Male Reproductive Tract
Testes - male gonad located externally in scrotum except in birds produce sperm produce male hormone - testosterone
Scrotum thermal regulatory organ temperature control necessary for sperm production cannot occur at body temperature
Scrotum heat can cause infertility spermatogenesis - maturation of sperm cells - takes about 50 days
Epididymis 3 portions caput - head corpora - body cauda - tail ****diagram
Epididymis days for the sperm cells to pass through the epididymis Functions - maturation of sperm cells storage of sperm cells
Vas Deferens passageway for sperm cells
Accessory Glands Seminal Vesicles Prostate Gland Cowper’s gland
Accessory Glands Provide 95-98% of total ejaculate volume
Seminal Vesicles secrete fructose - energy source for sperm 40-80% of ejaculate volume
Prostate Gland secretes enzymes % of ejaculate volume
Cowper’s Gland cleanse and neutralize urethra keep sperm from dying
Urethra passageway for semen carries semen to the end of the penis
Retractor Muscle retracts penis pulls the penis back within the sheath
Sigmoid Flexor extends penis from the sheath
Penis deposits semen in the female reproductive tract
Sheath encloses the penis not present in primates Must be kept clean
Hormones testosterone functions stimulate spermatogenesis maturation of sperm cells
Hormone functions development of accessory sex glands Libido - sex drive builds muscle Responsible for male characteristics