Male
Reproductive
System
Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, the students should be able to:
1. Describe the location, appearance, and functions of both
internal and external male reproductive organs;
2. Discuss spermatogenesis and differentiate it from
oogenesis; and
3. Compare and contrast the sperm cell and the egg cell.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN
•Produce, maintain and transport sperm
cells and semen. Sperm cells are male
reproductive cells. Semen is the
protective fluid around sperm.
•Discharge sperm.
•Produce and secrete male sex hormones.
Internal Male Reproductive
Organs
Testes
• A normal human male has two
testes, also known as testicles.
• They are a pair of organs located in
the hollow sac of the scrotum.
•Each testis is made of
approximately 240 meters of
tubules where immature sperm
cells divide and differentiate to
become spermatozoa.
• Several hundred million sperms are
made daily from puberty onwards.
Epididymis and Vas Deferens
• Connected with the testes are a series of
tubules called the epididymis where
sperms continue to mature, are stored,
and acquire motility.
• From the epididymis, the sperms pass
through the vas deferens and to the
urethra.
• During ejaculation, the smooth muscle of
the walls of the vas deferens contract,
propelling sperm forward. In its way out,
it collects secretions from accessory
glands, producing semen.
Male Accessory Glands
• The PROSTATE is a gland that surrounds
the upper portion of the urethra.
• It contracts during ejaculation and
secretes a fluid which makes up around
30% of the volume of semen.
• Secretions from the prostate, the seminal
vesicles, and the Cowper's gland
neutralize harmful acids and support the
sperms with needed energy to swim up
into the uterus within 72 hours after
ejaculation before they die.
EJACULATORY DUCTS
• The ejaculatory ducts are
small muscular ducts
t h a t c a r r y t h e
spermatozoa and
seminal fluid to the
urethra.
• It connects the ducts of
the seminal vesicle and
the vas deferens.
Urethra
• The urethra is the tube that
connects the urinary bladder
to the outside.
• It is the passageway of both
the urine and the semen or
seminal fluid.
• Semen is a whitish fluid
made up of the mature
sperms and the secretions
from the accessory glands.
External Male Reproductive
Organs
Scrotum
• The scrotum is a thin-walled
muscular pouch and skin located
between the u p p e r p a r t s of t h e
thighs and behind the penis.
• It serves as a pouch outside the trunk
in which the testes are suspended,
ke e p i n g t h e m a t a t e m p e r a t u r e
slightly lower than that of the rest of
the body which is essential for sperm
production.
• The scrotum usually tightens in cold
temperatures and during erection.
Penis
Penis
• The penis is the primary male sex
organ.
• It contains a spongy tissue whose
vessels become engorged with blood
during sexual arousal.
• The engorgement causes its erection,
allowing the penis to penetrate the
va g ina a nd e ja cula t e t h e s e m e n
during sexual intercourse.
• It also serves as the passageway of
urine in leaving the body because the
urethra is within it.
• The head of the penis is
called glans, which is
covered with pink,
moist tissue (mucosa).
• In uncircumcised men,
the glans is further
covered by the foreskin
or prepuce.
• Meanwhile, in
circumcised men, this
foreskin is removed.
• CORPUS CAVERNOSUM
refers to two columns of
tissue found in the dorsal
part of the penis.
• CORPUS SPONGIOSUM is
a column of sponge-like
tissue located at the
front of the penis.
• Like the corpus
cavernosum, it fills with
blood during erection.
• Sperms need the right temperature to
remain alive and healthy so the testes are
located within the scrotum outside the
abdominal cavity.
• Testes produce and store spermatozoa.
• They are the main source of testosterone
which regulates different reproductive
functions and male secondary sex
characteristics, and plays a role in aging and
cancer management
SPERMATOGENESIS
•Throughout the adult life starting from
puberty at about the age of 14 years, sperms
are formed in the seminiferous tubes of the
testes through the help of pituitary and
testicular hormones.
•This process, known as spermatogenesis, takes
about 74 days.
•The mature sperms are then stored in the
ducts.
•Together with the transport, it takes about 3
months before sperms are ejaculated.
•In an ejaculation, 2-5 mL of semen is deposited,
containing 40-300 million sperms, 50%-90%
appearing normal, and greater than 32% of
progressive motility. If the sperms are not
ejaculated, they degenerate and are
reabsorbed into the body.
SPERM PATHWAY
Site of
SEMINIFEROUS spermatogene
sis SEMINAL VESICLES
TUBULES
Secretes viscous alkaline
liquid fructose
prostaglandin, protein
RETE TESTIS EJACULATORY DUCT
Storage of
EPIDIDYMIS sperm for PROSTATE GLAND
maturation
Secretes another alkaline
fluid enzyme, citric acid ,
zinc
EXPULSION FROM
VAS DEFERENS URETHRA THE BODY
Carries mature
sperm
Other System Involved in Reproduction
NOTE!!!
No system in the body is
totally Independent. As
such, human reproduction
requires the assistance of
many other systems and
organs to properly
function.
Nervous System and
Endocrine Systems
• The brain is the most important sexual organ of the
human body.
• It coordinates the nervous and hormonal systems that
regulate what happens chemically and physically in the
body’s sexual response.
• It is also the repository of the images, thought and
feelings that humans associate with sex.
• It balances human instincts and emotions with
appropriate moral and cultural behavior.
• The hypothalamus is an
endocrine organ as well as a part
of the brain.
• Alerted by blood levels of the sex
hormones (estrogen,
progesterone, and testosterone),
it secretes neurohormones that
trigger the pituitary gland to
increase or decrease its own
hormones.
• Sex hormones also play a role in embryonic sexual
differentiation of the gonads and external
reproductive organs.
• In females, the pituitary gonadotrophic hormones-
follicle stimulating and luteinizing-regulate the
ovarian and menstrual cycles; oxytocin stimulates
uterine contraction; and prolactin enables milk
production and emotional bonding.
• In males, the interstitial cell-stimulating hormone
prompts the testes (and to a lesser extent, the
adrenals) to secrete testosterone.
• Moreover, the musculoskeletal system provides
framework, mobility, strength, and protection.
• The gastrointestinal system absorbs and stores
nutrients and eliminates wastes.
• Also, the immune system provides the body with
a ready supply of immune-competent cells that
protect it from infectious agents, like bacteria
and viruses.
• Finally, the skin protects the internal organs and
maintains body temperature.
Thank you!!