User:Woollyworm/sandbox

= Reproductive Biology = Reproductive Biology includes both sexual and asexual reproduction.

Reproductive biology includes a wide number of fields:
 * Reproductive systems
 * Endocrinology
 * Sexual development (Puberty)
 * Sexual maturity
 * Reproduction
 * Fertility

Human Reproductive Biology
Main article: Human reproduction

Endocrinology
Main article: Endocrinology

Human reproductive biology is primarily controlled through hormones, which send signals to the human reproductive structures to influence growth and maturation. These hormones are secreted by endocrine glands, and spread to different tissues in the human body. In humans, the pituitary gland synthesizes hormones used to control the activity of endocrine glands.

Reproductive Systems
Main article: Reproductive system

Internal and external organs are included in the reproductive system. There are two reproductive systems including the male and female, which contain different organs from one another. These systems work together in order to produce offspring.

Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system includes the structures involved in ovulation, fertilization, development of an embryo, and birth. These structures include: Estrogen is one of the sexual reproductive hormones that aid in the sexual reproductive system of the female.
 * Ovaries
 * Oviducts
 * Uterus
 * Vagina
 * Mammary Glands

Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system includes sex accessory glands, sex accessory ducts, testes, and external genitalia.

Testosterone, although present in both males and females, is relatively more abundant in males. Testosterone serves as one of the sexual reproductive hormones in the male reproductive system.

Animal Reproductive Biology
Animal reproduction occurs by two modes of action, including both sexual and asexual reproduction. In asexual reproduction the generation of new organisms does not require the fusion sperm with an egg. However, in sexual reproduction new organisms are formed by the fusion of haploid sperm and eggs resulting in what is known as the zygote. Although animals exhibit both sexual and asexual reproduction the vast majority of animals reproduce by sexual reproduction.

Gametogenesis
Main article: Gametogenesis

Gametogenesis is the formation of gametes, or reproductive cells.

Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis is the production of sperm cells in the testis. In mature testes primordial germ cells divide mitotically to form the spermatogonia, which in turn generate spermatocytes by mitosis. Then each spermatocyte gives rise to four spermatids through meiosis. Spermatids are now haploid and undergo differentiation into sperm cells. Later in reproduction the sperm will fuse with a female oocyte to form the zygote.

Oogenesis
Oogenesis is the formation of a cell who will produce one ovum and three polar bodies. Oogenesis begins in the female embryo with the production of oogonia from primordial germ cells. Like spermatogenesis, the primordial germ cell undergo mitotic division to form the cells that will later undergo meiosis, but will be halted at the prophase I stage. This is known as the primary oocyte. Human females are born with all the primary oocytes they will ever have. Starting at puberty the process of meiosis can complete resulting in the secondary oocyte and the first polar body. The secondary oocyte can later be fertilized with the male sperm.