36.5: Review of the Male Reproductive System
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
- 36.5.1 Describe the structure and function of the male reproductive system.
- 36.5.2 Discuss common conditions that affect the male reproductive system.
Structure and Function of the Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system (also referred to as the testicular reproductive system ) is made up of internal and external organs (see Figure 36.5). The external organs include the scrotum, testes, epididymis, and penis. The internal organs are the vas deferens, prostate gland, ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands, and urethra (Betts et al., 2023; Netter, 2022).
The scrotum is a loose, sac-like cavity that holds the testicles and provides a controlled temperature for them since temperature within the scrotum is lower than in the body itself. The testicles produce sperm, which fertilize an egg from a female. The epididymis carries the formed sperm into the vas deferens, which then empties the sperm into the ejaculatory duct in the body of the prostate gland. Two seminal vesicles, one on each side of the prostate, also empty into the ejaculatory duct. From the ejaculatory duct, the sperm enter the urethra. The bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands secrete mucus into the urethra, and both the mucus and sperm are carried outside the body through the urethra. The penis contains sensory nerves that respond to sexual stimulation and cause the penis to become enlarged and elongated. Contractions of the penis allow the sperm, along with other secretions, to empty outside the body. The primary target would be the uterus where the sperm fertilizes the egg, creating the embryo that implants into the uterus and further develops into the fetus (Betts et al., 2023; Netter, 2022). (Refer to Section 36.1.)
Hormones
Some of the same hormones that are produced in individuals assigned female at birth are also produced in those assigned males at birth, and those include GnRH and the gonadotropins, LH and FSH. As discussed in Review of the Female Reproductive System, GnRH is produced in the hypothalamus. When GnRH is secreted, it acts on the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH, which regulate sex steroid production from the gonads. In males, the gonads are the testes (ovaries in females) which produce testosterone (also considered an androgen). Testicular hormones are responsible for the development of male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics, including hair distribution (pubic area, axillae, facial, and chest), voice deepening, heavier bone structure, increased hematocrit, and fat distribution. Additionally, testosterone can self-limit its own secretion through the negative feedback loop. When levels of testosterone are high, feedback to the hypothalamus inhibits the secretion of GnRH. Negative feedback to the anterior pituitary renders it less responsive to GnRH stimuli (Casteel & Singh, 2023; Nassar, 2023).
Andropause
Andropause occurs with aging and represents a time of decreased production of testosterone, atrophy of interstitial cells, and lessened sexual activity. Andropause is comparable to female menopause. The decrease of testosterone can produce depression, fat redistribution, and decreased libido. Not all male clients experience andropause.
Link to Learning
What is “male menopause”? An expert breaks down everything clients need to know about andropause in this Daily Mail video.