Anatomy and Physiology of Male Reproductive System

Structures of the Male Reproductive System 1.External Genitalia The penis contains three columns of erectile tissue and the urethra, which terminates at the glans. The scrotum is divided by a septum. Each scrotal sac contains a testis, epididymis, and vas deferens. The testes are two ovoid glands that contain seminiferous tubules, in which spermatogenesis occurs, and interstitial cells, which produce testosterone. 2.Internal Genitalia The epididymis extends from seminiferous tubules of each testis. The vas deferens extends from epididymis and entrs the ejaculatory duct in the prostate gland. This uncoiled, fibromuscular tube is surrounded by arteries, veins, and a thick, fibrous coating. The spermatic cord extends from the testis through the inguinal canal to the abdominal cavity. It is a bundle of blood vessels, nerves muscle fibers and the vas deferens. The seminal vesicles, positioned behind the bladder, are two convoluted pouches that empty into the ejaculatory ducts and are lined with secretory epithelium. The ejaculatory ducts join the seminal vesicles and urethra. They pass through the prostate gland and terminate in the prostatic urethra. The prostate gland, located under the bladder and surrounding the urethra, is a walnut-sized gland divided into five lobules by the urethra and ejaculatory ducts. The urethra leads from the base of the bladder through the prostate gland to the shaft and glans of the penis and is divided into three sections: the prostatic, membranous and penile urethra. 3.Bulbourethral glands, or Cowpers glands, are two pea-sized glands located beside the prostate. They drain into the urethra. Functions of the Male Reproductive System 1.External genitalia The penis serves as the male organ of copulation and the passageway for urine. Sexual excitement leads to venous congestion, which causes distension and erection. The scrotum protects and supports the testes and sperm. The testes produce mature, functional spermatozoa. This is referred to as spermatogenesis, which begins at puberty and continues throughout life. It occurs in several stages: oSpermatogonia grow and develop into primary spermatocytes each containing 44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes, X and Y. oPrimary spermatocytes divide to become secondary spematocytes, each containing 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome, an X or Y. oSecondary spermatocytes divide to form spermatids, each retaining 23 chromosomes. oSpermatids mature into spermatozoa. 2.Internal genitalia The epididymis stores sperm as it develops the power of motility and the capability to fertilize the female ovum. The vas deferens stores most sperm. During this time sperm continues to mature. The seminal vesicles produce yellowish, alkaline fluid rich in basic sugar and protein. This fluid enhances sperm motility by nourishing the sperm and improving pH. The ejaculatory duct is the passage through which semen enters the urethra.

The prostate gland secretes fluid during sexual activity to add volume to semen, enhance sperm motility, and neutralize male urethral and vaginal acidity to enhance fertility. The urethra serves as passageway for semen during ejaculation and as a canal for urine during voiding. The bulbourethral glands secrete an alkaline fluid that also neutralizes the acid secretions found in the urethra to ensure the safe passage of sperm. 3. Testosterone, secreted by testicular interstitial cells (Leydigs cells), is essential for the development and maintenance of male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone secretion begins in utero and increases at puberty. It is controlled by LH and FSH secreted by the anterior pituitary.

Lesson 1: Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

Section II. THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 1-9. GENERAL a. The male reproductive tract consists of external genitals and internal organs. These organs are located in the pelvic cavity (see figure 1-8). The male's reproductive system begins to develop in response to testosterone during early fetal life. Essentially no testosterone is produced during childhood. Resumption of testosterone production at the onset of puberty stimulates growth and maturation of the male's reproductive structures and secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone is the male sex hormone secreted by the interstitial cells of the testes. b. The primary function of the male's reproduction system is to produce male sex cells, which are called sperm cells. The primary organs of the male's reproduction system are the two testes in which the sperm cells are formed. The other structures are the duct system and the accessory glandular structure.

