The Hormonal Control of Reproduction
Acknowledged as the most imperative principal of all living organisms, the process of
reproduction is an intrinsic mechanism, as it is the fundament of perpetuity, propagation,
and subsistence, in each respective species.
In the absence of the reproductive system, there would be no equilibrium in the
ecological community, resulting in extinction. Life on earth would cease to exist.
Additionally, it plays an important role in standardising and controlling the mortality and
birth rate.
The Reproductive System
Recognised as an agglomeration interior and exterior sex organs, correlating, for the
desired result of procreation, this system aids in maintaining and regulating the
continued existence of various organisms.
Identified in both genders, male and female, organs that comprise the reproductive
system, are altered and accommodated for:
a. The Development of Sperm and Ova.
b. The Development and Birth of a Human Baby.
c. The Production of Hormones, that Promote Secondary Sexual
Characteristics.
d. Fertilisation.
Furthermore, these organs can be broken down into four categories:
a. The Essential Organs
b. The Accessory Organs (Ducts)
c. The Supportive/Accessory Sex Glands
d. The External Genitals
https://www.britannica.com/science/human-reproductive-system
1|Page
, The Male Reproductive System
“Unit 9. ClassNotes. Alma Pupla. Reproductive System of Males. Date Taken:
01/14/20”
The Penis (External Structure)
Averagely, the penis sits at a length of three inches eight feet long, with a width of two
inches and 5 feet.
The penis can be divided into three separate constituents:
a. The Root – Connects the penis to the abdominal cavity
b. The Shaft – The body of the penis
c. The Glans – The head of the penis
Furthermore, the penis is compounded from three segregated columns of erectile
tissue:
a. The Corpus Cavernosa- Aids in facilitating the penis’ erection.
b. The Corpus Spongiosum- The urethra runs through the centre of the corpus
spongiosum, acting as a passage way for
urine and sperm.
c. The Foreskin- Outer layer found on top of the glans. Once oscillated, it can
cause pleasure, leading to the discharge of sperm, and in some
cases, conception.
The penis permits urine and semen to exit the human body.
The Testis (External Structure)
Situated in the scrotum, directly behind the penis, oscillating outside the body cavity,
the right and left testis (also recognised as the male gonads), are sustained at 1°C (33.8°F).
This is the optimum temperature for sperm development.
The testes are comprised from seminiferous tubules, as they take up ninety percent
volume. They are coiled tubes made up of stratified epithelium and connective tissue.
Additionally, they are membrane-bound by a capsule, identified as the tunica albuginea.
These oval shaped organs function to produce spermatozoa, which will perforate the
(zona pellucida) protective layer of the ovum (egg cell), and amalgamate with the egg.
This enables the (single) spermatozoon to transfer the required biological information, a
single set of twenty-three unpaired chromosomes. As the chromosomes are not in a
complete set, the spermatozoon is said to be haploid.
The testis also produces hormones, known as androgens. Various forms of androgens
have been identified, such as testosterone. They play a role in the development of a
male’s reproductive system, such as the augmentation of the testes, and the
2|Page
, development of secondary sexual characteristics in males. For instance, the enlargement
of the larynx, and therefore the deepening of one’s voice.
The Scrotum (External Structure)
Unconfined and unrestricted, the scrotum is a “loose sac of skin” (George C. 2016)
located behind the penis, that encases the testis, affirming its roles as a protective layer.
The scrotum also acts as a thermoregulatory system, as it aids in controlling and
maintaining the appropriate temperature for the gonads to operate under.
If internal temperatures where to decrease, the scrotum will “tighten”. As a result, the
testis will migrate towards the organism’s body, absorbing more heat.
When there is an increase in internal temperatures, the scrotum will “relax”, and the
testis will be distance from the body, allowing it to cool down.
The Epididymis (External Structure/Accessory Organ)
Established on top of the scrotum, resting on the posterior of the gonads, the
epididymis is an elongated firm coiled tube, with a length of six meters. It comprises of
three parts, the head, body and tail.
After the spermatozoa is produced in the testis, the epididymis carries and stores these
cells. This tube assists in the process of sperm maturation, as the sperm slowly develops
to become mature and capable of fertilisation.
While in the epididymis, the spermatozoa will ameliorate their proficiency in swimming,
preparing for the process of fertilisation.
Vas Deferens (Internal Organ/Accessory Organ)
Described as a lengthened, thick-muscular tube, the structure of the vas deferens
begins from the epididymis, traveling to the pelvic cavity, more specifically, in the rear of
the bladder.
The vas deferens receives the matured spermatozoa from the epididymis and allocates
it to the urethra, preparing the cells for ejaculation.
The Ejaculatory Ducts (Internal Organ/Accessory Organ)
The left and right ejaculatory ducts are hollowed-out tubes formulated due to the
coalescing of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. These ducts pass through the
prostate gland, and enter into the urethra.
These ducts commix the spermatozoa, in the ampulla of the vas deferens. Once the
sperm cells are thoroughly mixed, they are transported to the prostate gland.
The Urethra (Internal Organ/Accessory Organ)
Formulated form fibrous and muscular tissue, the urethra is a narrow tube, held closed
together by the urethral sphincter.
The urethra is responsible for removing urine from the body, via the bladder. When
semen is to be expelled from the body, the sphincter contracts to close off the bladder.
