Learning Outcomes

After the lecture, you should be able to:

▪ Name the parts of the male reproductive system and
describe the general functions of each part.

▪ Describe the location, structure, and functions of the organs

of the male genital system.

▪ Discuss the process of spermatogenesis in the testes

Overview
▪ Reproduction is the process by which organisms give rise
to their own kind
▪ Not essential for the survival of the individual. Is essential
for the survival of the species
▪ Genital organs are adapted for producing new individuals
and passing on genetic material from one generation to the
next
▪ Reproductive organs produce and transport germ cells
(gametes) from the gonads (testes or ovaries) to the site of
fertilization in the uterine tube.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Andrology?

Male Internal Genitalia: Vas deferens (proximal to the deep inguinal ring), seminal vesicles, prostate
gland, bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands), prostatic urethra, and membranous urethra
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
▪ The testes (male gonad) produce sperm and the male sex
hormone testosterone.

▪ The ducts are responsible for functional maturation,

nourishment, storage, and transport of sperm

▪ The accessory male genital glands secrete most of the

liquid portion of semen.

▪ The penis contains the urethra, a passageway for

ejaculation of semen and excretion of urine.
Scrotum
▪ a sac of skin and superficial fascia that hangs outside the body
▪ Its position provides an environment 2-3˚C cooler than body
temperature – essential for spermatogenesis
▪ Dartos muscle and fascia—layer of smooth muscle in
superficial fascia
▪ Contraction causes the scrotum to wrinkle which reduces heat loss
▪ Internally, the fascia forms a scrotal septum, that divide the
scrotum into right and left compartments to house each of the
testes. Visualized externally as a ridge of skin known as the
scrotal raphe.

▪ Cremaster muscle—bands of skeletal muscle (internal oblique

muscles) surrounding the testes
▪ contraction (controlled by the cremasteric reflex) moves the testes
closer to the body, where they can absorb body heat
▪ contains testes, epididymis and distal portions of spermatic cords
Warm environment Cold environment
Scrotum

“ Some Damn Englishmen Called It The Testis”

Note that the epididymis is covered by the tunica vaginalis except at its posterior margin.
Scrotum
▪ Blood supply
▪ Anterior scrotal arteries - external pudendal arteries (from femoral artery)
▪ Posterior scrotal arteries - perineal arteries (from internal pudendal arteries)
▪ Cremasteric arteries – from inferior epigastric arteries
▪ Lymphatics drain to superficial inguinal lymph nodes

▪ Innervation
▪ Anterior third: anterior scrotal nerve
(from ilioinguinal nerve) and genital branch
of genitofemoral nerve
▪ Posterior two-third: posterior scrotal
nerves (terminal branches of the pudendal
nerve) and perineal branches of the
posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh
• Each testis receives blood
through a testicular artery, a
direct branch of the abdominal
aorta.

• Artery is highly convoluted

near the testis, where it is
surrounded by the pampiniform
venous plexus, which carries
blood from the testis to the
inferior vena cava.

• This arrangement allows the

cooler venous blood returning
from the testis to cool the
arterial blood before it enters
the testis =countercurrent heat
exchange mechanism.
Testis
▪ Paired ovoid structures, about 5 cm in length and 3
cm in diameter,10 – 15 g
▪ Suspended by a spermatic cord within the
scrotum.
▪ Surrounded by 3 tunics/layers
▪ tunica vaginalis
▪ remnant of the processus vaginalis
▪ tunica albuginea
▪ white fibrous covering of the testis
▪ thickens on the posterior side to form
the mediastinum testis.
▪ connective tissue incomplete septa
subdivide testis into 200- 300
compartments called lobules.
▪ each lobule contains 1-4 coiled seminiferous
tubules –site of spermatogenesis.
▪ tunica vasculosa
▪ vascular layer lining the inner surface of
the tunica albuginea
 Testicular Descent

