1 of 14

The Male Reproductive System

Chapter 16: Lesson 2

2 of 14

How Male Reproduction Works

The male reproductive system includes both external and internal organs that, with the help of hormones, allow physically mature males to produce children.

3 of 14

How Male Reproduction Works

The two main functions of the male reproductive system are to produce and store sperm and transfer them to the female’s body during sexual intercourse.

​

Sperm- Male Gametes or reproductive cells.

4 of 14

How Male Reproduction Works

Hormones produced in the pituitary gland stimulate the production of testosterone, which initiates physical changes that signal maturity.

​

This happens between ages 12-15. Physical changes are facial hair, broadening of shoulders, deepening of the voice, and production of sperm.

5 of 14

External Reproductive Organs

A male’s external reproductive organs include the testes, the penis, and the scrotum.

  • The testes are located in the scrotum and are two small glands that secrete testosterone and produce sperm.
  • The scrotum is an external skin sac.
  • The penis is composed of spongy tissue that contains many blood vessels.
  • When the penis becomes erect, semen can be ejected from the body.
  • Semen is a thick fluid containing sperm and other secreations.

​

6 of 14

7 of 14

Internal Reproductive Organs

​

Sperm must travel through the vas deferens, the urethra, the seminal vesicles, and the prostate and Cowper’s glands before they are released from the body.

​

​

8 of 14

Maintaining Reproductive Health

Practice abstinence.

Wear protective equipment.

Bathe regularly.

Tips for Maintaining Your �Reproductive Health

Perform regular self-examinations.

Get regular medical checkups.

9 of 14

Male Reproductive System Problems

Sterility occurs as a result of too few sperm or sperm of poor quality.

Inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestines push through a tear in the abdominal wall. Surgery can repair an inguinal hernia.

​

  • Males between 14-40 are concerned about testicular cancer
  • Men over 50 need to be concerned about prostate cancer.

​

10 of 14

How to Do a Testicular Self-Exam (TSE)

​

The American Cancer Society recommends that males perform a self-exam for testicular cancer once a month. Page 450 in the textbook explains how to perform a TSE.

11 of 14

Male Circumcision

Boys are born with a hood of skin, called the foreskin, covering the head (also called the glans) of the penis. In circumcision, the foreskin is surgically removed, exposing the end of the penis.

Approximately 55% to 65% of all newborn boys are circumcised in the United States each year, though this rate varies by region (western states have the lowest rates and the north central region has the highest). The procedure is much more widespread in the United States, Canada, Africa, and the Middle East than in Asia, South America, Central America, and most of Europe, where it's uncommon.

​

12 of 14

Pros of circumcision

​

  • Decreases risk of urinary tract infections in infancy
  • Likely decreases risk of penile cancer, though this cancer is rare and becoming rarer for reasons that appear to be unrelated to circumcision
  • Decreases risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including female-to-male transmission of HIV
  • Decreases risk of cervical cancer and some infections in female partners
  • Prevents balanitis, balanoposthitis, paraphimosis, and phimosis
  • Makes it easier to maintain good genital hygiene

​

13 of 14

Cons of circumcision

​

  • May be seen as disfigurement by some
  • May cause pain, although safe and effective medications are administered to reduce pain
  • Has few immediate health benefits
  • May cause rare complications, including cutting the foreskin too long or too short, poor healing, bleeding, or infection

14 of 14

Vasectomy (Male Sterility) Procedure

  • Vasectomy is minor surgery to block sperm from reaching the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. Semen still exists, but it has no sperm in it.
  • After a vasectomy the testes still make sperm, but they are soaked up by the body.
  • Each year, more than 500,000 men in the U.S. choose vasectomy for birth control. A vasectomy prevents pregnancy better than any other method of birth control, except abstinence. Only 1 to 2 women out of 1,000 will get pregnant in the year after their partners have had a vasectomy.