Real male anatomy. Male Reproductive Anatomy: A Comprehensive Guide to Structure and Function
What are the key components of male reproductive anatomy. How does the male reproductive system function. What is the microscopic structure of male reproductive organs. How do hormones regulate male reproduction. What are common disorders affecting male reproductive health.
The Male Reproductive System: An Overview
The male reproductive system is a complex network of organs and structures that work together to produce sperm, secrete hormones, and deliver sperm to fertilize an egg. Its primary functions include:
- Sperm production (spermatogenesis)
- Hormone synthesis and secretion
- Delivery of sperm for fertilization
- Production of seminal fluid
Understanding male reproductive anatomy is crucial for healthcare providers, researchers, and individuals seeking to optimize their reproductive health. This comprehensive guide explores the gross and microscopic anatomy of the male reproductive system, its physiological functions, and common disorders that can affect male fertility and sexual function.
External Genitalia: Structure and Function
The external male genitalia consist of the penis and scrotum. These structures play vital roles in sexual intercourse, urination, and protecting the internal reproductive organs.
The Penis: Anatomy and Physiology
The penis is the male organ of copulation and urination. Its key anatomical features include:
- Glans penis – the sensitive tip
- Shaft – the main body of the penis
- Prepuce (foreskin) – a retractable fold of skin covering the glans
- Urethra – the channel for urine and semen
- Corpus cavernosum – erectile tissue that fills with blood during arousal
- Corpus spongiosum – surrounds the urethra and forms the glans
How does an erection occur? When sexually stimulated, the arteries supplying the penis dilate, allowing the corpus cavernosum to fill with blood. This engorgement causes the penis to become erect, facilitating sexual intercourse.
The Scrotum: Temperature Regulation for Sperm Production
The scrotum is a pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes. Its primary functions are:
- Protecting the testes from physical damage
- Regulating testicular temperature
- Supporting optimal conditions for sperm production
Why is temperature regulation important for sperm production? Spermatogenesis occurs most efficiently at temperatures slightly lower than core body temperature. The scrotum’s ability to contract and relax helps maintain the ideal temperature for sperm development.
Internal Male Reproductive Organs: From Sperm Production to Ejaculation
The internal male reproductive organs work together to produce, nourish, and transport sperm cells. Let’s examine each component in detail:
Testes: The Powerhouse of Sperm Production
The testes, or testicles, are oval-shaped organs responsible for producing sperm and male sex hormones. Key features of the testes include:
- Seminiferous tubules – where sperm cells develop
- Leydig cells – produce testosterone
- Sertoli cells – support and nourish developing sperm
How long does it take for sperm to develop? The process of spermatogenesis takes approximately 64-72 days from start to finish.
Epididymis: Sperm Maturation and Storage
The epididymis is a long, coiled tube attached to the back of each testis. Its functions include:
- Storing sperm cells
- Facilitating sperm maturation
- Transporting sperm to the vas deferens
What happens to sperm in the epididymis? As sperm cells travel through the epididymis, they undergo final maturation, gaining the ability to swim and fertilize an egg.
Vas Deferens: The Sperm Highway
The vas deferens, also known as the ductus deferens, is a muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra. It plays a crucial role in:
- Sperm transport during ejaculation
- Sperm storage prior to ejaculation
How does vasectomy affect male fertility? A vasectomy involves cutting or blocking the vas deferens, preventing sperm from reaching the urethra and resulting in male sterilization.
Accessory Glands: Enhancing Sperm Survival and Motility
The male reproductive system includes several accessory glands that produce seminal fluid, which nourishes and protects sperm cells. These glands include:
Seminal Vesicles: Fructose-Rich Secretions
The seminal vesicles are a pair of glands located behind the bladder. They produce a fructose-rich fluid that:
- Provides energy for sperm cells
- Enhances sperm motility
- Contributes to semen volume
What percentage of semen comes from the seminal vesicles? Approximately 60-70% of semen volume is produced by the seminal vesicles.
