MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

3 FUNCTIONS OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

- to produce testosterone
- to produce sperm cells
- for sexual intercourse/copulation

MALE REPRODUCTIVE PARTS:

1. SCROTUM – holds the testis and helps to regulate the temperature for the protection of sperm
production and keeps the temperature 2 to 3 Degree Celsius lower.
2. SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES – it contains sperm forming cells such as Sertoli cells (supporting cells) and
interstitial cells in between tubules that secretes testosterone.
3. TESTICLES/TESTIS – two small organs that lie on the scrotum; it is the male sex gland and produces
sperm and testosterone, around 4-5 million of sperm cells are produced.
4. SPERM – this is the sex cells that the males produced to penetrate the egg cell of a woman for
fertilization, and they are 100 times smaller than a pencil dot, and unreleased sperm are passed in the
urine.

HEAD – which contains the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) or the traits, and an
acrosome that has enzyme which penetrates the egg.

MIDPIECE – which contains the Mitochondria to form ATP (Adenosine

Triphosphate) for energy.

TAIL – called as flagellum, used for locomotion.

5. EPIDIDYMIS – structure that forms a mass over the back of the testis; a tube almost 20 feet long coiled
in 2 inches; its function is to store the sperm for 2-4 days after they have been produced; sperm cells
are stored here for as long as six weeks until they ripen to maturity.
6. VAS DEFERENS – two long thin tubes that serves as a passageway of sperm for each Testicles; it
contracts with the help of the cilia to pass through vas deferens.
7. EJACULATORY DUCT – tube that connects the vas deferens and passes through the prostate gland and
into the urethra; this tube is in line with the muscle that contracts to push the semen out of the body.
8. URETHRA – a dual-purpose tube that both semen and urine pass through to leave the body; semen
and urine never mix; a special muscle or sphincters surrounds the urethra; during urination, one
sphincter will relax so that the urine from the bladder will be pushed out of the body; during
ejaculation, one sphincter will also relax to let the semen flow out of the body.
 9. COWPERS GLAND/BULBOURETHRAL GLAND – two small pea-sized glands located beneath the
prostate gland and both side at the base of the penis; part of the endocrine system; produces the first
fluid.
10. SEMINAL VESICLES – are a sac-like pouches attached to the vas deferens near the base of the bladder
that secretes fructose to provide the sperm with energy and for better motility.
11. PROSTATE GLAND – surrounds the urethra beneath the bladder; an exocrine gland that secretes
alkaline fluid to neutralize the acid found in the urethra, so that the sperm would survive.
12. PENIS – male organ responsible for reproduction, copulation and for urination; used to deposit semen
in the vagina; when birth, it is covered by the skin called prepuce; on average, if the penis is erect, it is
5-7 inches long.

EJACULATION – the process of releasing semen; during ejaculation, the walls of the epididymis contracts to
push the semen out of the body; from epididymis to vas deferens to ejaculatory duct to urethra.

MALE HORMONES

HORMONES – this is where the entire male reproductive system is dependent; these are chemical messengers
that travel to the bloodstreams or straight to the receptors to deliver a command.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – a complex network of glands and organs and uses hormones to control and to
coordinate your body’s metabolism, energy level, growth and development; also responsible for injury, stress
and mood.

TESTOSTERONE – this is the primary male hormone responsible for sex differentiation, producing male sex
characteristics; low testosterone can lead to decreased sex drive, less energy, weight gain, depression,
moodiness and low self-esteem; excess testosterone can lead to aggressiveness and irritable behavior, more
acne and oily skin and sleep apnea.

SPERMATOGENESIS – it is the process of sperm cell development; rounded immature sperm undergo
successive mitotic and meiotic division and metamorphic change (spermiogenesis) to produce spermatozoa or
sperm.

HORMONAL PHYSIOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

1. HYPOTHALAMUS – the king gland that controls
body temperature, heart rate, mood and hunger;
secretes Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
(GnRH).

2. GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE –

causes the anterior pituitary gland to secrete FSH
and LH.

3. ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND – the front lobe of

the pituitary gland, located below the
hypothalamus that secretes Follicle-stimulating
Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH).
 4. FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE – hormone that causes the Sertoli cells to produce Androgen
Binding Protein (ABP) to promote testicular growth and Inhibin.