Figure 1-8. The male reproductive organs. 1-10. MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Figure 1-9. Structure of the testes. a. Testes (Two). The testes are two almond-shaped glands whose functions are for the production of sperm and testosterone. The testes are suspended in the scrotal sac outside the abdominopelvic cavity. It is believed that the testes lie outside the body cavity because they are very sensitive to heat and the higher temperature within the body is unfavorable to the production of sperm. Each testis is enclosed by a tough, white fibrous capsule called the tunica albuginea. Extension of the capsule divides it into a large number of lobes. Each lobe contains four tightly coiled seminiferous tubules (this is the location of actual sperm production). The seminiferous tubules empty sperm into the testicular network where they travel to the epididymis. The epididymis is located outside of the testis (see figures 1-8 and 1-9). b. Duct System. The duct system is the passageway for the sperm to exit the body. It contains the epididymis and the vas deferens. (1) Epididymis. The epididymis is a coiled tube about 20 inches long. It caps the superior part of the testis and runs down its posterior side. It forms the first part of the duct system and provides a temporary storage site for immature sperm. When the male is sexually stimulated, the walls of the epididymis contract to expel sperm into the next part of the duct system. (2) Vas deferens (ductus deferens). The sperm continue their journey through the vas deferens. The vas deferens runs upwards from the epididymis through the inguinal canal into the pelvic cavity and arches over the bladder (see figure 1-8). It is enclosed with blood vessels and nerves in a connective tissue sheath, which is called a spermatic cord. The vas deferens empties into the ejaculatory duct that carries the sperm through the process to empty into the urethra.

Examining the spermatic cord c. Accessory Glandular Structure. The accessory glandular structure includes the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, Cowper's glands, and the penis. (1) Seminal vesicles. The two seminal vesicles are pouches that store sperm. Sixty percent of fluid volume of semen (seminal fluid) is produced there. The secretion is rich in sugar (fructose), which nourishes and activates the sperm passing through the tract. (2) Prostate gland. The prostate gland is a single gland about the size and shape of a chestnut. It encircles the upper area of the urethra just below the bladder. It secretes a milky alkaline fluid, which has the role in protecting the sperm against acid conditions of the vagina.

(3) Cowper's glands. The cowper's glands are tiny pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate. They form a thick, clear mucus, which drains into the urethra. The secretion is believed to serve primarily as a lubricant during sexual intercourse. (4) Penis. The penis is a cylinder-shaped organ located externally on the mons pubis, immediately above the scrotum. It is made of erectile tissue with cavern-like spaces in it. At the time of sexual excitement, blood fills these spaces, changing the soft, limp penis to an enlarged, rigid, erect organ. The smooth cap of the penis is called the glans penis and is covered by a fold of loose skin that forms the headlock foreskin. Surgical removal of this foreskin, called circumcision, is frequently performed. The penis also serves as part of the urinary tract in the male. 1-11. SPERMATOGENESIS (SPERM FORMATION) a. Spermatogenesis begins during puberty and continues throughout life.

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Figure 1-10. Spermatogenesis

b. Millions of sperm are produced in a 24-hour period. This occurs in the seminiferous tubules (see figure 1-10). c. The process is begun by primitive stem cells, which are called spermatogonia and are found in the outer region of each tubules. Follicle stimulating hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary beginning at puberty. Follicle stimulating hormone is influences division of spermatogonia into primary spermatocytes. d. Each spermatocyte undergoes meiosis and produces four spermatids. All of the male's body cells contain the same 23 pairs of chromosomes. The spermatid contains one chromosome of each of the 23 pairs. The same chromosome configuration occurs in the ovum. When the sperm and egg unite, the normal number of chromosomes is reestablished-46 chromosomes or 23 pairs. e. The mature sperm contains three regions: the head, which contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the midpiece, and the tail (see figure 1-11). f. The acrosome is anterior to the head of the mature sperm. It contains special enzymes, which help the sperm to penetrate the egg.

