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Overview

Reproduction is essential for any species to sustain its

population. In the simplest sense, the most important
function of every living organism is reproduction. Organs of
the male and female reproductive systems play a central
role in sexual reproduction by creating, nourishing, and
housing sex cells called gametes .

The human male reproductive system consists of gonads

called testes, a series of ducts (epididymis, vas deferens ,
ejaculatory duct, urethra) that serve to transport
spermatozoa to the female reproductive tract, and
accessory sex glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, and
bulbourethral glands).

Testes
The testes (singular, testis) are paired structures that
originally develop in the abdomen and descend into the
scrotum, a sac of skin and connective tissue positioned
outside the pelvic cavity. This scrotal location is important
for maintaining a testicular temperature, approximately 1.5
to 2.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 to 36.5 degrees Fahrenheit)
below body temperature, required for spermatogenesis
(sperm production). Testes also serve important endocrine
functions as the source of male sex steroids called
androgens. The most abundant androgen is testosterone.

Hormonal Control
Surrounding the tubules are clusters of interstitial cells,
which synthesize testosterone and secrete it into the
bloodstream. Testosterone is present in infant boys,
although synthesis increases dramatically at puberty
around age thirteen. This increase stimulates the onset of
spermatogenesis and development of accessory sex
glands. All male reproductive organs require testosterone
for functions such as protein synthesis, fluid secretion , cell
growth, and cell division. Androgens also play important
roles in the male sexual response and stimulate secondary
sex characteristics such as skeletal development, facial
hair growth, deepening of the voice, increased metabolism
, and enlargement of the testes, scrotum, and penis.

Sperm Maturation
Spermatozoa leave each testis through small tubes called
efferent ductules. Fluid pressure from secretions in the
testis and ciliated cells in the efferent ductules help move
spermatozoa into the epididymis. Testicular spermatozoa
are immature because they cannot swim and lack the
ability to penetrate an egg.

Sperm maturation occurs in the epididymis. Located

adjacent to the testis, the epididymis contains a single,
highly coiled tubule nearly 6 meters (19.6 feet) long.
Sperm transport through the epididymis takes
approximately twenty days. As sperm transit the
epididymis, they are bathed in a specialized fluid rich in
proteins, ions , and a number of other molecules. Complex
interactions between spermatozoa and epididymal fluid
contribute to sperm maturation. The epididymis is also a
site for sperm storage and for the protection of sperm
against chemical injury.

Sperm Formation and Ejaculation

From the epididymis, spermatozoa enter a muscular tube
called the vas deferens (approximately 45 centimeters
[17.7 inches] long). The vas deferens contracts during the
release of sperma process called ejaculationto move
spermatozoa out of the epididymis and into the ejaculatory
duct, where sperm are mixed with secretions from the
seminal vesicles. The ejaculatory duct enters the urethra
as it passes through the prostate gland. In males, the
urethra serves a dual purpose transporting sperm to the
penis and urine from the urinary bladder.