Reproductive Phase

Table of Contents

• Reproductive Phase
  • Males
  • Females
• Menstrual Cycle
• Summary
• Did You Know?
• What’s Next?

In the previous segment of the chapter ‘Reaching the Age of Adolescence’, we learnt about the hormones in animals. In this segment, let us get acquainted with the Reproductive phase in humans.

What is the Reproductive phase of humans?

The time period in which humans are capable of reproduction is called the Reproductive Phase. The individual is physically capable of reproduction on the onset of puberty. The case of males and females is different when it comes to the reproductive span.

What is the reproductive phase of males?

• In males, the development of testes causes the production of gametes (sperms).
• This process once started, does not terminate throughout the male’s life. Only the sperms produced can decrease in the count with age but the ability to reproduce still remains the same.
• Thus, males can reproduce throughout their lives.

What is the reproductive phase of females?

• In females, the reproductive phase is marked by the starting point called Menarche and concluded by the ending point called Menopause.
• The reproductive capacity of females is only found during a time period in between where the body undergoes a cycle called the Menstrual Cycle.
• Females cannot reproduce throughout their lives.

Reproductive phase in female

What is the Menstrual Cycle?

• A female experiences a bleeding phase in her life called the Menstrual phase.
• Reproduction in females requires an egg cell as the female gamete. The process of release of the egg cells (ova) from ovaries is called Ovulation. The reproduction will be possible only when egg cells are released.
• The ovaries will have a fixed number of immature egg cells stored inside them since birth. However, only on the onset of puberty, the egg cells are released one after the other. This will stop when the number of egg cells will come to an end. This phase is the reproductive phase in females.
• The commencing point of this phase is the Menarche and the occurrence differs from one female to the other. However, the average age range to expect Menarche is around 12 to 14 years.
• The time when this phase terminates is called Menopause. This time is also different in females but the average period is between 45 to 50 years.
• When one of the ovaries has released an egg cell, it goes straight to the fallopian tube and then moves further.
• If this egg gets fertilised, then the foetus will need a proper location for placental attachment. For this, a proper thick cushion layer made up of cells is formed inside the uterus called the Endometrium.