Accessory glands of male reproductive system

\( \newcommand\) • • • • • The male reproductive system includes external (penis, scrotum, epididymus, and testes) and internal (accessory) organs. Key Points • The functions of the male reproductive system include producing and transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive tract, and producing and secreting male hormones. • Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body. These external structures are the penis, scrotum, epididymis, and testes. • The internal organs of the male reproductive system are called accessory organs. They include the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. Key Terms • semen: Contains spermatozoa, proteolytic and other enzymes, and fructose that promotes spermatozoa survival. It also provides a medium for sperm motility. • spermatogenesis: The process of sperm production within the seminiferous tubules in the testes. • testosterone: Steroid hormone produced primarily in the male testes and responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. The organs of the male reproductive system are specialized for three primary functions: • To produce, maintain, transport, and nourish sperm (the male reproductive cells), and protective fluid ( semen ). • To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract. • To produce and secrete male sex hormones. External Male Sex Organs Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the man’s body. These external ...

The testes are the primary reproductive organs and generate sperm cells through a process called spermatogenesis. The glands of the male reproductive system produce sperm and seminal fluid. The prostate gland, the seminal vesicles, and the bulbourethral glands contribute seminal fluid to semen, which carries and protects the sperm. During sexual intercourse, semen moves through a series of ducts to deliver the semen directly into the female reproductive system. 1. The Testes Produce Millions and Millions of Sperm Each Day The testes (or testicles) are the male gonads and sit below the penis within a sac called the scrotum. They are 4-5 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter, and covered with two membranous layers, the tunica albuginea and the tunica vaginalis. The testes generate sperm, the male sex cells, as well as testosterone and other sex hormones. The production of sperm is constant and occurs within numerous lobules in each testis. First, structures called seminiferous tubules generate stem cells. These cells, the spermatogonia, divide into spermatocytes, and then divide further to become spermatids. The process is called spermatogenesis. Spermatids move from the testis to the epididymis and mature into sperm. 2. Reproductive Ducts Push Sperm and Semen Through the Internal Genitalia The epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra form a four-part transportation system. The epididymis sits directly on top of each testis. Sperm from the testis mature as they move th...

The seminal vesicles produce about 60-70% of the seminal fluid The first pair we will talk about are the seminal vesicles. These are paired secretory glands located on either side of the ampulla of the ductus deferens. They secrete about 60-70% of the seminal fluid found in semen. This fluid contains fructose for nutrition because, you know, sperm have to eat, right? It contains fibrinogen to stimulate the formation of a sperm plug or clot in the female after ejaculation. Any guesses as to the reason for this? Well, it's kind of two-fold. First, it helps keep the sperm inside the female tract, and second is to prevent another male's sperm from fertilizing the female. Now, this may not be that useful in humans, but in the animal kingdom where many males compete over access to the same female, this sperm plug comes in quite handy. After the seminal vesicles, the next accessory gland to contribute to the semen production is the prostate gland. The prostate produces prostatic fluid. This acidic fluid makes up about 20-30% of the semen. It also contains proteins with antibiotic properties that help prevent infections in the male reproductive tract. Now, notice here how the urethra passes through the center of the prostate. This is why when males have an inflamed prostate, also called prostatitis, they have difficulty urinating because the prostate constricts the urethra, making it difficult for urine, as well as semen, to pass through. Once the urethra exits the prostate, it pa...

This chapter discusses accessory glands of both female and male insects. Accessory glands of reproductive systems produce secretions that aid in sperm maintenance, transport, and fertilization. In addition, accessory glands in females provide protective coatings for eggs. The interplay between male and female secretions from accessory glands is a key element in the design of diverse mating systems. Accessory gland secretions can have digestive functions important in sperm management. Sperm management by females involves a wide range of processes, including liberation of sperm from a spermatophore, digestion of male secretions and sperm, transport of sperm to and from the spermatheca, maintenance of stored sperm, and fertilization. Further, the effects of male accessory gland secretions on the female are best known for the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, in which the functions of several gene products have been explored at the molecular level. Since insects have a diversity of mating systems, the specific functions of accessory gland secretions are likely to reflect this variation. • Previous chapter in book • Next chapter in book

The seminal vesicles produce about 60-70% of the seminal fluid The first pair we will talk about are the seminal vesicles. These are paired secretory glands located on either side of the ampulla of the ductus deferens. They secrete about 60-70% of the seminal fluid found in semen. This fluid contains fructose for nutrition because, you know, sperm have to eat, right? It contains fibrinogen to stimulate the formation of a sperm plug or clot in the female after ejaculation. Any guesses as to the reason for this? Well, it's kind of two-fold. First, it helps keep the sperm inside the female tract, and second is to prevent another male's sperm from fertilizing the female. Now, this may not be that useful in humans, but in the animal kingdom where many males compete over access to the same female, this sperm plug comes in quite handy. After the seminal vesicles, the next accessory gland to contribute to the semen production is the prostate gland. The prostate produces prostatic fluid. This acidic fluid makes up about 20-30% of the semen. It also contains proteins with antibiotic properties that help prevent infections in the male reproductive tract. Now, notice here how the urethra passes through the center of the prostate. This is why when males have an inflamed prostate, also called prostatitis, they have difficulty urinating because the prostate constricts the urethra, making it difficult for urine, as well as semen, to pass through. Once the urethra exits the prostate, it pa...

