The Male Reproductive System

Role of a Male in reproduction

 The role of a male in sexual reproduction is to produce sperm cells (haploid cells) and to deliver them to the female reproductive system to fertilize an egg cell (haploid cell).

What is Puberty?
 Puberty is the adolescent stage of development when changes in the body make reproduction possible.  Secondary sexual characteristics:
Growth of bodily hair change of voice Muscular build (male)/fat deposition (female) Development of mammary glands (females) Growth spurt

Onset of Puberty
 The onset of puberty is predetermined genetically (i.e. runs in families)  The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release hormones. Puberty starts in males and females by the production of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) & LH (leutinizing hormone) by the pituitary gland.

Male reproductive structures: Testes

 Testes (singular, testis): two

egg-shaped organs where gametes are produced  The testes develop within the abdominal cavity. Before a male is born, the testes descend into an external sac called the scrotum.
The temperature within the scrotum is 2oC to 3oC cooler than the temperature inside the body 37oC. This cooler temperature is necessary for development of normal sperm.

 Each testis contains 250

compartments containing tightly coiled tubules called seminiferous tubules. Sperm forms through meiosis in the specialized lining of this network of tubules

Role of Hormones

Formation of Sperm
 Males begin to produce sperm during puberty  Two hormones released by the pituitary gland

regulate the functioning of the testes

Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulate secretion of the hormone testosterone (main male sex hormone) Testosterone is produced by the testes Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), along with testosterone, stimulates sperm production in the seminiferous tubules

 A male will continue to produce sperm as long as

his testosterone level is high enough usually for most of his life

Formation of gametes
 Meiosis results in the reduction of the number of chromosomes from diploid (2n) to haploid (1n).  As the cells that produce sperm undergo meiosis, the chromosome number drops from 46 to 23.  4 sperm cells result from each cell that begins meiosis.

Structure of a mature sperm

The mature sperm consists of 3 regions 1. Head: the tip of the head contains enzymes. During fertilization these enzymes help the sperm penetrate the protective layers that surround the egg cell. The head also contains 23 chromosomes. 2. The midpiece: is packed with mitochondria. These mitochondria supply the energy required for sperm to reach an egg. 3. Tail: consists of a single, powerful flagellum that propels the sperm.

Path of Sperm through the Male Body

 Sperm move from the tubules in the testes to the epididymis (a long, coiled tubule that is closely attached to the testis)
Within each epididymis, a sperm matures and gains the ability to swim as its flagellum completes development. Some sperm is stored in the epididymis.

 Some sperm leaves the epididymis and pass through the vas deferens (a duct that extends from the epididymis)  Vas deferens loops around the urinary bladder and merges with the urethra.  Sperm exists the body through the urethra (so does urine but not at the same time)

Sperm is mixed with fluid produced by 3 exocrine glands

 Seminal vesicles: produce a fluid rich in sugars fructose that the sperm use for energy  The prostate gland: secretes an alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acids in the urethra of the male & the female s vagina.  The Cowper s gland/bulbourethral glands: secretes an alkaline fluid that neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra.

Semen
 Sperm mixed with secretions from the

seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and Cowper s glands form a fluid called semen.

The liquid that is added to sperm cells has a very specific function 1. Provide nourishment 2. Provide medium for movement 3. Limited protection/defense

KidsHealth.org
Male Reproductive System Diagram

Review questions
 Why are the testes found in the scrotum and not inside the male body?  Describe the path that sperm take in exiting the body.  What is the function of the vas deferens?  Which structures in a male produce fluids that mix with sperm to form semen?  Why are so many sperm produced by the male reproductive system?  In what way are sperm different from the body s other cells?  The wearing of tight underwear has been linked to low sperm counts in some men. Explain how such clothing could lead to low sperm count.