Male Reproductive System

Prepared by: Deepak Shah

Male reproductive organ of human consists of following parts.
a) Testis
b) Epididymis
c) Vasa deferentia
d) Urethra
e) Penis
f) Accessory glands
a) Testis
These are paired male gonads which are attached to the
scrotum by a fibrous tissue.
Each testis consists of three layers
i) Tunica vaginalis – outermost layer
ii) Tunica albuginea – middle fibrous layer
iii) Tunica vasculosa – vascular layer
Histologically, each testis consists of 200-300 testicular
lobules divided by septa. Each lobule contains 2-3
seminiferous tubules. Each seminiferous tubules contains two
types of cells. Sertoli cells which nourish the developing
sperms and Leydig’s cell/ Interstitial cells that secrete
hormone testosterone under the influence of LH. Seminiferous
tubules joins towards inner side of testis called rete testis.
From rete testis 10-20 small tubules arises called vasa
efferentia.
b) Epididymis: It is long, highly coiled tube like structure and
measures about 5-6 m long which leads to vas deferentia.
The sperm from seminiferous tubules pass through vasa
efferentia and stores in epididymis and becomes mature and
then enter into vasa differentia. It consists of three parts,
caput epididymis –anterior broad, Corpus epididymis – middle
highly coiled and cauda epididymis – posterior narrow.

c) Vas deferens: Cauda epididymis posteriorly leads into the vas

deferens which is thick muscular tube like structure called vas
deferens. It is 45 cm long. It enters the abdominal cavity and
passes over the urinary bladder and around the ureter it joins
with seminal vesicle to form a ejaculatory duct. It helps in
conduction of sperm.
d) Urethra: It measures about 20cm length. It is also called
as urino-genital canal. It passes through penis. It is a
common tube for discharge of urine and semen.

e) Penis: It is long, elongated and cylindrical shaped. It is

highly vascularized and made up of spongy muscular and
erectile tissue such as two dorsal corpora cavernosa and one
ventral corpus spongiosum. It helps in discharging
spermatozoa during copulation in female genital tract. Tip of
penis is enlarged, highly sensitive which is called glans
penis. It is covered by skin fold called prepuce or foreskin.
Erection of penis is due to the vasodilation (Caused by nitric
oxide) of the arteries of penis.
f) Accessory glands: It is of three types.
i) Seminal vesicle: These are a pair of small pouches like
structure. It lies on the posterior side of urinary bladder. Each
seminal vesicle opens into short ejaculatory duct. They
secretes semen which contain fructose and prostaglandin.
ii) Prostate gland: It is single and situated below the urinary
bladder. It secretes milky fluid that help in sperm motility.
iii) Cowper’s gland: These are one pair and situated below
the prostate gland. It secretes alkaline substance which acts
as lubricant during sexual intercourse and neutralizes acidic
urethra after micturition.
Spermatogenesis: The process of formation of sperm in the
seminiferous tubules of testes is spermatogenesis.
Structure of sperm:
A typical mammalian sperm consists: head, neck, body
and tail.
Head: Head is covered by cap like structure called acrosome.
Acrosome possess hydrolytic enzyme called Hyaluronidase
(Spermlysin) which is used to penetrate the corona radiata of
the ova at the time of fertilization. Head contains mostly DNA
and some proteins.
Neck: Neck possess centriole helps in cleavage of the zygote.
Body: Middle piece is the powerhouse of the sperm as it
contains mitochondria.
Tail: It is the part that helps in flagellar movement for the
sperm.
 Nice To Know
 Abdominal testis are present in whale and elephant.
 Surgical removal of testis is orchidectomy or castration.
 Collection of serous fluid in the tunica vaginalis is called
hydrocele.
 Sertoli cells acts as Blood-testis barrier and prevents the
direct contact between sperm and blood.
 Surgical ligation of vas deferens is called vasectomy. It is
permanent method of family planning.
 Viagra (Sildenafil citrate) is a drug used for impotency.
(No penis erection)
 Normal volume of sperm 3ml/ejaculation
 Normal sperm count 100 million/ml