Animal Reproduction
CHAPTER 46
Types of Reproduction
Asexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Asexual Reproduction
Results in offspring that receive all genes from one parent (no
fusion of egg and sperm, no mixing of genes)
Advantages
Isolated individuals can still reproduce
No energy spent on locating mates
Many offspring produced in a short period of time
Perpetuates successful genotypes
Types of Asexual
Reproduction
Fission: splitting of parent into two or
more individuals of nearly equal size;
e.g. Planaria
Budding: new individual splits from
existing parent: e.g. Obelia and some
other Cnidarians
Types of Asexual
Reproduction
Gemmules: specialized group of cells
released from parent to form new individual;
e.g. Sponges
Fragmentation: new individuals grow from
broken pieces of parent; coupled with
regeneration (regrowth of body parts); e.g.
polychaetes, sponges, cnidarians
Parthenogenesis
Egg develops without fertilization
Example: Daphnia; male honeybees; some
amphibians, fishes, and lizards
Alternating Reproductive
Strategies
E.g. Depends on environmental factors
Asexual: during favorable conditions
Sexual: during times of environmental
stress
E. g. Sexual reproduction and
parthenogenesis in Daphnia and aphids
Hermaphroditism
An individual has both male and female reproductive
systems
Most cannot self-fertilize.
Twice as many offspring because each receives and
donates sperm
Sequential
Hermaphroditism
Individual changes sex during lifetime
Protogynous: female first
e. g. Caribbean blue head wrasse
Why? Males have harems.
Protandrous: male first
e. g. Some oysters
Why? Any age/sized male produces a lot of sperm. Only
larger/older females can produce a lot of eggs.
Sexual Reproduction
In animals, requires the union of an egg and sperm
cell (resulting in a mixing of genetic material)
Fertilization: fusion of a sperm nucleus with an egg
nucleus
Sexual Reproduction
External fertilization: eggs released into environment
where fertilization occurs
Advantage: typically yields more offspring
Disadvantage: harder to protect fertilized eggs and
young offspring if remaining external
Sexual Reproduction
Internal fertilization: sperm released into or near
female’s reproductive tract where fertilization occurs
Advantage: protection of offspring
Disadvantage: typically yields fewer offspring
Mammalian Reproduction
Male reproductive system
Testes
Seminiferous tubules: sperm production
Leydig cells: hormone production
Scrotum: outcropping of body wall that
contains testes
Mammalian Reproduction
Male reproductive system
Epididymis
Sperm passes from seminiferous tubules to here
Sperm maturation
Mammalian Reproduction
Male reproductive system
Vas deferens: receives sperm from
epididymis
Seminal vesicle
Contributes 60% of the semen (sperm +
added secretions)
Produces alkaline fluid
Contains sugar used by sperm
Mammalian Reproduction
Male reproductive system
Ejaculatory duct
Begins where seminal vesicle and vas deferens merge
Leads to urethra
Mammalian Reproduction
Male reproductive system
Prostate gland
Produces anticoagulant enzymes
Secretes sperm nutrients
Mammalian Reproduction
Male reproductive system
Bulbourethral gland: secretes mucus that neutralizes
acidic urine still in urethra
Penis:
Organ of copulation
Contains urethra, erectile tissue, and sometimes a
baculum
Why don’t humans have a baculum? See…
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-humans-ha
ve-no-penis-bone
/#
Mammalian Reproduction
Female reproductive system
Ovaries
Follicle development
Follicle: egg cell surrounded by protective follicle
cell layers
Ovulation: egg cell released from follicle toward
oviducts
Corpus luteum: remaining follicle that produces
hormones to maintain uterine lining if egg is
fertilized
Mammalian Reproduction
Female Reproductive System
Oviducts
Finger-like projections guide egg toward
oviduct
Ciliated lining projects egg through
Where fertilization typically occurs
Mammalian Reproduction
Female Reproductive System
Uterus
Receives egg or developing embryo
Where internal development occurs
Cervix: inferior/posterior neck of uterus
Mammalian Reproduction
Female Reproductive System
Vagina
Birth canal
Receives penis during copulation
Female Mammalian
Reproductive Patterns
Menstrual cycle
Endometrium is shed if fertilization does not
occur
e.g. humans and other primates
Estrous cycle
Endometrium reabsorbed if fertilization
does not occur
Estrus: period of sexual activity that
corresponds with ovulation
e. g. most mammals including mice and
dogs
Human Gestation
Gestation: period of internal development
First trimester
Fertilization through 3rd month
Placenta forms
Organogenesis occurs
8th – 9th weeks: embryo is now a fetus
2nd and 3rd trimesters: continued growth and
development
