "Heat mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4: The transition pathway". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 73 (4): 1269–1273. Bibcode:1976PNAS...73.1269B. doi:10.1073/pnas.73.4.1269. PMC 430244. PMID 4797.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) ^ Ghazal, S, Kulp Makarov, J; et al. (2014). "Egg Transport and Fertilization". The Global Library of Women's Medicine. doi:10.3843/GLOWM.10317. ISSN 1756-2228. Retrieved May 8, 2016.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) ^ "Conception: How It Works". The Regents of The University of California. 2002. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ "Fertility Basics". Complete Fertility Centre Southampton. Complete Fertility Ltd. 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ "Conception & Pregnancy: Ovulation, Fertilization, and More". WebMD, LLC. 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016. ^ Dunson, D.B.; Baird, D.D.; Wilcox, A.J.; Weinberg, C.R. (1999). "Day-specific probabilities of clinical pregnancy based on two studies with imperfect measures of ovulation". Human Reproduction. 14 (7): 1835–1839. doi:10.1093/humrep/14.7.1835. ISSN 1460-2350. PMID 10402400. ^ Pages.242,374 in: Weschler, Toni (2002). Taking Charge of Your Fertility (Revised ed.). New York: HarperCollins. pp. 359–361. ISBN 0-06-093764-5. ^ "How to get pregnant". Mayo Clinic. 2016-11-02. Retrieved 2018-02-16. ^ "Fertility problems: assessment and treatment, Clinical guideline [CG156]". National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Retrieved 2018-02-16. Published date: February 2013. Last updated: September 2017 ^ Dr. Philip B. Imler & David Wilbanks. "The Essential Guide to Getting Pregnant" (PDF). American Pregnancy Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2018-02-16. ^ Feist, Gregory J.; Rosenberg, Erika L. (11 October 2011). Psychology: Perspectives and Connections (Second ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. (171–172). ISBN 978-0-07-803520-3. ^ Sexual Reproduction in Humans. 2006. John W. Kimball. Kimball's Biology Pages, and online textbook. Further reading[edit] Hopwood, Nick, Rebecca Flemming, Lauren Kassell, eds. Reproduction: Antiquity to the Present Day (Cambridge UP, 2018). Illustrations. xxxv + 730 pp. ISBN 978-1-107-06802-5 excerpt also online review 44 scholarly essays by historians. v t e Pregnancy and childbirth Planning Birth control Natural family planning Pre-conception counseling Conception Assisted reproductive technology Artificial insemination Fertility medication In vitro fertilisation Fertility awareness Unintended pregnancy Testing 3D ultrasound Obstetric ultrasonography Pregnancy test Home testing Prenatal diagnosis Prenatal Anatomy Amniotic fluid Amniotic sac Endometrium Placenta Development Fundal height Gestational age Human embryogenesis Maternal physiological changes Postpartum physiological changes Care Nutrition Environmental toxicants In pregnancy Prenatal Concomitant conditions Drinking Diabetes mellitus Smoking Vaping SLE Sexual activity during pregnancy Procedures Amniocentesis Cardiotocography Chorionic villus sampling Nonstress test Abortion Childbirth Preparation Bradley method Hypnobirthing Lamaze Nesting instinct Roles Doula Birth attendant Men's roles Midwife Obstetrician Perinatal nurse Traditional birth attendant Delivery Bloody show Childbirth positions Home birth Multiple birth Natural childbirth Pelvimetry / Bishop score Cervical dilation Cervical effacement Position Presentation Breech Cephalic Shoulder Rupture of membranes Unassisted childbirth Uterine contraction Water birth Postpartum Maternal Postpartum confinement Sex after pregnancy Psychiatric disorders of childbirth Postpartum physiological changes Roles Doula Health visitor Lactation consultant Monthly nurse Confinement nanny Infant Adaptation to extrauterine life Child care Congenital disorders Obstetric history Gravidity and parity v t e Human physiology of sexual reproduction Menstrual cycle Menarche Menstruation Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase Gametogenesis Spermatogenesis spermatogonium spermatocyte spermatid sperm Oogenesis oogonium oocyte ootid ovum Germ cell gonocyte gamete Human sexual activity Sexual arousal Sexual intercourse Masturbation Erection Orgasm Ejaculation Insemination Fertilization / Fertility Implantation Pregnancy Postpartum period Mechanics of sex Development of the reproductive system Sexual differentiation Sexual dimorphism Feminization Virilization Puberty Gonadarche Tanner scale Pubarche Menarche Spermarche Adrenarche Maternal age / Paternal age Menopause Egg Ovum Oviposition Oviparity Ovoviviparity Vivipary Reproductive endocrinology and infertility Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis Hypothalamic–pituitary–prolactin axis Andrology Hormone Breast Thelarche Development Lactation Breastfeeding Human reproductive system Male Female Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Human_reproduction&oldid=990770351" Categories: Human reproduction Hidden categories: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Navigation menu Personal tools Not logged in Talk Contributions Create account Log in Namespaces Article Talk Variants Views Read Edit View history More Search Navigation Main page Contents Current events Random article About Wikipedia Contact us Donate Contribute Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file Tools What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Wikidata item Print/export Download as PDF Printable version In other projects Wikimedia Commons Languages العربية বাংলা Čeština فارسی Français ქართული සිංහල Simple English سنڌي Svenska ไทย Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 26 November 2020, at 11:53 (UTC). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers Contact Wikipedia Mobile view Developers Statistics Cookie statement