Theseminal vesiclesproduce fructoseand other molecules that activate
spermatozoa.
Theprostateis a fibromuscularorgan that produces the enzymes
responsible for the liquefaction of the ejaculate.Virtually all males over 70
show some form of prostatic hypertrophy. Prostatic malignancies are
the second most common form of cancer in males.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMThe ovaries produce ova, estrogen, and progesteroneunder the influence
ofLHandFSH. Oocyte (germ cell)maturation involves several stages of
follicular development (granulosa cells plus the oocyte): primordial
follicle→primary follicle→secondary follicle →mature,orGraafian,
follicle. In the secondary follicle,thestroma differentiates into a theca.
Thetheca internasynthesizesandrogens,which are converted into estra-
diolbygranulosa cells.Afterovulation,thesethecal cellsform the theca
lutein;thegranulosa cellsbecome the granulosa lutein,which produces
progesterone(see figure below). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
in the placenta maintains the corpus luteum of pregnancy.
High-Yield Facts 35