3|Page
Acknowledged as the most imperative principal of all living organisms, the process of
reproduction is an intrinsic mechanism, as it is the fundament of perpetuity, propagation,
and subsistence, in each respective species.
In the absence of the reproductive system, there would be no equilibrium in the
ecological community, resulting in extinction. Life on earth would cease to exist.
Additionally, it plays an important role in standardising and controlling the mortality and
birth rate.
The Reproductive System
Recognised as an agglomeration interior and exterior sex organs, correlating, for the
desired result of procreation, this system aids in maintaining and regulating the
continued existence of various organisms.
Identified in both genders, male and female, organs that comprise the reproductive
system, are altered and accommodated for:
a. The Development of Sperm and Ova.
b. The Development and Birth of a Human Baby.
c. The Production of Hormones, that Promote Secondary Sexual
Characteristics.
d. Fertilisation.
Furthermore, these organs can be broken down into four categories:
a. The Essential Organs
b. The Accessory Organs (Ducts)
c. The Supportive/Accessory Sex Glands
d. The External Genitals
https://www.britannica.com/science/human-reproductive-system
1|Page
, The Male Reproductive System
“Unit 9. ClassNotes. Alma Pupla. Reproductive System of Males. Date Taken:
01/14/20”
The Penis (External Structure)
Averagely, the penis sits at a length of three inches eight feet long, with a width of two
inches and 5 feet.
The penis can be divided into three separate constituents:
a. The Root – Connects the penis to the abdominal cavity
b. The Shaft – The body of the penis
c. The Glans – The head of the penis
Furthermore, the penis is compounded from three segregated columns of erectile
tissue:
a. The Corpus Cavernosa- Aids in facilitating the penis’ erection.
b. The Corpus Spongiosum- The urethra runs through the centre of the corpus
spongiosum, acting as a passage way for
urine and sperm.
c. The Foreskin- Outer layer found on top of the glans. Once oscillated, it can
cause pleasure, leading to the discharge of sperm, and in some
cases, conception.
The penis permits urine and semen to exit the human body.
The Testis (External Structure)
Situated in the scrotum, directly behind the penis, oscillating outside the body cavity,
the right and left testis (also recognised as the male gonads), are sustained at 1°C (33.8°F).
This is the optimum temperature for sperm development.
The testes are comprised from seminiferous tubules, as they take up ninety percent
volume. They are coiled tubes made up of stratified epithelium and connective tissue.
Additionally, they are membrane-bound by a capsule, identified as the tunica albuginea.
These oval shaped organs function to produce spermatozoa, which will perforate the
(zona pellucida) protective layer of the ovum (egg cell), and amalgamate with the egg.
This enables the (single) spermatozoon to transfer the required biological information, a
single set of twenty-three unpaired chromosomes. As the chromosomes are not in a
complete set, the spermatozoon is said to be haploid.
The testis also produces hormones, known as androgens. Various forms of androgens
have been identified, such as testosterone. They play a role in the development of a
male’s reproductive system, such as the augmentation of the testes, and the
2|Page
, development of secondary sexual characteristics in males. For instance, the enlargement
of the larynx, and therefore the deepening of one’s voice.
The Scrotum (External Structure)
Unconfined and unrestricted, the scrotum is a “loose sac of skin” (George C. 2016)
located behind the penis, that encases the testis, affirming its roles as a protective layer.
The scrotum also acts as a thermoregulatory system, as it aids in controlling and
maintaining the appropriate temperature for the gonads to operate under.
If internal temperatures where to decrease, the scrotum will “tighten”. As a result, the
testis will migrate towards the organism’s body, absorbing more heat.
When there is an increase in internal temperatures, the scrotum will “relax”, and the
testis will be distance from the body, allowing it to cool down.
The Epididymis (External Structure/Accessory Organ)
Established on top of the scrotum, resting on the posterior of the gonads, the
epididymis is an elongated firm coiled tube, with a length of six meters. It comprises of
three parts, the head, body and tail.
After the spermatozoa is produced in the testis, the epididymis carries and stores these
cells. This tube assists in the process of sperm maturation, as the sperm slowly develops
to become mature and capable of fertilisation.
While in the epididymis, the spermatozoa will ameliorate their proficiency in swimming,
preparing for the process of fertilisation.
Vas Deferens (Internal Organ/Accessory Organ)
Described as a lengthened, thick-muscular tube, the structure of the vas deferens
begins from the epididymis, traveling to the pelvic cavity, more specifically, in the rear of
the bladder.
The vas deferens receives the matured spermatozoa from the epididymis and allocates
it to the urethra, preparing the cells for ejaculation.
The Ejaculatory Ducts (Internal Organ/Accessory Organ)
The left and right ejaculatory ducts are hollowed-out tubes formulated due to the
coalescing of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. These ducts pass through the
prostate gland, and enter into the urethra.
These ducts commix the spermatozoa, in the ampulla of the vas deferens. Once the
sperm cells are thoroughly mixed, they are transported to the prostate gland.
The Urethra (Internal Organ/Accessory Organ)
Formulated form fibrous and muscular tissue, the urethra is a narrow tube, held closed
together by the urethral sphincter.
The urethra is responsible for removing urine from the body, via the bladder. When
semen is to be expelled from the body, the sphincter contracts to close off the bladder.
3|Page
