1. The Male Reproductive System
Chapter 8
The Male Reproductive System

2. Birds and the Bees
During teenage years, the male body begins to change. Voices deepen, new hair growth occurs on face, arms, chest, legs. Above all, the reproductive organs begin to change. This stage of development is called Puberty.
Puberty – a period of sexual development during which males and females become sexually mature and able to produce children.

3. Lesson Objectives
Describe the structure and function of the male reproductive system.
Explain how sperm are produced and how they stay healthy.
Identify some common disorders of male reproductive system.

5. Structure and Function
Testes – Endocrine gland, and have two major functions; 1.) production of the hormone testosterone 2.) production of sperm. Made up of coiled tubules, in which sperm are produced. They hang outside of the body in a sac of skin called the scrotum.

6. Structure Cont.
Epididymis – After being produced in the testes, sperm then move into this structure and stored for several weeks. In here, they mature and gain the ability to move. The Epididymis is a J-shaped tube located on the back of the testes.
Penis – An external organ in which the sperm leaves the body. The tip is called the head or glans and is covered with loose skin called the foreskin. (What is a circumcision?)

8. Other Glands and Ducts
Vas Deferens – An 18-inch tube that receives sperm from the Epididymis
Urethra – A tube that passes through the penis to the outside of the body. Carries urine and sperm, but NOT at the same time.
Seminal Vesicles – A pair of glands located near the bladder

9. Cowper’s Gland and Prostate Gland – Both of theses glands are located at the base of the penis and near the bladder.
*Sperm mixes with the fluids from the seminal vesicles, Cowper's Gland, and prostate glands to make semen.
Sperm + Fluids = Semen

10. Sperm Production
Once male reaches puberty, millions of sperm are produced in his body EACH day.
Production occurs when the hypothalamus and pituitary glands release FSH and LH to stimulate the testes to produce sperm.

11. The ejection of semen from the penis is called ejaculation
The ejection of semen from the penis is called ejaculation. This occurs when muscles at the base of the bladder and in the prostate and seminal vesicles contract forcing semen through the vas deferens and urethra.
About 4 million sperm cells in about one tenth of an ounce of semen. (3.5 milliliters)

12. Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Sterility – When a person is unable to produce sperm.
Undescended Testes – Results from when one of the testes does not descend into the scrotum at birth.
Inguinal Hernia – Occurs when part of the intestine pushes into the scrotum.
Enlarged Prostate – Prostate is enlarged