MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

“The reproductive system is a collection of internal and external organs — in both males and females —
that work together for the purpose of procreating.”

-Cleveland Clinic
MALE Reproductive System
The male reproductive organs work together to produce, store, and deliver the male gametes (sperm cells)
during sexual intercourse to fertilize ova (eggs cells) in the female reproductive system.

Spermatogenesis, the production of sperm, is a continuous process that begins when a male reaches
puberty and continues throughout life.
A. STRUCTURES OR ORGANS
Penis
▪A part of the urinary and reproductive systems.
Prepuce (foreskin)
▪Covers the glans penis; it may be removed by circumcision
Scrotum
▪A sac that holds the testes
Testis (plural: testes)
▪The testis is responsible for the production of sperm and testosterone (male sex hormone)
Seminiferous tubules
▪Produce the sperm; each testis contains about 200 tightly coiled, 50-cm long ‘seminiferous
tubules’.
Epididymis
▪Site where sperm matures and develops the ability to be motile (i.e. ‘swim’) – mature sperm is stored here
until ejaculation
Vas Deferens
▪Long tube which conducts sperm from the testes to the prostate gland (which connects to the urethra)
during ejaculation
Seminal Vesicle
▪Secretes fluid containing fructose (to nourish sperm) and prostaglandin (triggers uterine contractions)
Prostate Gland
▪Secretes an alkaline fluid that helps activate the sperm to swim
Bulbourethral Gland
▪A pea-sized structure that secretes alkaline mucus, which coats the urethra before sperm are released
Urethra
▪Conducts sperm / semen from the prostate gland to the outside of the body via the penis (also used to
convey urine)
B. HORMONES INFLUENCE MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
• Hormones play a critical role in male reproductive function. In the brain, the hypothalamus secretes
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This peptide hormone travels in the bloodstream to
the anterior pituitary, where it stimulates the release of two other peptide hormones: follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
• In the testes, luteinizing hormone signals interstitial cells to release the steroid hormone
‘testosterone’ and other male sex hormones (androgens).
• Testosterone. In adults it stimulates sperm production, sustain the libido, and controls the activity
of the prostate gland. In adolescents, the hormone stimulates the development of secondary sex
characteristics. Testosterone also stimulates the secretion of growth hormone, causing a growth
spurt that increases height and muscle mass and deepens the voice.
C. DISEASES
PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer. The natural
history of the cancer is different from other cancers of the body. The most common prostate cancer is a
slow growing cancer that does not necessarily kill the patient. The less common aggressive form
especially in the younger age group has a more sinister growth pattern and needs to be picked up early
to treat it effectively.

FACTS ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER

• It is estimated that approximately 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime,
however only 1 in 33 will die of this disease.
• Overall prostate cancer is the seventh most common cause of death in the United States.
•The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 65.

NOTE: ▪ “Blacks have twice the rates of prostate cancer death as Caucasian men, for reasons we don't know, it also
starts at a younger age in African-American men." ~ Harmon Eyre

▪ The chance of having prostate cancer increases after the age of 50.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer usually does not give rise to any symptoms till it is in an advanced stage.
A small percentage of patients with prostate cancers may present with symptoms such as slowing or
weakening of the urinary stream or the need to urinate more often. However, in such cases often the
cancer may have spread to other regions of the body.
 Trouble urinating
 Blood in the urine or semen
 Impotence
 Discomfort or pain in The Pelvis, Spine, Hips, or Ribs
 Painful sensation during urination
 Difficulty with passing urine
RISK FACTORS