5. SERTOLI CELLS – located in the testis that produces Androgen Binding Protein (ABP) and Inhibin

6. LUTEINIZING HORMONE – causes the interstitial cells to produce testosterone, which is important to
produce sperm.

7. INTERSTITIAL CELLS – helps in the process of spermatogenesis, through the production of

testosterone.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

6 FUNCTIONS OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

- Secretion of the female sex hormone
- Production of female gametes called ovum or egg
- Providing a site for fertilization
- Gestating a fetus if fertilization occurs
- Giving birth to a baby
- Lactating or breastfeeding a baby after birth

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE PARTS:

1. OVARY (OVARIES) – two solid egg-shaped structure attached to the uterus by ligaments, and the
counterpart of the testis of males; its function is to store and release egg cells, others are stored
until they are ripe and released after puberty; its other function is to produce estrogen and
progesterone called the female sex hormones.
 2. OVUM/OVA/EGG CELLS – largest cell in the human body, about a size of the sand; the sperm are
penetrated to fertilize and to produce a zygote; female babies are born with an egg, and each will
have about 200,000 and 400-500 will be matured.
3. FIMBRIA/FIMBRIAE – finger-like projection in the end of the fallopian tube; it catches the egg
that are released during ovulation; sweeps the egg into the fallopian tube.
4. FALLOPIAN TUBE – two tubes that are attached to the uterus, about 4 inches long, and carries the
egg into the uterus; the site for fertilization.
5. UTERUS/WOMB – a hollow muscular organ, and has a lining called endometrium; its function is
to nourish and to protect the fetus; the walls of the uterus can stretch about the size of a
watermelon, and after birth, the uterus shrinks back to its original size, and will be fully healed
after 9 months.
6. CERVIX – the neck or the opening of the uterus; the cervix has one of the strongest muscles out
of all female organs because of its ability to stretch; it dips down to about half an inch to the
vagina; its wall is plugged with mucus that act as a natural lubricant; enclosed during pregnancy,
and opens during the delivery.
7. VAGINA – empty passageway for urine, blood, mucus and the baby; its normal size is just about 3-
4 inches but will lengthen during arousal; it can accommodate the penis and also secretes liquid
used in copulation.
8. URETHRA – serves as the passageway of the urine from the bladder to leave the body.

FEMALE HORMONES
- Its role is to regulate, maintain and control the functions of an organ in female reproductive system.

ESTROGEN – hormone responsible for secondary sex characteristics and sex drive in female; also
responsible for ovulation; responsible for the development of endometrium; high level of estrogen
decreases the FSH level in the blood; produced by ovaries, adipose gland and placenta; its function is
to promotes reproductive health, improve bone density, and sustain normal body temperature;
estrogen imbalance can lead to mood swing, hair loss, headaches and irregular periods.

PROGESTERONE – came from the ovum corpus luteum, or the shell of the egg, which later becomes
progesterone; responsible for the development of endometrium, and prevents the endometrium to
be expelled; released and formed after ovulation; high progesterone can lead to drowsiness,
migraines, molar pregnancy, joint pain and depression; low progesterone leads to ovarian cyst,
irregular periods, allergies, infertility and miscarriage.

FOLLICLE-STIMULATING HORMONE – in female, FSH stimulates the ovary causing one ovarian follicle
to mature.
LUTEINIZING HORMONE – provides the hormonal trigger to cause ovulation and stimulates the ripe
ovarian follicle to release the egg.

TESTOSTERONE – females also have a low amount of testosterone responsible for growth, repair of
tissues and bone mass, and for sex drive; high amount can lead to acne, facial hair, decreased breast
size and infertility.

PROGESTERONE PRODUCTION: GLANDS AND RECEPTORS

GLANDS THAT PRODUCE PROGESTERONE:

1. Ovaries
2. Placenta
3. Adrenal Glands

HOW IS IT PRODUCED?

1. Follicle ruptures during ovulation

2. Creates corpus luteum
3. Becomes progesterone

HOW IT FLOWS:

1. Produced in glands
2. Travels via blood
3. Binds to progesterone
receptors
4. Evokes responses
5. Metabolized and excreted