The reproductive system of an organism, also known as the genital system, is the biological system made up of all the anatomical organs involved in sexual reproduction. Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also important accessories to the reproductive system. Unlike most organ systems, the sexes of differentiated species often have significant differences. These differences allow for a combination of genetic material between two individuals, which allows for the possibility of greater genetic fitness of the offspring.
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Genital tract in the context of Vaginal
In mammals and other animals, the vagina (pl.: vaginas or vaginae) is the elastic, muscular reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix (neck of the uterus). The vaginal introitus is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen. The vagina allows for copulation and birth. It also channels menstrual flow, which occurs in humans and closely related primates as part of the menstrual cycle.
To accommodate smoother penetration of the vagina during sexual intercourse or other sexual activity, vaginal moisture increases during sexual arousal in human females and other female mammals. This increase in moisture provides vaginal lubrication, which reduces friction. The texture of the vaginal walls creates friction for the penis during sexual intercourse and stimulates it toward ejaculation, enabling fertilization. Along with pleasure and bonding, women's sexual behavior with other people can result in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the risk of which can be reduced by recommended safe sex practices. Other health issues may also affect the human vagina.
Genital tract in the context of Mycoplasma genitalium
Mycoplasma genitalium (also known as MG, Mgen, or since 2018, Mycoplasmoides genitalium) is a sexually transmitted, small pathogenic bacterium that lives on the mucous epithelial cells of the urinary and genital tracts in humans. Medical journals in 2007 and 2015 reported that Mgen is becoming more common. Resistance to multiple antibiotics, including the macrolide azithromycin, until recently the most reliable treatment, is becoming prevalent. The bacterium was first isolated from the urogenital tract of humans in 1981 and was identified as a new species of Mycoplasma in 1983. It increases the risk of HIV spread in men and women, with higher occurrences in those previously treated with azithromycin antibiotics.