[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Physiology](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/) › Reproduction, pregnancy and the fetus # Reproduction, pregnancy and the fetus Male and female physiology, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, lactation and the fetal circulation. 23 pages ## Exam priority: high - [**Fetal circulation and the transition at birth** Mechanism · Before birth the placenta does the work of the lungs, so blood bypasses them through three…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/fetal-circulation-and-the-transition-at-birth/) - [**Maternal physiological changes in pregnancy** Regulation · In pregnancy the mother's blood volume, heart output, breathing and kidneys all step up to feed…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/maternal-physiological-changes-in-pregnancy/) - [**The male gonadal axis and spermatogenesis** Regulation · The brain sends pulsed signals to the testes, which make testosterone and, over about two and a…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-male-gonadal-axis-and-spermatogenesis/) - [**The menstrual cycle: ovary and endometrium** Regulation · About once a month the ovary ripens an egg and the uterine lining thickens; if no pregnancy…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-menstrual-cycle-ovary-and-endometrium/) ## Exam priority: medium - [**Actions of estrogen and progesterone** Mechanism · Estrogen builds and grows female tissues and protects bone; progesterone prepares the uterus for…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/actions-of-estrogen-and-progesterone/) - [**Fertilization and implantation** Mechanism · A sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tube; the fertilized egg divides, travels to the uterus…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/fertilization-and-implantation/) - [**Fetal metabolism and the newborn's nutritional needs** Concept · The fetus runs on maternal glucose and stores fat, glycogen, iron and calcium late in pregnancy](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/fetal-metabolism-and-the-newborn-s-nutritional-needs/) - [**Lactation** Regulation · After birth prolactin makes the breast produce milk and oxytocin squeezes it out when the baby…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/lactation/) - [**Maternal hormones, metabolism and nutrition in pregnancy** Regulation · Pregnancy resets the mother's glands and metabolism to feed the fetus: more thyroid, cortisol…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/maternal-hormones-metabolism-and-nutrition-in-pregnancy/) - [**Menopause** Regulation · Menopause is the end of periods when the ovaries run out of follicles; estrogen falls and the…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/menopause/) - [**Newborn physiology and fetal maturation** Concept · At birth the baby must breathe, keep warm, feed and clear bilirubin on its own; the lungs, liver…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/newborn-physiology-and-fetal-maturation/) - [**Oogenesis, follicles and ovulation** Mechanism · Girls are born with all their eggs, paused halfway through division; each month one of them…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/oogenesis-follicles-and-ovulation/) - [**Parturition: onset and uterine contraction** Regulation · At term the quiet uterus switches on: hormones and stretch make it contract more and more…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/parturition-onset-and-uterine-contraction/) - [**Placental exchange: oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and drugs** Mechanism · The fetus gets oxygen at low pressure because its hemoglobin grabs O₂ more tightly; most small…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/placental-exchange-oxygen-carbon-dioxide-nutrients-and-drugs/) - [**Puberty** Regulation · Puberty begins when the brain restarts pulses of GnRH; the gonads wake up and the body matures…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/puberty/) - [**Sperm maturation, semen and semen analysis** Measurement · Sperm made in the testis learn to swim in the epididymis; glands add fluid that feeds and…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/sperm-maturation-semen-and-semen-analysis/) - [**Testosterone and its actions** Mechanism · Testosterone builds male body features, muscle and sperm; part of it is turned into a stronger…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/testosterone-and-its-actions/) - [**The first breath: starting breathing at birth and birth asphyxia** Mechanism · Before birth the lungs are full of fluid and the fetus only practises breathing](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-first-breath-starting-breathing-at-birth-and-birth-asphyxia/) - [**The placenta and pregnancy hormones** Concept · The placenta passes oxygen and food to the baby and works as a hormone gland that keeps the…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-placenta-and-pregnancy-hormones/) ## For completeness - [**Erection and ejaculation** Mechanism · Erection is a blood-flow event controlled by parasympathetic nerves and nitric oxide…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/erection-and-ejaculation/) - [**Labor pain pathways and the puerperium** Concept · Early labor pain comes from the uterus and cervix (T10–L1); pushing-stage pain from the birth…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/labor-pain-pathways-and-the-puerperium/) - [**Sex determination and differentiation** Concept · A gene on the Y chromosome turns the early gonad into a testis; its hormones then build the male…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/sex-determination-and-differentiation/) - [**The female sexual response** Mechanism · Arousal fills the clitoris and vaginal walls with blood and makes the vagina moist; orgasm is a…](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/the-female-sexual-response/) ## A to Z - [A](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/a/) - [B](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/b/) - [C](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/c/) - [D](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/d/) - [E](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/e/) - [F](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/f/) - [G](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/g/) - [H](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/h/) - [I](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/i/) - [L](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/l/) - [M](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/m/) - [N](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/n/) - [O](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/o/) - [P](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/p/) - [R](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/r/) - [S](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/s/) - [T](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/t/) - [U](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/u/) - [V](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/v/) - [W](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/a-z/w/) [← Physiology](https://durgical.com/en/physiology/) Educational physiology content; not a diagnostic or treatment guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. Values are approximate references. No doses are given. Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/physiology/areas/repro/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/physiology/areas/repro/