REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 Gonads—primary sex organs ( testes in

males and ovaries in females)
 Gonads produce gametes (sex
cells) and secrete hormones
o Sperm—male gametes
o Ova (eggs)—female
gametes
 Male Reproductive System Overview
 Testes
o Coverings of the testes:
 Tunica albuginea—capsule that
surrounds each testis
 Septa—extensions of the capsule
that extend into the testis and
divide it into lobules
o Each lobule contains one to four
seminiferous tubules
 Tightly coiled structures
 Function as sperm-forming factories
 Empty sperm into the rete testis
(first part of the duct system)
o Sperm travels through the rete testis to the
epididymis
o Interstitial cells in the seminiferous tubules
produce androgens such as testosterone
 Duct system:
o Epididymis
 Comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube
 Found on the superior part of the testis and along the posterior lateral
side
 Functions to mature and store sperm cells (at least 20 days)
 Expels sperm with the contraction of muscles in the epididymis walls to
the vas deferens
o Ductus (vas) deferens
 Carries sperm from
the epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct
 Passes through the
inguinal canal and
over the bladder
 Moves sperm by
peristalsis
  Spermatic cord—ductus deferens, blood vessels, and nerves in a
connective tissue sheath
 Ends in the ejaculatory duct which unites with the urethra
 Ampulla- expanded end
 Ejaculation—smooth muscle in the walls of the ductus deferens create
peristaltic waves to squeeze sperm forward
 Vasectomy—cutting of the ductus deferens at the level of the testes to
prevent transportation of sperm
o Urethra
 Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis
 Carries both urine and sperm
 Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
 Regions of the urethra :
o Prostatic urethra—surrounded by prostate
o Membranous urethra—from prostatic urethra to penis
o Spongy (penile) urethra—runs the length of the penis
 Accessory organs:
o Seminal vesicles
 Located at the base of the bladder
 Produces a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of semen)
o Fructose (sugar)
o Vitamin C
o Prostaglandins
o Other substances that nourish and activate sperm
o Prostate
 Encircles the upper part of the urethra
 Secretes a milky fluid
o Helps to activate sperm
o Enters the urethra through several small ducts
o Bulbourethral glands
 Pea-sized gland inferior to the prostate
 Produces a thick, clear mucus
o Cleanses the urethra of acidic urine
o Serves as a lubricant during sexual intercourse
o Secreted into the penile urethra
 Semen - mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
 Advantages of accessory gland secretions
 Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
 Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the
acidic environment of vagina
 Semen inhibits bacterial multiplication
 Elements of semen enhance sperm motility
 External genitalia:
o Penis
 Delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract
 Regions of the penis:
o Shaft
 o Glans penis (enlarged tip)
o Prepuce (foreskin) - folded cuff of skin around proximal end
(often removed by circumcision)
o Scrotum
 Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen
 Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal body temperature to protect
sperm viability
 Internally there are three areas of spongy erectile tissue
around the urethra
 Erections occur when this erectile tissue fills with blood
during sexual excitement
 Spermatogenesis
 Production of sperm cells
o Begins at puberty and continues
throughout life
o Occurs in the seminiferous tubules
o Spermatogonia (stem cells) undergo
rapid mitosis to produce more stem
cells before puberty
o Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-
modifies spermatogonia division
 One cell produced is a stem
cell, called a type A daughter
cell
 The other cell produced
becomes a primary
spermatocyte, called a type B
daughter cell
 Primary spermatocytes
undergo meiosis
 One primary spermatocyte
produces four haploid
spermatids
o Spermatids—23
chromosomes (half as
much material as other
body cells
 Human Life Cycle
 Union of a sperm (23 chromosomes) with an egg (23
chromosomes) creates a zygote (2n or 46
chromosomes)
 Spermiogenesis
 Late spermatids are produced with distinct regions:
 Head
 Midpiece
 Tail
 Sperm cells result after maturing of spermatids
  Spermatogenesis (entire process, including spermiogenesis) takes 64 to 72 days

 Anatomy of a Mature Sperm Cell

 The only human flagellated cell
 Head
 contains DNA
 Acrosome—“helmet” on
the nucleus, similar to a
large lysosome
 breaks down and releases
enzymes to help the
sperm penetrate an egg
 Midpiece - wrapped by
mitochondria for ATP generation
 Testosterone Production
 The most important hormone of the testes
 Produced in interstitial cells
 During puberty, luteinizing hormone (LH) activate the interstitial cells, in turn:
testosterone is produced
 Functions of testosterone:
 Stimulates reproductive organ development
 Underlies sex drive
 Causes secondary sex characteristics
 Deepening of voice
 Increased hair growth
 Enlargement of skeletal muscles
 Thickening of bones
 Hormonal Control of Testis