▪ The testes developed in the

posterior abdominal wall
▪ Begins to descends through the
inguinal canal into the scrotum
around the 7 months
▪ Its descend is guided by
gubernaculum which shortens.
▪ Remnants of the gubernaculum
(scrotal ligament) in the adult
anchor the testes within the
scrotum.
 Anomalies of Testicular Descent

The transillumination test is positive Congenital inguinal hernia

for a hydrocele
Undescended testes (cryptorchidism)
▪ Absence of at least one testicle from the
scrotum. Testicle is located anywhere
along the normal route of descent
▪ May occur due to decreased
testosterone production.
▪ Occur in up to 30% premature and 1-
4% term males
▪ Spontaneously descend by 6 months of
age
▪ Orchiopexy must be done before the
child is 2 years old.
▪ Likelihood of sterility
▪ Increased susceptibility to damage &
torsion and testicular cancer
Blood supply, lymphatics and innervation of testis
▪ Supplied by testicular arteries. Small contributions from: cremasteric
artery (branch of inferior epigastric artery) and artery to ductus
deferens (branch of superior or inferior vesical arteries)

▪ Venous drainage starts as venules form the pampiniform plexus

around the artery. Left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein, whilst
the right testicular vein drains into the inferior vena cava.
Varicocele?
▪ Lymphatics drain to the lumbar (aortic) node or para-aortic nodes,
following the arterial supply

▪ Testes are innervated by autonomic nerves: Parasympathetic,

visceral afferent fibres, sympathetic fibres
▪ all come from the testicular plexus (T10) found nearby the
testicular artery.
▪ nerve plexus travels to the testes within the spermatic cord.
The Spermatic Cord
▪ Suspends the testis in the scrotum. Passes through the inguinal canal
in males
▪ Contains all of the structures that pass to and from the testis.
▪ Contents: Ductus deferens and its artery, testicular artery and the accompanying
veins (Pampiniform plexus); cremasteric artery; genital branch of the genitofemoral
nerve, autonomic nerves, lymphatics vessels
Intratesticular Ducts
Seminiferous tubule, straight tubule (or tubuli recti), rete testis, proximal
efferent ductule
Extratesticular Ducts
Vas deferens (Ampulla)
Distal efferent
ductule, epididymis,
vas deferens,
ejaculatory duct,
urethra
Ejaculatory duct
Prostatic urethra

Membranous urethra

Spongy
urethra
Male
Vas deferens Epididymis
Epididymides (sing., epididymis)
▪ Comma-shaped structure situated on the posterolateral sides of
each testis
▪ About 4-7 m long (when uncoiled).
▪ Consists of about 10-20 efferent ductules and the duct of the
epididymis.
▪ Divided into a head, a body, and a tail.
▪ Takes 12-16 days for sperms to pass through the epididymis. In
ART, sperm cells are taken from the tail of the epididymis
▪ Site of spermatozoa storage and maturation (motility and
capacitance).
▪ Receives arterial blood from the testicular artery, and its venous
drainage is the same as for the testis.

▪ “appendix epididymis” - remnants of the paramesonephric duct

▪ ‘appendix testis (hydatid of Morgagni)’ - remnant of the proximal portion of the
paramesonephric duct
▪ Both are liable to twist and clinically resembles testicular torsion.
Ductus (vas) deferentia (sing., ductus deferens)
▪ Muscular tube, about 30-45 cm long
▪ Transports spermatozoa from the tail of the epididymis
toward the ejaculatory duct prior to ejaculation
▪ Begins from the tail of the epididymis, lies within the
spermatic cord as it passes through the inguinal canal,
enters the pelvic cavity, courses inferomedially above the
ureter to enter the base or posterior surface of the urinary
bladder
▪ Distal end expands as the ampulla of the ductus
deferens and then joins with the duct of the seminal
vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct.
▪ The two ejaculatory ducts (<2.5 cm) pass through the prostate
gland, and open into the prostatic urethra on each side of the
seminal colliculus or or verumontanum
Vasectomy
• Bilateral ligation of the vas deferens prevents movement of
spermatozoa from the epididymis to the urethra.
• Patient does not become sterile for 3–6 months because of the sperm
‘stored’ in the seminal vesicles.
• Vasectomy does not reduce the amount of ejaculate greatly or
diminishes sexual desire
Urethra
▪ Has a dual role as the Ureter

