The Male Reproductive System

Structure

Scrotum - Sac containing testes

Testes -Male gonads, sex hormones and sperm are produced here

Epididymis -Stores sperm cells

Vas Deferens -Tube that carries sperm towards urethra

Seminal Vesicle -Contributes a solution of fructose and prostaglandins to the seminal fluid

Prostate Gland -A secretion containing buffers that protect sperm cells from the acidic environment of the vagina

Cowper's Gland -Contributes a mucus-rich fluid to the seminal fluid

Urethra -Channel for urine and seminal fluid to leave body

Penis -Consists of erectile tissue that fills with blood during sexual excitement

Spermatogenesis

Seminiferous tubules - Coiled ducted found within the testes, where immature sperm cells divide and differentiate.

Spermatogonia - Sperm-producing cells found in the seminiferous tubules.

1)Divide to form spermatocytes

2)Differentiate into spermatids(immature sperm cells)

Sertoli Cells- Cells that provide metabolic and mechanical support to developing spermatids.

Spermatids move to the epididymis, where they mature into sperm cells.

Spermatogenesis

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Sperm Cells

Acrosome: the cap found on sperm cells, containing enzymes that permit the sperm cell to move through the outer layers that surround the egg.

Seminal Fluid

Seminal Fluid: The fluid part of semen, which is secreted by three glands.

1)Seminal Vessicle

Secretes fructose and prostaglandins

Fructose-energy source for mature sperm cells

Prostaglandins-Chemical signal to female system, causes contractions to aid sperm movement

2)Prostate gland-Secretes alkaline buffer to protect sperm from acidic environment of female system

3)Cowper's Gland-Secretes mucus-rich fluid to protect sperm from acidic environment of urethra and to aid sperm movement

Sexual Hormones

Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, is produced in the testes.

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain control the production of sperm and sex hormones in the testes

Gonadotropins: hormones produced by the pituitary gland that regulate the functions of the testes in males and the ovaries in the females

Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) - promotes sperm production

Luteinizing hormone(LH) - promotes testosterone production

Hypothalamus - produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), which stimulates the release of LH and FSH from pituitary gland

Male Sex Hormones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK5DaKKDcoE

Primary:

-Physical characteristics directly involved with reproduction

-Present at birth

Secondary:

-Chest and abdominal hair

-Larger, stronger muscles

-More facial hair than women

-Hands and feet usually larger than females

Sexual Characteristics

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in cells of the prostate. Malignant means that it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.

Symptoms:

- A frequent need to urinate, especially at night

- Difficulty starting or stopping a stream of urine

- A weak or interrupted urinary stream

- Leaking of urine when laughing or coughing

- Inability to urinate standing up

- A painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation

- Blood in urine or semen

Prostate Cancer Treatment

1)Surgery

2)Chemotherapy

3)Radiation

4)Hormone treatment

Interesting Facts

- Most arousing time of day/season for a man: early morning/fall

- Smell of Lavender, chocolate, doughnuts and pumpkin can increase blood flow to the penis!!

- Some people drink the urine of pregnant women to build up their immune system!!

- In a fetus, fingerprints are acquired at the age of 3 months (first trimester).

- During pregnancy, uterus will expand up to 500 times its normal size.

- There are approximately 5 calories in a teaspoon of semen.

References

http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/male-reproductive-system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_reproductive_system