Male Reproductive System PDF

sperm and testosterone, which is the main Sexual difference male sex hormone. Sexual difference refers to the biological Epididymis - this is a highly coiled tube variances between male and female that lies at...

sperm and testosterone, which is the main Sexual difference male sex hormone. Sexual difference refers to the biological Epididymis - this is a highly coiled tube variances between male and female that lies at the back of the testes. All organisms, encompassing reproductive sperm from the testes must pass through systems, chromosome composition, the epididymis, where they mature and hormone levels, and secondary sexual start to 'swim'. characteristics. Male and female reproductive Vas deferens - this is a thick-walled tube organs differ in structure and joined to the epididymis. It carries sperm function. from the epididymis up to the prostate Chromosomes determine an gland and urethra. individual's biological sex as XX (female) or XY (male). Prostate gland - this is a walnut-sized Hormone levels, such as gland that sits in the middle of the pelvis. testosterone and estrogen, The urethra runs through the middle of it. influence physical and behavioral It produces the fluid secretions that traits. support and nourish the sperm. Secondary sexual characteristics develop during puberty, Urethra - this is a tube that extends from distinguishing males and females the bladder to the external opening at the further. end of the penis. The urethra carries both Gross Anatomy of male reproductive urine and sperm. system Seminal vesicles - these are 2 small glands above the prostate gland that make up much of the fluid in semen. Brain - The brain also has an important role in reproductive function, as it controls the release of sex hormones, and is involved in arousal. PENIS - the organ used for urination and sexual intercourse. It has spongy tissue that can fill with blood to cause an Hormonal regulation of the male erection. It contains the urethra, which carries both urine and semen. reproductive system Hormonal regulation plays a crucial role in Scrotum - this is a loose bag of skin that the male reproductive system, with hangs outside the body, behind the penis. hormones like testosterone, LH, and FSH It holds the testes in place. orchestrating processes such as spermatogenesis and maintaining Testes (or testicles) - these are a pair of secondary sexual characteristics. egg-shaped glands that sit in the scrotum, on the outside of the body. They produce  Hypothalamus releases GnRH, luteinizing hormone (LH) which stimulates the pituitary gland Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone to release LH and FSH. secreted by the pituitary gland that plays a LH stimulates Leydig cells in the crucial role in the reproductive system. testes to produce testosterone. LH stimulates the release of eggs Testosterone is essential for the from the ovaries in females and the development of male reproductive production of testosterone in organs and libido. males. FSH is critical for supporting sperm LH levels rise dramatically right production by acting on Sertoli before ovulation, making it an cells in the seminiferous tubules. important marker for fertility. Abnormal levels of LH can indicate follicle-stimulating hormone a variety of reproductive disorders (FSH) and may impact fertility and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a menstrual regularity. hormone produced by the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in the regulation of Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP) reproductive processes in both males and Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP) is a females. protein that specifically binds to FSH promotes the growth and androgens, such as testosterone, in the development of ovarian follicles in reproductive system to regulate hormone females, which produce eggs for levels. fertilization. ABP is produced in the Sertoli cells In males, FSH stimulates the of the testes. production of sperm in the testes. It helps maintain high Abnormal levels of FSH can concentrations of testosterone in indicate fertility issues or hormonal the seminiferous tubules. imbalances in both males and ABP plays a role in the transport females. and concentration of androgens, aiding sperm development. gonadotropin-releasing hormone Disruption of ABP can impact (GnRH) fertility and sperm production. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a hormone produced in the Testosterone hypothalamus that regulates the release Testosterone is a hormone primarily found of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and in males that plays a crucial role in the luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary development of male reproductive tissues gland. and secondary sexual characteristics. GnRH plays a crucial role in the Testosterone is produced in the control of the menstrual cycle and testes and in smaller amounts by the production of sperm and eggs. the adrenal glands. GnRH stimulates the release of It promotes the growth of muscle FSH and LH, which in turn regulate mass and strength. growth and function of the gonads. Testosterone levels naturally decline with age.  