Prostate Gland: Alkaline Protection for Sperm
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located just below the bladder. Its primary functions include:
- Producing alkaline fluid to neutralize vaginal acidity
- Enhancing sperm motility
- Contributing to semen volume
Why is the alkaline nature of prostatic fluid important? The alkaline prostatic fluid helps neutralize the acidic environment of the vagina, improving sperm survival and motility.
Bulbourethral Glands: Lubrication for Urethral Protection
Also known as Cowper’s glands, the bulbourethral glands are pea-sized structures near the base of the penis. They secrete a clear fluid that:
- Lubricates the urethra before ejaculation
- Neutralizes any residual urine in the urethra
- May contain small amounts of sperm
What is the purpose of pre-ejaculate fluid? Pre-ejaculate, produced primarily by the bulbourethral glands, helps lubricate the urethra and neutralize acidic urine residue, creating a more favorable environment for sperm passage.
Microscopic Anatomy: The Cellular Basis of Male Reproduction
Understanding the microscopic structure of male reproductive organs provides insight into their functions and potential dysfunctions. Let’s examine the cellular composition of key structures:
Seminiferous Tubules: The Site of Spermatogenesis
Seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the testes where sperm production occurs. Their microscopic structure includes:
- Spermatogonia – stem cells that give rise to sperm
- Spermatocytes – cells undergoing meiosis to form spermatids
- Spermatids – immature sperm cells
- Sertoli cells – support cells that nourish developing sperm
How many sperm cells are produced daily? A healthy adult male produces approximately 100-200 million sperm cells per day.
Leydig Cells: Testosterone Production Powerhouses
Leydig cells, located in the interstitial tissue between seminiferous tubules, are responsible for testosterone production. Their key features include:
- Abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum for steroid synthesis
- Numerous mitochondria for energy production
- Secretory vesicles containing testosterone
What factors regulate testosterone production in Leydig cells? Luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland stimulates testosterone production in Leydig cells.
Hormonal Regulation of Male Reproduction
The male reproductive system is tightly regulated by a complex interplay of hormones. Understanding this hormonal control is crucial for diagnosing and treating reproductive disorders.
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is the primary regulatory system for male reproduction. It involves:
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary
- Testosterone and inhibin from the testes
How does negative feedback regulate the HPG axis? High levels of testosterone and inhibin suppress the release of GnRH, FSH, and LH, maintaining hormonal balance.
Testosterone: The Master Regulator of Male Reproduction
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, with wide-ranging effects on reproductive function and overall health. Its key roles include:
- Promoting spermatogenesis
- Developing and maintaining secondary sexual characteristics
- Supporting libido and sexual function
- Contributing to muscle mass and bone density
What are the effects of low testosterone levels? Low testosterone can lead to reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle mass, and mood changes.
Common Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Several disorders can affect male reproductive health, impacting fertility, sexual function, and overall well-being. Some common conditions include:
Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Treatments
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Causes may include:
- Vascular disorders
- Neurological conditions
- Hormonal imbalances
- Psychological factors
What are the current treatment options for erectile dysfunction? Treatment options include oral medications (e.g., sildenafil), injectable drugs, vacuum devices, and in severe cases, penile implants.
Male Infertility: Factors Affecting Sperm Production and Function
Male infertility can result from various factors affecting sperm production, transport, or function. Common causes include:
- Varicocele (enlarged testicular veins)
- Hormonal imbalances
- Genetic disorders
- Environmental factors (e.g., exposure to toxins)
How is male infertility diagnosed? Diagnosis typically involves semen analysis, hormonal testing, and in some cases, genetic screening or testicular biopsy.
Prostate Disorders: From Benign Enlargement to Cancer
The prostate gland is susceptible to several disorders that can impact urinary and reproductive function. Common prostate conditions include:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
- Prostate cancer
What are the warning signs of prostate cancer? Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular screenings. Advanced symptoms may include difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, and pelvic pain.
Understanding male reproductive anatomy is crucial for maintaining reproductive health, diagnosing disorders, and developing effective treatments. From the intricate process of spermatogenesis to the complex hormonal regulation of the reproductive system, each component plays a vital role in male fertility and sexual function. By exploring both the gross and microscopic anatomy of the male reproductive system, we gain valuable insights into its normal function and potential dysfunctions, paving the way for improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in male reproductive health.
