Animal Biology Course Chapter 2: The male and female genitalia Dr.

LOUDJANI f

I-The male reproductive system

It consists of the testicles and the male genital tract.

1- The testicles:
These are paired, ovoid organs, 45 mm long and 25 mm wide on average. They are capped by
the epididymis. The testes perform 2 distinct functions:

a- Endocrine function:

Production of sex hormones by interstitial cells, the Leydig cells, which secrete testosterone.
b- An exocrine function :
Production of spermatozoa by the seminiferous tubules. The 2 testes are surrounded by a
connective capsule: the albuginea (SCROTUM). In the epididymis, the albuginea becomes
thicker, forming Highmore's body.
Each testicle contains between 200 and 300 testicular lobules. Each lobule contains 2 to 3
seminiferous tubes which open into the straight tubes, before joining the rete testis, a hollow
in Highmore's body. The average length of a seminiferous tube is 70 mm (30 to 150 mm).
The histological structure of the seminiferous tubules shows the existence of :

- basale lamina ;

- germ line cells ;

- Sertoli cells;

-interstitial cells or Leydig cells.

2- the male genital tract:
This is the set of excretory tracts and accessory glands, whose respective functions are: sperm
evacuation and sperm volume increase.
a- excret Male reproductive system or tracts :
They are structured as follows:
- Straight tubes,
- Rete testis,
- Efferent cones,
- Epididymal duct,
- Vas deferens,
- Ejaculatory duct.

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 Animal Biology Course Chapter 2: The male and female genitalia Dr. LOUDJANI f

b- Accessory glands :
Their secretions make up the seminal fluid containing spermatozoa.
 The seminal vesicle:
They produce seminal plasma (alkaline), a clear, viscous liquid. Seminal plasrna is rich in
fructose and protein, as well as prostaglandins and vesiculin (which coagulates sperm in the
female genital tract).

 The prostate :
It produces prostatic fluid (acid). Presence of spermine, responsible for the characteristic
odor of semen.

 Cowper's glands:

These are two small masses whose secretions resemble prostatic fluid.
3- Sperm or semen:
Sperm is the product of ejaculation. It includes :
- spermatozoa ;
- seminal fluid (secretions from the 3 accessory glands).
Sperm is a viscous, dense, yellowish liquid with a distinctive odor (due to spermine). Its pH
is between 7 and 8.7. The average volume of ejaculate is 3 ml (with 60,000 spermatozoa per
mm3). Spermatozoa are fertile for 48 to 72 hours, degenerating after 96 hours.

MALE GENITAL SUSTEM

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Animal Biology Course Chapter 2: The male and female genitalia Dr. LOUDJANI f

Longitudinal section of testicle

Diagram of a seminiferous tube

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Animal Biology Course Chapter 2: The male and female genitalia Dr. LOUDJANI f

Diagram of different parts of male genital system

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 Animal Biology Course Chapter 2: The male and female genitalia Dr. LOUDJANI f

The female reproductive system

Consists of: two gonads or ovaries; genital tract: Fallopian tubes or oviduct, vagina, vulva.

1- Ovaries:

Anatomically, they are ovoid organs, 4 cm long, capped by the fimbriae of the Fallopian
tube. They are held in place by ligaments and located in the abdomen near the kidneys.

Histologically, the ovary is made up of two zones:

- Cortical zone: the functional zone of the ovary, containing the stroma, follicles and corpus
luteum.

- Medullary zone: a stroma rich in blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves.

DIAGRAM of

2- Fallopian tubes:
The fallopian tubes are made up of three segments: the fimbriae, which have digitations or
bangs, the ampulla and the isthmus, which opens into the uterus.
The tubal epithelium lining the tubes captures the gamete at ovulation, thanks to the bangs of
the pinna, and transports it to the uterus. The 2 tubes lead to a single uterus.
3- The uterus:

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 Animal Biology Course Chapter 2: The male and female genitalia Dr. LOUDJANI f

This is where the germ is implanted. The uterus consists of a wall bounding a cavity: the
uterine cavity. The uterine wall is formed by the internal endometrium, the medium
myometrium and the external epimetrium
4- The cervix:
Secretions from the glands of the uterine cervix, or cervical mucus, are modified according to
the periods of female genital activity: cycle and pregnancy. There are 2 phases:
- A liquid phase: water, electrolytes, organic compounds and proteins.
-A solid phase, which is the main component. This is a network of interconnected fibrils,
capable of changing during the cycle.

1- The vagina:
The vagina is a median, membranous, muscle duct. The vaginal wall comprises three tunics:
the mucosa, the muscularis, and the adventitia. The mucosa consists of an epithelium and a
chorion:
The vagina is considered to be a receptor organ for sex hormones, an organ for infectious
protection and a coupling organ.
2- The vulva :
This is the set of external organs. A distinction is made between :
- Labial formations: labia minora and labia majora.
- Mount of Venus.
- Erectile formations: clitoris.
- Vulvo-genital glands or Bartholin's glands.

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