The testes are the primary reproductive organs and generate sperm cells through a process called spermatogenesis. The glands of the male reproductive system produce sperm and seminal fluid. The prostate gland, the seminal vesicles, and the bulbourethral glands contribute seminal fluid to semen, which carries and protects the sperm. During sexual intercourse, semen moves through a series of ducts to deliver the semen directly into the female reproductive system. 1. The Testes Produce Millions and Millions of Sperm Each Day The testes (or testicles) are the male gonads and sit below the penis within a sac called the scrotum. They are 4-5 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter, and covered with two membranous layers, the tunica albuginea and the tunica vaginalis. The testes generate sperm, the male sex cells, as well as testosterone and other sex hormones. The production of sperm is constant and occurs within numerous lobules in each testis. First, structures called seminiferous tubules generate stem cells. These cells, the spermatogonia, divide into spermatocytes, and then divide further to become spermatids. The process is called spermatogenesis. Spermatids move from the testis to the epididymis and mature into sperm. 2. Reproductive Ducts Push Sperm and Semen Through the Internal Genitalia The epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra form a four-part transportation system. The epididymis sits directly on top of each testis. Sperm from the testis mature as they move th...

\( \newcommand\) • • • • • The male reproductive system includes external (penis, scrotum, epididymus, and testes) and internal (accessory) organs. Key Points • The functions of the male reproductive system include producing and transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive tract, and producing and secreting male hormones. • Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body. These external structures are the penis, scrotum, epididymis, and testes. • The internal organs of the male reproductive system are called accessory organs. They include the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. Key Terms • semen: Contains spermatozoa, proteolytic and other enzymes, and fructose that promotes spermatozoa survival. It also provides a medium for sperm motility. • spermatogenesis: The process of sperm production within the seminiferous tubules in the testes. • testosterone: Steroid hormone produced primarily in the male testes and responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. The organs of the male reproductive system are specialized for three primary functions: • To produce, maintain, transport, and nourish sperm (the male reproductive cells), and protective fluid ( semen ). • To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract. • To produce and secrete male sex hormones. External Male Sex Organs Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the man’s body. These external ...

This chapter discusses accessory glands of both female and male insects. Accessory glands of reproductive systems produce secretions that aid in sperm maintenance, transport, and fertilization. In addition, accessory glands in females provide protective coatings for eggs. The interplay between male and female secretions from accessory glands is a key element in the design of diverse mating systems. Accessory gland secretions can have digestive functions important in sperm management. Sperm management by females involves a wide range of processes, including liberation of sperm from a spermatophore, digestion of male secretions and sperm, transport of sperm to and from the spermatheca, maintenance of stored sperm, and fertilization. Further, the effects of male accessory gland secretions on the female are best known for the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, in which the functions of several gene products have been explored at the molecular level. Since insects have a diversity of mating systems, the specific functions of accessory gland secretions are likely to reflect this variation. • Previous chapter in book • Next chapter in book

\( \newcommand\) • • • • • The male reproductive system includes external (penis, scrotum, epididymus, and testes) and internal (accessory) organs. Key Points • The functions of the male reproductive system include producing and transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive tract, and producing and secreting male hormones. • Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body. These external structures are the penis, scrotum, epididymis, and testes. • The internal organs of the male reproductive system are called accessory organs. They include the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. Key Terms • semen: Contains spermatozoa, proteolytic and other enzymes, and fructose that promotes spermatozoa survival. It also provides a medium for sperm motility. • spermatogenesis: The process of sperm production within the seminiferous tubules in the testes. • testosterone: Steroid hormone produced primarily in the male testes and responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics. The organs of the male reproductive system are specialized for three primary functions: • To produce, maintain, transport, and nourish sperm (the male reproductive cells), and protective fluid ( semen ). • To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract. • To produce and secrete male sex hormones. External Male Sex Organs Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the man’s body. These external ...

The seminal vesicles produce about 60-70% of the seminal fluid The first pair we will talk about are the seminal vesicles. These are paired secretory glands located on either side of the ampulla of the ductus deferens. They secrete about 60-70% of the seminal fluid found in semen. This fluid contains fructose for nutrition because, you know, sperm have to eat, right? It contains fibrinogen to stimulate the formation of a sperm plug or clot in the female after ejaculation. Any guesses as to the reason for this? Well, it's kind of two-fold. First, it helps keep the sperm inside the female tract, and second is to prevent another male's sperm from fertilizing the female. Now, this may not be that useful in humans, but in the animal kingdom where many males compete over access to the same female, this sperm plug comes in quite handy. After the seminal vesicles, the next accessory gland to contribute to the semen production is the prostate gland. The prostate produces prostatic fluid. This acidic fluid makes up about 20-30% of the semen. It also contains proteins with antibiotic properties that help prevent infections in the male reproductive tract. Now, notice here how the urethra passes through the center of the prostate. This is why when males have an inflamed prostate, also called prostatitis, they have difficulty urinating because the prostate constricts the urethra, making it difficult for urine, as well as semen, to pass through. Once the urethra exits the prostate, it pa...