Male Reproductive Models
Male Reproductive Models
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Male Reproductive Models
The human reproductive system is paramount to our continued existence, thanks to its role in the continuation of our species. The male reproductive system, with its many features, is a complex and incredible system, that can be difficult to study for students, and difficult to explain to patients. With our collection of anatomical models, this becomes much simpler. Choose from a variety of products appropriate to many levels of study. Specialists will also find this collection appealing.
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Axis Scientific 4-Part Median Section Male Pelvis Anatomy Model
Axis Scientific
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Axis Scientific 4-Part Median Section Male Pelvis Anatomy Model with Removable Parts and Study Guide
The Axis Scientific 4-Part Human Male Pelvis Model is an anatomically accurate representation of the male pelvis anatomy. This model offers a complete…Retail Price
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Axis Scientific 4-Part Male Pelvis
Axis Scientific
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This fabulous male pelvis model Made by Axis Scientific and backed by a 3 year warranty features removable parts to show all parts of the male reproductive system, as well as the urinary system and muscular anatomy. Half of the pelvis is shown, along…
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Anatomy Lab Male and Female Catheter Set
Anatomy Lab
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OverviewThe Anatomy Lab Male and Female Catheter Set provides students, teachers, doctors, and patients an overview of the anatomy and areas that catheterization requires. Students can directly observe the catheterization process and identify each…
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Anatomy Lab Male Internal & External Genital Organ Model
Anatomy Lab
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Male urethra from the orificium urethra internum of bladder to orificium urethrae externum of penis, adult urethra is in between 16 – 22cm, the diameter is in between 5 – 7cm. Male urethra consists of prostate, pars membranacea and spongiose…Retail Price
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Life-Size Testicle Anatomy Model – Dark
3B Scientific
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This life-size testicle model offers an extremely natural feel. By using SKINlike (dermatologically tested), 3B’s new high-quality silicon, learning and practicing self-examinations of the testicles becomes even more realistic. The scrotum contains two…
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SOMSO Male Genital Organs
SOMSO
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Crafted to the highest specifications, this anatomical model of the male genitals is a useful addition to any medical center or clinic with a focus on male reproductive health. This model is medially sectioned, and can be dissected into five parts. The…
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Nonsexual Breast Self-Examination/Testicular Self-Examination Model – 12 in.
x 9 in.
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Designed to minimize embarrassment in mixed groups, this display features simulated breast tissue and a simulated scrotum molded in generic shapes. Each model contains four lumps that can be felt using the correct techniques for breast and testicular…
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Miniature Prostate Anatomy Model
3B Scientific
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NEW and exclusively with original 3B Scientific anatomy models: Prostate Model, 1/2 Natural Size – now enhanced with 3B Smart Anatomy.Your advantages with all 3B Smart Anatomy models:Free warranty extension from 3 to 5 yearsFree access to 3B Smart…
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Male Pelvis With Ligaments, 2-Parts
3B Scientific
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This 3-part model is a natural cast of a male, bone pelvis. It shows all anatomical structures in detail: both hip bones, pubic symphisis, sacrum and coccyx as well as the fifth lumbar vertebra with intervertebral disc. A median section has been placed…
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Pelvis Male, 3-Part
3B Scientific
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This 3-part model is a natural cast of a male, bone pelvis. It shows all anatomical structures in detail: both hip bones, pubic symphisis, sacrum and coccyx as well as the fifth lumbar vertebra with intervertebral disc. A median section has been placed…
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Male Pelvis Anatomy Model With Ligaments Muscles and Organs
3B Scientific
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This 7 part model of the male pelvis shows in accurate detail how the bones, ligaments, vessels and nerves as well as the pelvic floor muscles and the external sex organs are connected to each other. It shows the whole pelvis, through which a median…
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Male Inguinal Hernia Anatomy Model
3B Scientific
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Made in Germany by American 3B Scientific, this natural-sized, graphic model shows the anatomical structures of a male groin with an indirect inguinal hernia, opened in layers. Two diagrammatic illustrations on the base allow for a comparison of direct…
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Condom Training Model (Black)
3B Scientific
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Made in Germany by American 3B Scientific, this model of an erect penis with testicles is used to learn how to use a condom safely. The anatomical structures and its firmness are absolutely realistic, so that your students can train putting on and…
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Condom Training Model (White)
3B Scientific
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$136. 00
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Made in Germany by American 3B Scientific, this model of an erect penis with testicles is used to learn how to use a condom safely. The anatomical structures and its firmness are absolutely realistic, so that your students can train putting on and…
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Life-Size Testicle Anatomy Model
3B Scientific
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The Testicle Anatomy Model is a life-size testicle model from 3B Scientific and manufactured in Germany. This life-size testicle model offers an extremely natural feel. By using SKINlike (dermatologically tested), 3B’s new high-quality silicon, learning…
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Male Reproductive System and Vasectomy
by Robert Tallitsch, PhD | May 5, 2022
Real Male Reproductive Anatomy visualized in 3D with an explanation of a Vasectomy procedure!
