Male Reproduction Health Science 1

Function Designed to produce and release billions of spermatozoa throughout the lifetime from puberty onward Secretes testosterone Hormones responsible for male characteristics such as beard and deeper voice, development of gonads and accessory organs

The Male Reproductive Structures: Located both inside and outside the pelvis. The male genitals include the following: –Testicles –Duct system –Accessory glands (seminal vesicles and prostate gland) –Penis

Structures of Male Reproduction Testes Scrotum Perineum Seminiferous Tubules Epididymis Vas deferens Seminal vesicles Prostate Urethra Penis Prepuce Cowper Glands

External Structures Perineum: area of skin between anus and scrotum; area contains the penis, scrotum and anus Testicles/Testes: male gonads Epididymis: tube at the upper part of each testicle, runs down the length of testes, then turns upward into the body where it becomes the vas deferens Seminiferous Tubules: coiled tubules that manufacture sperm. Also contain interstitial cells, or Leydig cells manufacture testosterone Scrotum: sac enclosing testes Penis: erectile tissue –Prepuce: foreskin – covers and protects Glans penis –Glans penis – soft, sensitive tissue located at the tip

Internal Structures Vas deferens: 2 ft. long, carry sperm into pelvic region Seminal vesicles: glands located at the base of the bladder; secrete fluids that nourish sperm and form much of the volume of ejaculated semen Prostate gland: located under the bladder where vas deferens enters the urethra aids in motility of sperm Cowper Glands: also known as bulbourethral glands; secrete thick mucus; acts as a lubricant during sexual excitement. Urethra: carries urine and sperm to outside of body

Spermatogenesis sequence of events in seminiferous tubules of testes that leads to production of male gametes or sperm healthy male produces several hundred million sperm per day

Effects of Testosterone at puberty testosterone prompts spermatogenesis causes reproductive organs to grow & assume adult functions as adult normal levels of testosterone are required to maintain normal structure & function of reproductive organ

Semen mixture of sperm & secretions transport medium, nutrients, & chemicals that protect & facilitate movement of sperm hormone relaxin enhance sperm motility basic pH neutralizes acidic environment of vagina ml released during ejaculation million sperm in each ml

Path of Sperm Sperm formed in seminiferous tubules of the testicles  Epididymis  Vas deferens (Seminal Vesicles and prostrate gland add their secretions to form semen)  Ejaculatory Duct  Urethra  Penis

Pathological Conditions Anorchism – congenital absence of one or both testicles (orch = testicle) Cryptorchidism: undescended testicle (crypto = hidden) Hydrocele: sac of clear fluid in testicle Testitis/Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles Varicocele: enlarged dilated veins near the testicle

Pathological Conditions Carcinoma of the testes: rare except in the year old group. –Other types of cancer are embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, teratocarcinoma –Teratoma’s are comprised of hair and cartilage, bone and skin cells –Testicular self-exam (TSE) Testicular torsion: twisting of the spermatic cord

Pathological Conditions Carcinoma of the prostate: commonly occur in men over 50 Prostatic hyperplasia: BPH commonly found in men over 60, benign growth of cells in prostate Hypospadias: congenital opening of male urethra on underside of penis Phimosis: stricture of the opening of the prepuce over the glans penis Balanitis: inflammation of the glans penis often associated with phimosis

Lab Tests and Diagnostic Procedures PSA test Sperm analysis TSE DRE: digital rectal exam

Treatment/Procedures Castration – bilateral orchidectomy Vasectomy – removal of the vas deferens; prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate Vasovasostomy – restores fertilization to a vasectomized male

Treatment/Procedures Prostatectomy –Radical – removal of the gland, seminal vesicles, and some surrounding tissue TURP: transurethral resection of the prostate Radiation Therapy and Hormone Therapy