ABSTRACT
Reproduction is the process of species continuance through production of offspring. While bacteria and other simpler life forms are able to reproduce asexually, most complex organisms reproduce through a process of sexual reproduction, where genetic material from two parents (male and female) are fused to make the offspring. Reproduction is a complex and dynamic sequence of events, which are critically timed and under strict hormonal control. Sexual reproduction in mammals then consists of bringing the male and female gametes together, fusing them into one cell, called the zygote. The complexity of the continuum called reproduction is masked by a tendency to focus on discrete components of the process, such as sperm or egg cell or the embryo. However, reproductive capacity also encompasses pregnancy, embryonic and foetal development, lactation, child health, development and growth, puberty, behavioural development, reproductive senescence and the integration of reproductive functions with the overall health of the individual.
