Agricultural Science

Specific Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Define Reproductive system
• List the components of reproductive system
• Mention the functions of the labelled parts.

Reproductive System

Reproductive system consists of male and female systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The male reproductive organ is made up the primary sexual character and the secondary sexual character. The primary sexual character is made up of the testis (testes) while the secondary sexual character consist of the scrotum, Cowper’s gland, prostate gland, seminal vesical, urethra, penis, vas deferens and spermatic duct.

Functions of the various parts of the male reproductive system

Testis: they are located within the scrotum or the scrotal sac. When simulated by the male hormone called testosterone, it secrets spermatozoa. Removal of testis is called castration.

Scrotum:- This helps to house the testis. It also regulate the temperature of the testis at 4⁰C less than the body temperature of the animal. When the day is cold the scrotum constricts and when the day is hot it drop or fall to a lower level. The scrotum also does not have hairs or may have very few hairs in order that it can perform its function.

Vas deferens:- This is responsible for conducting the sperm from the epidemic to the neck of the Urethra. The remover of the Vas deferens is known as Vasectomy. Vas deferens can only be removed from an animal when sexual character has developed, more so, in order that the animal’s quality can be culled. Vasectomy is safer than castration, because the animal can still be stimulated but sperm is not allowed to come down.

Epididymis:- this is coiled tubule in which sperm is stored for some time before it is being used.

Seminar Vesicle:- this is the region essential for the secretion of certain fluids which are rich in food substances. The seminar fluids help in feeding the spermatozoa before fertilization takes place. Prostate gland:- this secretes a prostrate fluid which helps to inhibit urine formation during copulation and ejaculation.

Cowper’s gland:- this also secretes the Cowper’s fluid which is alkaline in nature, and helps to reduce the acidity of spermatozoa.

Semen:- This is a mixture of the seminal fluid and the spermatozoa. Only about 25% of the quantity of the semen ejaculated is spermatozoa, the remaining 75% are the seminal fluid.

Urethra:- this is a narrow tract for;

• The transportation of urine or excretion from the bladder to the external orifice.
• Transporting semen to the reproductive tract of the female.

In rabbits, the Urethra is a urinogenital tract in both the male and female while it is only a urinary tract in other female animals but a urinogenital tract in other male animals.

Penis:- this is the organ which is used in introducing the spermatozoa into the vaginal. The penis consists of the arteries, and veins. When stimulated, the arteries dilate (expand) and veins constrict (close or contract), then blood flows into the blood vessels thereby giving the penis turgid nature. It is only when the penis is turgid that copulation can take place.

Copulation:-this is mating between the male and female animals.

Ejaculation:- this is the release of spermatozoa by the male during copulation. It occurs at the climax of copulation.   

       Name of Teacher: Eboh, Bibian C

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Phone number: 08067852235