THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
JUSTINE AWIO
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
ORGANS OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
The scrotum
2 Testes
Reproductive system ducts (epididymis,vas
deferent, ejaculatory ducts and urethra)
Accessory sex glands (seminal vesicles, prostate
gland, bulbourehtral/cowper’s gland)
Supportive structure (penis and scrotum
FUNCTION OF THE MALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The testes produce sperm and male sex hormone
testosterone
The ducts transport, store and assist in the maturation of
sperm
Accessory gland produce secretions that forms part of
semen and nourish the sperm
Penis contain urethra a passageway for sperm, semen
and urine
THE TESTES
The testes are the reproductive glands of the male and
are the equivalent of the ovaries in the female.
Ovoid structures about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide.
Located within the scrotal sac (scrotum)
During fetal development they are near the kidneys and
slowly move inferiorly in the abdominal cavity.
During the 7th month they descend through the inguinal
canals
CROSS SECTION OF TESTES
LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF TESTES
STRUCTURE OF THE TESTES
Each testes is enclosed by the tunica
vaginalis, a continuation of the
peritoneum that lines the abdominopelvic
cavity.
A fibrous capsule inside the tunica
vaginalis covers each testis called the
tunica albuginea.
CON`T
The tunica albuginea gives rise to septa
(partitions) that divide the testis into lobules
(about 250)
Each lobule contains 3 or 4 highly coiled
seminiferous tubules (where sperm is
produce)
These converge to become rete testis which
transport sperm to the epididymis
CON`T
SCROTUM
Sac of skin and superficial fascia that hangs outside the
abdominopelvic cavity at the root of the penis
Contains paired testicles separated by a midline septum
Its external positioning keeps the testes 3C lower than
core body temperature
This temperature is favorable for sperm formation
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WALL OF THE SCROTUM
In the dermis, there is a
thin layer of smooth
muscle known as the
dartos muscle.
Contractions of this
muscle causes wrinkling
of the skin.
The cremaster muscle is
a thicker layer of skeletal
muscle that lowers and
raises the testes based on
temperature.
SPERMATIC CORD
Contains the structures
running from the testicles to
the pelvic cavity.
Passes through the inguinal
canal
Contents:
VasDeferens
Nerves
Blood Vessels
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ACCESSORY GLANDS:
SEMINAL VESICLES
Lie on the posterior wall of the bladder and secrete 60% of
the volume of semen
Seminal fluid:
Fructose: provides energy for the sperm.
Fibrinogen: helps turn semen into a bolus that can be readily propelled
into the vagina.
Prostaglandins: decrease cervical mucus viscosity and stimulate reverse
peristalsis of the uterus.
Join the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct
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POSTERIOR BLADDER
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ACCESSORY GLANDS: PROSTATE
GLAND
Doughnut-shaped gland that encircles part of the
urethra inferior to the bladder
Plays a role in the activation of sperm
Enters the prostatic urethra during ejaculation
Prostatic secretions include:
Citrate:is a food source (TCA cycle)
Proteolytic enzymes: acts to "decoagulate" the
semen that was coagulated by seminal vesicle
secretions, which helps the sperm begin their
journey once inside the vagina
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STRUCTURE OF THE PROSTATE GLAND
BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS
(COWPER’S GLANDS)
Pea-sized glands inferior to the
prostate
Produce alkaline mucus prior to
ejaculation that neutralizes
traces of acidic urine in the
urethra
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THE PENIS
STRUCTURE OF THE PENIS
The penis has a root and a body. The root lies in
the perineum and the body surrounds the urethra.
o It is formed by three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue
and involuntary muscle. The erectile tissue include;
The two lateral columns are called the corpora cavernosa
the column between them, containing the urethra, is the
corpus spongiosum
CON`T
At its tip it is expanded into a triangular structure known
as the glans penis. Just above the glans the skin is folded
upon itself and forms a movable double layer, the
foreskin or prepuce.
Arterial blood is supplied by deep, dorsal and bulbar
arteries of the penis which are branches from the internal
pudendal arteries.
A series of veins drain blood to the internal pudendal and
internal iliac veins.
PHYSIOLOGY OF ERECTION
The penis is supplied by autonomic and somatic nerves.
Parasympathetic stimulation leads to filling of the
spongy erectile tissue with blood, caused by arteriolar
dilatation and venoconstriction, which increases blood
flow into the penis and obstructs outflow.
The penis therefore becomes engorged and erect, an
essential prerequisite for coitus to occur
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EJACULATION
During ejaculation, which occurs at the point of male
orgasm, spermatozoa are expelled from the epididymis
and pass through the deferent duct, the ejaculatory duct
and the urethra.
The semen is propelled by powerful rhythmical
contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the
deferent duct; the muscular contractions are
sympathetically mediated.
Muscle in the walls of the seminal vesicles and prostate
gland also contracts, adding their contents to the fluid
passing through the genital ducts to form semen
CON`T
Between 2 and 5 ml of semen are produced in a normal
ejaculate, and contain between 40 and 100 million
spermatozoa per ml.
If not ejaculated, sperm gradually lose their fertility after
several months and are reabsorbed by the epididymis
STOP THINKING INSIDE THE BOX
PENIS HISTOLOGY
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SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
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SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
HISTOLOGY
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EPIDIDYMIS
Epididymis: Storage and maturation area for sperm
Its head joins the efferent ductules and caps the
superior aspect of the testis
The duct of the epididymis has stereocilia that:
Absorb testicular fluid
Pass nutrients to the sperm
Nonmotile sperm enter, pass through its tubes and
become motile (propelled by peristalsis)
Upon ejaculation the epididymis contracts, expelling
sperm into the ductus deferens
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EPIDIDYMIS HISTOLOGY
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
What are the results of meiosis?
SPERMATOGENESIS
Spermatogenic stem cells of the seminiferous tubules give rise to
sperm in a series of events
Mitosisof spermatogonia, forming spermatocytes
Meiosis forms spermatids from spermatocytes
Spermiogenesis: spermatids form sperm
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SPERMATOGENESIS
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SPERMATOGENESIS
SPERMIOGENESIS:
SPERMATIDS TO SPERM
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SPERMATOZOA/SPERMCELL
SPERM
Sperm have three major regions
1. Head :contains DNA and has a helmet-like acrosome
containing hydrolytic enzymes that allow the sperm to
penetrate and enter the egg
2. Midpiece: contains mitochondria spiraled around the
tail filaments that provide energy
3. Tail :a typical flagellum produced by a centriole for
movement
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SPERM SUMMARY
Produced: Seminiferous tubules
Stored: Epididymis
Transported through epididymis by rhythmic peristaltic
contractions as they mature
Epididymis Vas Deferens Ejaculatory duct (ampulla of vas
deferens fuses with duct of seminal vesicle “ejaculatory duct”)
prostate prostatic urethra (then passes the bulbourethral
gland) membranous urethra penile urethra
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PUBERTY IN MALE
This occurs between the ages of 10 and 14.
Luteinising hormone from the anterior lobe of the
pituitary gland stimulates the interstitial cells of the
testes to increase the production of testosterone. This
hormone influences the
development of the body to sexual maturity. The changes
which occur at puberty are:
growth of muscle and bone and a marked increase in
height and weight
enlargement of the larynx and deepening of the
voice —it 'breaks‘
CON`T
enlargement of the penis, scrotum and prostate gland
maturation of the seminiferous tubules and
production of spermatozoa
the skin thickens and becomes more oily.
growth of hair on the face, axillae, chest, abdomen and
pubis