youtube.com/embed/8TTB_bPNZ4Q” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>
The functions of the male reproductive organs are:
- the production and maturation of the male gametes, termed sperm,
2. the transportation of sperm to the exterior, and
3. the production of seminal fluid, which activates the spermatozoa, provides nutrients for the spermatozoa, and produces buffers to counteract the acidity of the male urethra and female vagina.
This Brain Builder will discuss the anatomy of the male reproductive system and the surgical procedure termed a vasectomy, which is one form of male birth control.
Male Reproductive System
Scrotum
The scrotum is a pouch of pigmented pelvic skin containing the testes and the proximal segments of the male reproductive tract. It also contains nerves, the arterial vessels supplying the testes with blood, and the venous pampiniform plexus, which drains the testes and forms the testicular vein.
The scrotum is subdivided into right and left compartments by a connective tissue septum. Each compartment contains one testis. The left testis hangs at a lower level within the scrotum than does the right testis.
Testes
Each testis is covered with a tough connective capsule, the tunica albuginea. Deep to the tunica albuginea are the 400-600 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules of the testis, which are the site of sperm formation. The seminiferous tubules empty into a collecting chamber termed the rete testis. The rete testis unite to form 12-20 efferent ductules, which ultimately exit the testis and join with the epididymis.
Male Reproductive Tract
The male reproductive tract is responsible for transporting the sperm to the exterior of the body.
- Epididymis
The epididymis is the site of sperm maturation and activation. In this process the spermatozoa develop the abilities to move and fertilize the female ova.
The epididymis is a long, coiled, single duct. The most proximal part, termed the head of the epididymis, lies on the posterior, superior portion of the testis. This leads to the body of epididymis, which travels inferiorly along the posterolateral border of the testis, where it empties into the ductus deferens (also termed the vas deferens) within the scrotum.
- Ductus Deferens
The ductus deferens is a muscular tube that passes from the scrotum into the pelvic cavity by passing through the inguinal canal of the anterior pelvic wall. There the ductus deferens descends on the interior surface of the pelvic wall, passing medially and crossing the ureter posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum. At this location the ductus deferens joins with the duct of the seminal gland, forming the ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate gland and empties into the prostatic urethra.
- Accessory Glands
The three accessory glands of the male reproductive system are the prostate, seminal glands (seminal vesicles), and the bulbo-urethral glands.
Each seminal gland, which lies between the bladder and rectum, is a coiled gland that develops as a blind-ended outgrowth from the ductus deferens. The duct from each seminal gland joins with the ductus deferens, forming the ejaculatory duct.
The prostate surrounds the initial segment of the urethra within the pelvic cavity, lying inferior to the bladder, posterior to the pubic symphysis, and anterior to the rectum.
There are two bulbo-urethral glands. Each lies on either side of the membranous urethra, the second segment of the male urethra.