passageway for urine and

semen
▪ About 20 cm long
Ampulla of
ductus deferens
Seminal vesicle

▪ Three parts of male Urinary

bladder
Prostate
Ejaculatory duct

Prostatic urethra
urethra Orifices of
prostatic ducts
Bulbourethral
gland and duct

▪ Prostatic urethra, 3-4 cm

Membranous Urogenital
urethra diaphragm
Bulb of penis
Root of penis Crus of penis

▪ Membranous urethra,1cm Bulbourethral

duct opening
Ductus deferens

▪ Spongy urethra, 15 cm
Corpora
cavernosa
Epididymis
Corpus
Shaft (body) spongiosum
of penis
Testis
Section of (b)

Spongy urethra

Glans penis Prepuce

(foreskin)
External
(a) urethral orifice
▪ The internal urethra sphincter (smooth muscle) contracts
as the ejaculatory ducts release semen into the prostatic
urethra to prevent urine from mixing semen
Seminal vesicles
▪ Paired sac-like structures (5–10 cm in size, 3–5 cm in
diameter), situated on the inferoposterior aspect (base) of
the bladder and lateral to the ampullae of the ductus
deferens.
▪ Embryologically, they are outgrowths of the ductus
deferens.
▪ Sympathetic innervation is responsible for contraction of
the seminal vesicles during ejaculation. Clinically, inflamed
seminal vesicles can be palpated by DRE.
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands
▪ Paired pea-sized glands (3-5 mm in diameter) located inferior to the
prostate gland, within the urogenital diaphragm or deep perineal
space on either side of the external urethral sphincter. Size decreases
with age.

▪ Small ducts of each gland unite to form a single duct, which empties
into the spongy/penile urethra at the base of the penis.

▪ The blood supply to Cowper’s glands is from the bulbourethral

arteries, with equivalent venous drainage. Lymphatic drainage is to
the internal and external iliac lymph nodes. Cowper’s glands may
become inflamed in cases of infection; symptoms include fever and
severe perineal pain
Prostate gland
▪ Unpaired, fibromuscular, glandular organ, which is located inferior to
the bladder; is the largest accessory sex gland.
▪ Size and shape of a walnut, measures 4x3x2 cm
▪ Increases in size from birth to puberty; then expands rapidly until
about age 30; remains stable until about age 45, when further
enlargement may occur

Relations
▪Superior – bladder neck;
▪Inferior – urogenital diaphragm;
▪Anterolateral – levator ani;
▪Posterior – Denonvillier’s fascia,
rectum and seminal vesicles
▪Anterior – pubic symphysis,
retropubic space containing fat,
prostatic venous plexus, deep
dorsal vein of penis, puboprostatic Rectoprostatic fascia (Denonvilliers' fascia or rectovesical
septum) - a membranous partition at the lowest part of the
ligaments rectovesical pouch.
Prostate gland
Blood supply
▪Inferior vesical and middle rectal branches of the internal iliac artery.
▪Venous drainage is to the vesicoprostatic or prostatic venous plexus.
Plexus receives the deep dorsal vein of the penis and drain to the
internal iliac veins. The plexus communicates with the internal
vertebral venous plexus
Lymphatic drainage
▪Mainly to the internal iliac nodes, few to the external iliac nodes
Nerve supply
▪Sympathetic fibres (L1, L2) from the inferior hypogastric plexus -
ejaculation and smooth muscle contraction.
▪Parasympathetic fibres from the pelvic splanchnics (S2, S3, S4) via
the inferior hypogastric plexus - secretomotor
Prostate gland
The prostate can be approached
• transurethrally (TURP),
• retropubically (RPP),
• through the bladder (transvesical; TVP) or
• from the perineum

▪ Prostatectomy
▪ Transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP) - removal of the prostate using a
cystoscope passed through the urethra.