 Genetics/ family history

 Men aged 65 years or older are more prone to develop prostate cancer
 Obesity
TESTICULAR CANCER
Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that affects the testicles (or testes) which are the sperm-
producing part of the male reproductive system. The vast majority of testicular cancers are Germ Cell
Tumors, which comprises of two subtypes-Seminomas and Teratomas. Younger patients have a greater
chance of developing seminomas while the older men are inclined to develop teratomas. Testicular cancer
occurs more commonly in white males and is rare in men of Asian or African origin
A person with testicular cancer may have a testicle that is three times its original size.
Concurrently this may lead to a shrinking in the size of the other testicle as the tumor ‘feeds’ on the scrotal
blood supply.
Testicular cancer has an amazing cure rate (90% cure rate. The cure rate is 100%, if it has not
spread throughout the body), especially if detected early. This has been made possible by improvements in
the adjuvant (preventive) therapy which comprises of a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and careful
watching after a surgery. Doctors recommend regular self-examination for early detection.
A person who has testicular cancer is at risk of developing secondary cancers such as germ
cell tumors in the contra lateral testis, leukemias, GI malignancies, melanoma, soft-tissue sarcoma, and
genitourinary cancers.
This cancer mostly affects men between the ages of 20 and 35, especially those in their prime
of youth, when they are most fertile.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

Symptoms of testicular cancer do not normally appear until a later stage. Anyone who notices
anything unusual about their testicles should see a doctor, especially if they detect any of the following:
 Testicular lumps
 Testicle may become swollen or larger
 A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
 Discomfort or pain in the testes or scrotum
 Painless lump, but in about one in 10 men it is painful or tender
 Constant backache
 Coughing and breathlessness
 Enlarged or tender nipples may mean that cancer has spread
Peyronie’s Disease
Peyronie’s disease is a condition which causes curved, painful erections due to formation of
scar tissue (plaque) inside the penis. This leads to difficulties in sexual intercourse and affects the sexual
life of men.
Peyronie’s disease was named after the French surgeon François Gigot de la Peyronie who
first described it in 1743. This disease can be found in up to 1% to 23% of all men in the age group 40-70.
This disease is rare in young men but many men in their 30’s present with symptoms.
Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease
Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms may appear suddenly or
progress slowly over time.
• Painful erections – causing discomfort.
• Soft erections – inability to get or sustain an erection during sexual intercourse.
• Penile penetration – difficulty in erections interfere in penile penetration during sexual intercourse.
• Lumps in the penis – the scar tissue which causes Peyronie’s disease leads to hard lumps or hard
bands of tissue under the skin of the penis.
• Penile curvature – the penis may bend to one side or curve upward or downward.
• Shortening of the penis – Peyronie’s disease often leads to a shortening of the penile length.
Some of the risk factors for Peyronie’s disease are:
• Aging – leads to changes in the elasticity of tissues in the penis making it more prone to injuries. Age
also decreases rate of healing of injuries.
• Family history – a person’s chances of getting Peyronie’s disease is higher if his father or brother has
the condition.
REFERENCES
Book
Hoefnagels, Marielle. (2009). Biology: Concepts and Investigations (1st ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Websites
https://www.livescience.com/26741-reproductive-system.html
http://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-6-human-physiology/66-hormones-homeostasis-and/male-
reproductive-system.html
https://www.medindia.net/patientinfo/prostate-cancer.htm
https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/testicular-cancer.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-cancer-care/symptoms-causes/syc-20352986
https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/peyronies-disease.htm
QUIZ
I.
1. It is a male hormone that stimulates the development of secondary sex
characteristics.
a. luteinizing hormone c. gonadotropin-releasing hormone
b. Testosterone d. follicle-stimulating hormone
2. The production of sperm which is a continuous process that begins when
a male reaches puberty and continues throughout life.
a. Mitosis c. Ejaculation
b. Meiosis d. Spermatogenesis
3. A male reproductive organ that secretes fluid containing fructose and
prostaglandin.
a. Seminal Vesicle c. Urethra
b. Prostate Gland d. Testis
4-5. Give at least two diseases of the male reproductive system.

II. TRUE OR FALSE

6. Penis is part of the urinary system.
7. Ovarian cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men.
8. Scrotum is a sac that holds the penis.
9. Epididymis is the site where the sperm matures.
10. According to WHO, the average amount of semen that a man produces
per ejaculation is around half a teaspoon or 2.5 ml.

ANSWERS
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. ANY KIND OF DISEASE IN THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
5. ANY KIND OF DISEASE IN THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Examples: Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, & Peyronie’s Disease, etc.
6. TRUE
7. FALSE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10. TRUE