Figure 1-11. Structure of the sperm. 1-12. PROCESS OF TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION

The interstitial cells, which lie between the seminiferous tubules, produce testosterone. These cells are activated during puberty by two hormones, FSH and LH, which is called interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH). A rise in testosterone production in the young male stimulates his reproductive organs to develop to their adult size and causes secondary sex characteristics to appear. These characteristics are: a. Deepening of the voice due to enlargement of the larynx. b. Increased hair growth especially on the face, axillary, and pubic regions. c. Enlargement of skeletal muscles. d. Increase in skeletal size.

Anatomy and physiology of male reproductive system The testes are two glandular organs, which secrete the semen; they are suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cords. Testes are suspended outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum, In ayurveda Acharya Sushruta , while explaining the anatomy of testis has said " Maamsa asruk kapha medaha prasaadaadwavrushanaha" which means The two testes are made up of musles,blood , fat and their derivatives. Scrotum The Scrotum is a cutaneous pouch which contains the testes and parts of the spermatic cords (The spermatic cord is composed of arteries, veins, lymphatics, nerves, and the excretory duct of the testis. These structures are connected together by areolar tissue,). It is divided on its surface into two lateral portions by a ridge or raph.(Sushruta explains raphe' as "seevani" or a stitch like ridge. He has cautioned not to injure it with surgical instruments )Of these two lateral portions the left hangs lower than the right, to correspond with the greater length of the left spermatic cord. The Testes (two egg-shaped structures) remain in the Scrotum, outside the body, where the temperature is about 3 degrees C Cooler than the body internal temperature (27 degrees C. Sperm development in the Testes Requires the Lower Temperature.)

The testis is composed primarily of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. Seminiferous tubules are packed closely together. There are approximately 500 tubules in each testis. The cells within the seminiferous tubules are germ cells an sertoli cells. The germ cells mature into spermatozoa or sperms. The Sertoli cells serve as supporting cells for developing germ cells. Leydig cells are very important cells that are present in the interstitial space outside the seminiferous tubule. These cells produce testosterone which stimulate the germ cell maturation. The complex process involved in production of sperms from germ cells is known as spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa or sperms are first produced at puberty and spermatogenic activity is maintained into old age. Millions of sperms are produced each day. Millions of sperms are produced each day. The mature sperms are released into the lumen of seminiferous tubule. The sperms pass into epididymis. (Lying upon the lateral edge of this posterior border is a long, narrow, fiattened body, named the epididymis.), The canal of the epididymis is continued into the vasdeferens which rise up over the brim of the pelvis and passes down to the prostate gland at the base of the urinary bladder. It joins the seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory ducts. Epididymis serves as sperm conduit and sperm reservoir where sperm acquire motility and fertilizing capacity. Just prior to ejaculation, the testes are brought close to the abdomen and fluid is rapidly transported through the vas deferens to the ejaculatory duct and subsequently into the urethra.(The urethra passes through the penis and opens to the outside.) Hormones that influence in sperm production

Males begin to produce Sperm during Puberty. At this time, the male hormone (Androgen) testosterone produced by testes, stimulate the sperm production. The pituitary gland releases FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). These hormones stimulate the testes to make Testosterone , the male sex hormone. The whole male body responds to testosterone. Hence sushruta has said "yatha payasi sarpistu goodashchekshow raso yatha shareereshu tatha shukram nrinaam vidyaadhbishagwara" This means " the shukra ( the element which helps in reproduction) is present all over the body . This can be explained with the following examples. The ghee is present in milk in an invisible form. This is extracted from milk using many processes. The sugar is present all over the sugarcane. It is extracted by subjecting the sugarcane to number of processes. Same way shukra is present all over the body. But the cream of shukra (semen) comes out of the body only during the process of ejaculation. But this process of ejaculation needs a joyful union of mind and body. Hence the ayurveda therapy to increase libido, semen and erection involves a step which rejuvenates and nourishes the whole body and mind. The testosterone produces secondary sexual characteristics in male like deep voice, beard, body hair etc.

The FSH and testosterone stimulate the sperm production and development.