Human Physiology

Lesson 25 : Male Reproductive System-I

Introduction

Physiologically reproductive system is meant for continuation of species. Two separate sexes with the help of reproductive organs and sex hormones carryout this function in a very coordinated and precise manner. Various events in the process are finely tuned leading to production of young ones of the same species. Male sex is responsible for production of male gamete called sperms and their passage into female reproductive tract. Female sex on the other hand is responsible for production of female gamete called ovum, its fertilization with sperms, carrying the fetus for gestation period and subsequently nourishing the young one during infancy and early childhood. Both sperms and ovum are haploid cells containing ‘n’ number of chromosomes which after fertilization produce a diploid zygote containing normal ‘2n’ number of chromosomes.

It becomes important to understand physiological structure of reproductive system of both sexes and physiological process involved in reproduction.

Interesting features are:

• From fertilization until eight weeks, the developing baby is known as an embryo.
• During this time, all its main parts form, including its brain, heart, muscles and stomach. At this stage the embryo is the size of a grape.
• From eight weeks until birth, the growing baby is called a foetus.
• The average time between fertilization and birth is 266 days, or about nine months.
• The fertilized egg increases in size about ten billion times to become a newborn baby.