▪ Perineal prostatectomy - removal of the

prostate through an incision in the
perineum.
▪ Radical prostatectomy - removal of the
prostate with seminal vesicles, ductus
deferens, some pelvic fasciae, and pelvic
lymph nodes through the retropubic or the Digital rectal examination, DRE
perineal route
The Penis - External anatomy
▪ Male organ of copulation.
▪ Consists of a root, shaft and glans penis
▪ Glans penis
▪ distal expanded end containing a rounded margin, the corona;
▪ foreskin (prepuce) attached under the corona as the frenulum.
▪ the external urethral meatus/orifice is at the apex of the glans.

Circumcised penis
Uncircumcised penis
The Penis-Internal anatomy
▪ 3 masses of erectile tissue - 2 corpora cavernosa dorsally, and
1 corpus spongiosum ventrally.
▪ contain numerous endothelial lined vascular spaces surrounded by
partitions of elastic connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers
▪ tunica albuginea binds the 3 together and forms a capsule
around each.
▪ corpus spongiosum
▪ surrounds spongy urethra and forms the glans penis distally
▪ forms the bulb of the penis which is covered by bulbospongiosus
muscle.

▪ corpora cavernosa separated by median septum

▪ make up most of the penis
▪ forms the crura (singular, crus) of the penis which is covered by
ischiocavernosus muscle
The Penis-Internal anatomy
Blood Supply
▪ The penis receives its arterial blood
supply from three paired arteries arising
from the internal pudendal artery:

▪ artery of bulb of penis (artery of the

urethral bulb or bulbourethral artery):
supplies the penile bulb and urethra,
Cowper’s gland, corpus spongiosum, and
glans
▪ Deep artery of the penis: supplies the
cavernosal artery, supplies the crus and The external pudendal arteries (branch of
corpus cavernosum. Gives off helicine femoral artery) supply skin and superficial
fascia of penis
arteries .
▪ Dorsal artery of the penis: supplies the
circumflex branches to both the corpora
cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, glans,
and penile skin and fasciae
Bulbospongiosus muscle:
Compresses bulb of penis during
urination/ ejaculation, assists in
erection of penis, supports perineal
body. In females, it assists in erection
of clitoris/bulb of vestibule, supports
perineal body

Ischiocavernosus muscle: Pushes

blood from root of clitoris/penis to
body i.e. maintains erection of
penis/clitoris
The weight of the penis is supported by
two ligaments that are continuous with
the fascia of the penis.
• Fundiform ligament - arises from
the inferior part of the linea alba.
• Suspensory ligament of the penis -
arises from the pubic symphysis
Erection
▪ the enlargement and stiffening of the penis. Is induced by sexual
stimulation (visual, smell, tactile, and others)
▪ Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers (S2–S4) travel as pelvic
splanchnic nerves. Reach parasympathetic ganglia of the inferior
hypogastric plexus (pelvic plexus); postganglionic fibers run
through the prostatic nerve plexus join the cavernous nerves
▪ promotes release of nitric oxide (NO), which relaxes the smooth
muscle, and dilates the arteries (deep artery of the penis and its
branches called helicine arteries) supplying the erectile tissue.
▪ This causes engorgement of the corpora cavernosa (mainly) and
corpus spongiosum, thereby compressing the veins and impeding
venous return.
▪ PS also acts on the mucous glands within the penile urethra and
the bulbourethral glands
▪ The pudendal nerve is responsible for the sensory innervation of
the penis.
Ejaculation
▪ rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle that ejects semen from
the penile urethra via the penis
▪ Pre-ganglionic sympathetic fibres (T10-L2) synapse within the
ganglia of the sympathetic chain. Post-ganglionic fibres join the
inferior hypogastric plexus (pelvic plexus) and course with the
cavernous nerves.
▪ contraction of the smooth muscle of the epididymal ducts, the
ductus deferens, the seminal vesicles, and the prostate propel
secretions into the prostatic urethra.
▪ contraction of the internal urethral sphincter of the bladder
prevents the entry of urine into the prostatic urethra and the reflux
of the semen into the bladder.
▪ Perineal nerve branch of the pudendal nerve supply the
bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus during ejaculation.

"'point" and "'shoot“ ("'p" parasympathetic; "s" sympathetic)

Clinical Correlation
▪ Priapism
▪ Erectile Dysfunction/Impotence
▪ Peyronie’s disease
▪ Phimosis
▪ Paraphimosis
▪ Pearly penile papules (or hirsutoid papillomas)
▪ Chordee
Learning Objectives
. Describe the histological organization of the testis
and the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous
tubule.
. Explain the importance of each portion of the duct
system and accessory glands of the male
reproductive tract.
. Explain the structural and functional significance of
the blood-testis barrier.
. Describe the structure and function of the prostate
gland.
Scrotum-Testis
Within the testis are
seminiferous tubules, with
interstitial tissue between
them
Tunica albuginea contains myofibroblasts that rhythmically
contract.
Microscopic - Seminiferous tubules
. Lined by germinal epithelium or complex stratified
epithelium or spermatogenic epithelium
. Fibrous connective tissue covering contains inner smooth-
muscle-like flattened myoid cells (peritubular contractile
cells) containing actin filament
. Contract rhythmically to expel spermatozoa and testicular fluid
from the seminiferous tubules into the excurrent duct system.
. In between the seminiferous tubules are the interstitial
cells (of Leydig cells)
. Have a central nucleus with one or more prominent nucleoli;
appear pale due to their high cholesterol content and often
contain crystals of Reinke; function of crystals is unknow
. Secrete testosterone in response LH/ICSH
. Secrete oxytocin -stimulates contraction of myoid cells
Microscopic - Seminiferous tubules
. Germinal epithelium consists of
. Proliferating Spermatogenic cells (germ cells)
.differentiates to form spermatozoa in response
to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),

. Non- proliferating Sustentacular cells (Sertoli cells)

. tall, columnar epithelial cells that rest on the thick,
multilayered basal lamina of the seminiferous epithelium
. extend from basal lamina to the lumen
. have a characteristic large basal oval nucleus with a
two or more prominent nucleoli.
Most (95%) testicular cancer involves germ cell tumors, which only appear after puberty
and are much more likely to develop in men with untreated cryptorchidism
Seminomas and nonseminomas?
Sertoli cells
Functions
. Support, protect and nourish developing spermatids.
. Secrete testicular fluid into the tubule lumen, which helps
to push spermatozoa through the tubule and out of the
testes

. Phagocytose excess cytoplasm (residual bodies) from the

developing spermatids.

. Phagocytose any spermatogenic cells or residual bodies

that fail to differentiate completely

. Assist in spermiation
Sertoli cells
. Synthesize androgen-binding protein (ABP) that keeps
testosterone levels high within the seminiferous tubules.
. Secrete hormone inhibin that inhibits the synthesis and
release of FSH by the anterior pituitary gland.
. Sertoli cells of the immature testis produce anti-
müllerian hormone or müllerian-inhibiting hormone
which cause regression of the 'Müllerian' ducts that give
rise to structures of the female reproductive tract

▪ Form blood-testis barrier which protects developing

spermatozoa cells from the immune cells; that is it isolates
the germ cells (located in the adluminal compartment) from
both the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Sertoli cells: Blood Testis barrier
Sertoli cells form junctional complex with adjacent
Sertoli cells (Sertoli cell–to–Sertoli cell junctions), thereby
dividing the lumen of the seminiferous tubule into a
basal/abluminal and luminal/adluminal compartments.

Adluminal compartment

Basal compartment
Blood-Testis Barrier
Sexual Differentiation - Male phenotype
. Anti-müllerian hormone causes regression of the paramesonephric
or Müllerian ducts (this duct which would have become the female
internal genital tract).
. Development of male external genitalia is dependent on the
metabolite of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
. some testosterone is converted into DHT by the enzyme 5-α reductase.
Absence of DHT results in development of female external genitalia

Ejaculatory duct

Cranial remnant is the appendix testis

Sexual Differentiation

or Mullerian duct

Efferent ductules originate from mesonephric tubules.

 Spermatogenesis
. Process by which haploid spermatozoa develop from
spermatogonia in the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
. Begins shortly after puberty, under the influence Follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, and
continues throughout life
▪ Does not occur simultaneously or synchronously in all
seminiferous tubules
. Duration of spermatogenesis in humans is reportedly 74 days
. 45-300 million spermatozoa produced per day
. Has 3 phases
 Proliferative/spermatocytogenesis/Spermatogonial phase
 Spermatocyte phase (Meiosis)
 Spermatid phase (Spermiogenesis)
Spermatogonial phase
▪ Spermatogonia undergo several mitotic divisions. Some differentiate
to form primary spermatocytes (46, 4N).

Spermatocyte Phase/Meiotic Phase

▪ Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis I to form secondary
spermatocytes (23, 2N).
▪ Secondary spermatocytes are rarely seen because they undergo
meiosis II almost immediately to form 4 spermatids (23, 1N).
Spermiogenic Phase
▪ Spermatids undergo morphological changes to form sperms
(spermatozoa).
▪ Process includes formation of the acrosome; condensation of the
nucleus, and formation of head, neck, and tail.

NB: Newly released sperm cells are nonmotile and are carried from the seminiferous
tubules in a fluid secreted by the Sertoli cells.
Spermiogenesis
(a, b) Myoid cells (M) and fibroblasts (F), spermatogonia (SG), primary spermatocytes (PS),
early spermatids (ES), late spermatids (LS), Sertoli cells (SC). (Both X750; H&E)
A (Leydig cells), B (fibroblasts of connective tissue capsule), D (spermatogonia), E (Sertoli cells),
F(Primary spermatocytes)
▪ Mature Spermatozoon (60 μm long)
consists of a head, neck and a tail. The
tail is made of the middle piece,
principal piece & end piece
▪ Head: contains the haploid nucleus
capped by a membrane-bound
acrosome.
▪ Acrosome contains hydrolytic enzymes
hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, acid
phosphatase, and acrosin that facilitate the
sperm’s penetration of the zona pellucida.
▪ Midpiece: contains large helical
mitochondria which produce the ATP
for beating of the tail
▪ Tail/principal piece: contains
microtubules and propels the sperm
during motility
 Semen/Seminal fluid
▪ Contains spermatozoa, secretions of accessory sex
glands (prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral
glands), and testicular fluid

Hypospermia and Hyperspermia?

Effects of anabolic steroids: decreased testosterone secretion; atrophy of testes;
baldness; liver cancer; kidney damage; increased risk of heart disease; stunted
growth; wide mood swings; increased irritability; increased aggression
▪ During mitosis and meiosis, cytokinesis is incomplete so the diving
cells are connected by cytoplasmic bridges.
▪ Bridges allow sharing of gene products between cells of a clone
resulting in synchronized development.
▪ Primary spermatocytes remain for 3 weeks in prophase I, and are the largest
spermatogenic cells

• After spermiogenesis, sperms are released from the

supporting Sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous
tubule by a process called spermiation.
• Newly ejaculated sperms are incapable of fertilization until
they undergo capacitation (the acquisition of the ability to
fertilize) which occurs in the female reproductive tract.
Capacitation lasts approximately 7 hours.
. it involves removal of seminal proteins, glycoproteins and
other molecules from the surface of the head of the
spermatozoon