These three types of accessory glands produce a significant proportion of the ejaculatory fluid. This fluid activates the spermatozoa, provides nutrients for the spermatozoa, and produces buffers to counteract the acidity of the male urethra and female vagina.
- Urethra
There are three segments to the male urethra: prostatic, membranous, and penile. The prostatic urethra starts at the urinary bladder and passes inferiorly through the prostate, and becomes the membranous urethra upon exiting the prostate gland. The membranous urethra then enters the penis and becomes the penile (spongy) urethra.
Penis
The penis is composed of two parts: the root and the body. The root of the penis is palpable posterior to the scrotum. The body of the penis (also termed the pendulous part) is covered with skin. The distal tip of the body of the penis is covered with the glans penis.
Vasectomy
A vasectomy is a form of male birth control that has a very low risk of complications. It is typically performed as an outpatient in the physician’s office under local anesthesia, and the procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and is more than 99% effective.
The typical procedure involves:
- Numbing the surgical area by injecting a local anesthetic into the skin of the scrotum.
- A small incision is made on the superior, anterior portion of each side of the scrotum in order to locate the right and left ductus deferens within the scrotum.
- Small segments of each (right and left) ductus deferens are externalized through each corresponding incision of the scrotum.
- Each ductus deferens is then cut and the proximal and distal segments are either permanently sampled, cauterized, or tied to prevent the passage of sperm through the cut segments.
- The cut ends of each ductus deferens are then repositioned within their respective sides of the scrotum, and the incisions are sutured closed.
Following the procedure the patient is advised to ice the affected area of the scrotum for 1 to 2 days, wear tight fitting underwear for approximately 2 days, and to refrain from any sexual activity for approximately 10 days after the procedure.
The male will ejaculate some seminal fluid during sexual activity following a vasectomy, but the fluid will no longer contain sperm. However, the physician typically requests a sperm sample 12 or more weeks following the vasectomy to ensure that no sperm are present within the ejaculate.
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Key Terms:
Scrotum – A pouch of pigmented pelvic skin that contains the testes.
Ductus deferens – A muscular tube that connects the epididymis to the duct of the seminal gland, forming the ejaculatory duct.
Seminal glands – A pair of accessory glands of the male reproductive system that develop as blind-ended segments of the ductus deferens.
Bulbo-urethral glands – Paired accessory glands of the male reproductive system which are found to lie on either side of the membranous urethra.
Membranous urethra – The second segment of the male urethra, which connects the prostatic urethra to the penile urethra.
Epididymis – The portion of the male reproductive tract where sperm activate and mature.
Prostatic urethra – The portion of the male urethra that passes through the prostate gland.
Vasectomy – A form of male birth control that involves the cutting of each ductus deferens (vas deferens).
Questions:
- True or False? The seminiferous tubules are the site of sperm formation and maturation.
A: False. The seminiferous tubules are the site of sperm formation but not sperm maturation. - True or False? A vasectomy is a major surgical procedure that must be done in a surgical room of the hospital.
A: False. The procedure is routinely done in the physician’s office as an outpatient. - List the three functions of the male reproductive system.
A: The three functions of the male reproductive system are:
a) production and maturation of the male gametes, termed sperm;
b) transport of sperm to the exterior; and
c) the production of seminal fluid, which activates the spermatozoa, provides nutrients for the spermatozoa, and produces buffers to counteract the acidity of the male urethra and female vagina. - List the three segments of the male urethra, moving from distally to proximally.
A: Penile urethra, membranous urethra, and prostatic urethra - True or False? Following a vasectomy the male is unable to ejaculate.
A: False - True or False? The epididymis passes from the scrotum into the pelvic cavity of the male through the inguinal canal.
A: False. The ductus deferens passes from the scrotum into the pelvic cavity of the male via the inguinal canal. - True or False? The left testis typically hangs lower than the right within the scrotum.
A: True - True or False? There are two pairs of bulbo-urethral glands, and each pair lies on either side of the membranous urethra.
A: False. There are only two bulbo-urethral glands, each of which lies on either side of the membranous urethra. - List the three accessory glands of the male reproductive system.
