Male Reproductive system:
• Reproductive organ parts:
- Primary sex organs: testis
- Ducts: epididymis, sperm duct/vas deferens, urethra
- Accessory glands: prostate gland
- External genitalia: penis
Scrotum: Contains testis
• Acts as a temperature regulator (2°C - 3°C lower than body temperature) = formation of fertile
sperm
• Protects testis
Testis: Oval structures in scrotum
• Embryonic stage: testis are in abdominal cavity
• Consists of lobules which contain highly convoluted tubules
• Germinal epithelium lines tubules
• Between tubules are endocrine cells: interstitial cells or cells of leydig
• Produce sperm by germinal layer
,• Produce testosterone by interstitial; cells
Ducts: Epididymis, sperm duct, urethra
• Epididymis:
- Formed by seminiferous tubules
- Immature sperm enter epididymis to mature & be stored
• Sperm ducts (vas deferens):
- Continuation of epididymis: leaves scrotum, passes through prostate glad and enters urethra
- Pushes mature sperm forward by peristaltic waves from epididymis into urethra = ejaculation
• Urethra: Duct at the end of uro-genital system to exterior
- Forms common duct for transport of semen & urine
Prostate Gland: Plum-sized gland surrounding urethra at base of bladder
• Secretes fluid that aids transport of sperm (1/3 of seminal fluid)
Cowper's gland: 2 Cowper's glands found at the base of penis
• Produce alkaline fluid when sexually aroused
• Fluid neutralises acidic urine present in urethra
• Fluid lubricates urethra to protect sperm
, Penis: External organ
• Consists of spongy tissue (erectile tissue) = 3 sections
• 2 sections on dorsal side: Corpus cavernosa
• 1 section on ventral side: Corpus spongiosum
• Erection: dilation of dorsal & central arteries supplying blood to penis
• Penis deposits semen with sperm into vagina during copulation
• Human is the only mammal without an erectile bone
• Human penis is not attached to abdominal wall
Semen: (seminal fluid)
• Consists of sperm (from testis) and seminal fluid (from sperm duct & prostate)
• Average volume of semen ejaculated = 2,5 - 5,0 ml
• Average number of sperm ejaculated = 50 - 150 million per ml: ie. 700 million per ejaculation
Female Reproductive system: