The reproductive system is responsible for fertility and conception. Conception may occur when right things are synchronized with the right timing.
The female reproductive system includes the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix, and the vagina. The male reproductive system, includes the prostate, the testes, and the penis.
Female fertility relies on the ovaries to release healthy eggs. However, the number of eggs in the ovaries is specific. The peak number of eggs a woman ever has is at about 20 weeks before she is even born! The paradox is that no new eggs will made from this point on. The number of eggs will constantly decreased through a process which is called atresia.
Starting from the puberty with the onset of menarche, every month a batch of eggs are selected and start developing. These eggs decrease the reserves of eggs every month during a procedure which is called recruitment. The number of recruited eggs is highly dependent upon the age of the woman. Unfortunately, only one will grow enough every month while the others will die before being ovulated. Through her reproductive years a woman has roughly 300,000-400,000 eggs but only ovulates 300-400 of them. All the other will degenerate through atresia. Therefore, the average woman runs out of eggs and starts menopause around the age of 50 or in some cases even earlier.
Every month during the menstrual cycle a batch of follicles (a fluid-filled sac contains the egg) will start to grow. One of them will be selected to develop into a mature follicle which is called Dominant Follicle. The pituitary hormones are responsible for this procedure. The maturation of the dominant follicle and therefore of the egg inside the follicle, typically takes about 14 days. When the follicle reaches its’ fully mature state, the egg will be released during a procedure which is called ovulation. After the ovulation, the reproductive track must allow the egg to pass into the fallopian tube. This presupposes that the fallopian tubes are patent.
The male fertility relies on testicles, to produce enough healthy sperm. Starting from the puberty, spermatogenesis occurs following a cyclic pattern every 3 months. During the intercourse and given the fact that the sperm is ejaculated effectively into the vagina, the sperm will travel towards the egg in the fallopian tube.
The fallopian tube is the place where the egg meets the sperm for fertilization. The fertilized egg will stay in the fallopian tube for some days and afterward must travel to the uterus and implant into the endometrial cavity (lining of the womb).
The lining follows the maturation of the follicle during the menstrual cycle and in midcycle when ovulation occurs it has become thick enough and receptive in order to welcome the fertilized egg from the fallopian tube. The fertilized egg is now called embryo.
When the embryo meets the endometrium a variety of chemical, biological as well as unknown factors facilitate the implantation of the embryo into the lining. The weeks that follow the pregnancy will be established and the most exciting journey of life will start with final destination, which is Birth!