Low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms such as decreased libido and fatigue. Spermatogenesis Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm cell development in the testes that involves meiosis, spermatogonium differentiation into spermatozoa, and sperm maturation. Spermatogenesis occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. It takes approximately 64-72 days for spermatogenesis to be completed. Spermatogenesis is regulated by hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Errors in spermatogenesis can Sperm anatomy and function lead to male infertility or genetic Sperm cells are highly specialized with a disorders in offspring. head containing genetic material, a midpiece with mitochondria for energy inhibin production, and a tail for propulsion. Inhibin is a hormone secreted by the Sperm cells are produced in the gonads that suppresses the secretion of testes and mature in the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from epididymis before being the pituitary gland. ejaculated. Inhibin plays a key role in The head of the sperm contains reproductive physiology by the nucleus which carries genetic regulating the production of FSH. material transmitted to the egg It is primarily produced by the during fertilization. ovaries in females and the testes The midpiece is packed with in males. mitochondria to provide the energy needed for sperm motility. The tail, or flagellum, propels the sperm forward through the female reproductive tract to reach the egg. Three components that the sperm contains: The paternal haploid genome The signal to initiate metabolic activation of the oocyte The centriole, which directs microtubule assembly leading to  the formation of the mitotic Ejaculation spindles during the initial zygote Ejaculation is the process by which semen development. is forcefully expelled from the male reproductive tract through the urethra during sexual climax. Ejaculation typically involves two Male reproductive system phases: emission, where sperm is The male reproductive system is mixed with seminal fluids, followed composed of organs such as the testes, by expulsion, where the semen is epididymis, vas deferens, prostate gland, released. and penis, working together to produce The average volume of semen and deliver sperm for fertilization. ejaculated is around 3.7 milliliters, Sperm production occurs in the containing millions of spermatozoa. testes through the process of Ejaculation is controlled by the spermatogenesis. autonomic nervous system, The epididymis stores and allows specifically the sympathetic for the maturation of sperm before nervous system. they are transported through the Some factors influencing vas deferens during ejaculation. ejaculation include arousal level, The prostate gland secretes psychological state, and the seminal fluid that nourishes and refractory period between protects sperm, aiding in their ejaculations. motility and fertility. Erection mechanism The penis functions in the delivery of Erection mechanism involves a complex sperm into the female reproductive system interplay of psychological, neural, during sexual intercourse. vascular, and hormonal factors that trigger increased blood flow to the penis, Testicular descent resulting in engorgement and rigidity. Testicular descent refers to the process by Arterial walls constrict to maintain which the testes migrate from their initial the engorgement, with veins position in the abdomen to the scrotum compressing to limit blood outflow before birth. and sustain erection. Genes, hormones and physical Ejaculation or cessation of arousal factors play crucial roles in causes vasoconstriction and testicular descent. decreased blood flow, leading to The descent typically begins detumescence. around the 8th week of gestation. The process involves the elongation and descent of the Erectile tissues gubernaculum, a structure that Erectile tissues are specialized vascular guides the testes. structures that become engorged with Failure of testicular descent can blood during sexual arousal, facilitating lead to conditions like penile and clitoral erection. undescended testes, which may require medical intervention.  Key components include corpus To trap the extra blood inside your cavernosa and corpus spongiosum penis and help you maintain your in males, and clitoral bulbs and erection during sex, a fibrous vestibular bulbs in females. tissue called the tunica albuginea that surrounds the corpora Corpus cavernosum cavernosa compresses it.dy text This prevents blood from flowing Corpus cavernosum refers to spongy out of your penis until you’re either erectile tissue in the penis that fills with no longer aroused or have reached blood during arousal, aiding in erection. orgasm and ejaculated. Corpus cavernosum plays a key role in erectile function. It is rich in smooth muscle and vascular spaces. Corpus spongiosum Also known as the spongy body, the Corpus spongiosum is a mass of spongy tissue that fills with blood during an erection. Surrounds the male urethra, helping to keep it open during ejaculation. How an Erection Works From the beginning of blood flow, your erection is entering a cycle. As the blood vessels that supply your penis increase in size, so does blood flow. The erection, then, happens when that blood gets trapped and fills the tissues. During the process of getting an erection, blood flow to your penis increases to 20 to 40 times its normal level. Blood pressure inside your penis also spikes when it’s erect, with the average man showing a blood pressure level of roughly 100 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). This elevated blood flow is what gives your erection its size and firmness, allowing you to have penetrative sex with your partner.