A: The three accessory glands of the male reproductive system are the prostate, bulbo-urethral gland, and the seminal glands. - True or False? During a vasectomy a small incision is made on the superior, anterior portion of each side of the scrotum in order to locate the right and left ductus deferens within the scrotum.
A: True
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Asya Kazantseva on the male and female brain — T&P
The human brain remains poorly understood, which gives rise to numerous speculations.
Is homosexuality a social construct or is it due to innate factors? How does gender difference manifest itself at the brain level? T&P publishes the text of a speech by science journalist Asya Kazantseva.
In order to talk about men and women, you need to try to understand how they differ from each other, and what determines the formation of sex. We are all used to believing that at the moment of conception, a spermatozoon with either an X chromosome or a Y chromosome enters an egg with an X chromosome, and it depends only on this whether a boy or a girl is born. Nothing else will change, everything is already predetermined. In fact, fertilization is only the first stage of sex determination, and then other stages occur, and mismatch between them is possible. And therefore, a real man and a real woman are only the extreme forms of a continuous spectrum in which many different options are possible. At the moment of conception, we have genes, male chromosomes or female chromosomes, or some atypical, intermediate set of chromosomes, but after that, the endocrine glands should turn on, which normally develop as female, and only if there is a Y chromosome and produced proteins, male endocrine glands can begin to form. If this happened, then the male anatomy begins to form – this happens in the second, third, fourth month of pregnancy. If male hormones, androgens, are produced, they affect the development of the brain, this happens from the fourth to the seventh month of pregnancy. Anatomical differences between a man and a woman from the point of view of the brain are laid during this period and continue to form after birth to a very small extent. And then there are the social aspects.
What happens during conception? A woman is a person who has XX sex chromosomes, a man is a person who has XY sex chromosomes. Accordingly, all female eggs always have an X chromosome, and spermatozoa are divided 50 by 50, half of the spermatozoa have an X chromosome, and the other half have a Y chromosome, and it depends on which spermatozoon fertilizes the egg, who will turn out: a boy or a girl. There is a lot of speculation on this topic about whether it is possible to influence which spermatozoon will fertilize an egg, whether it is possible to choose a boy or a girl. Yes, you can, but in order to do it reliably and scientifically, you will need preimplantation genetic diagnosis. That is, when you do in vitro fertilization in the laboratory, during which several cells are taken from each embryo and they look at what genes they have. This is done in order to prevent genetic diseases. In Russia, the law forbids choosing who you want, a boy or a girl, but there are all sorts of workarounds. You can order a genetic analysis of some diseases for your four embryos that you have, at the same time they will tell you which sex chromosomes each has, and then you will say: “I want embryo number two!”. Formally, doctors will have no reason to refuse you.
“For the formation of male or female anatomy, genes are no longer directly important, it is testosterone that is important, it is androgens that are important.”
What happens next? When you have conceived, in your embryo, basic and completely identical gonads are formed. It is simply called a gonad, because it is not yet known what will come of it. The Wolffian ducts, the Müllerian ducts come from it, some of them can later turn into vas deferens, others can turn into fallopian tubes, but for now this is the basic version of a person. And then, if nothing happens, the basic version will develop as a woman, because any person is a woman by default. If there is a Y-chromosome, and if it produces a special protein called the Müllerian duct regression factor, then under the action of this protein, the Müllerian ducts disappear, from which the fallopian tubes should have turned out. The organism begins to differentiate according to the male type. That is, the normal basic model of a person turns into a man. For example, in the future, clitoral hypertrophy will occur, and the penis will appear instead, and the scrotum will appear instead of the labia (if there is a Y-chromosome, and it works). Accordingly, if there is a Y chromosome, then approximately by the beginning of the second month of pregnancy, this basic gonad turns into a testicle and begins to produce androgens – male sex hormones. And already under the influence of male sex hormones, a lot of changes in anatomy begin. That is, if it begins to produce androgens, then, accordingly, the reproductive system develops in such a way that a person becomes a man. But at the same time, it is important to note that very different options are possible. Perhaps a person with a Y chromosome, but for some reason the protein did not work, or it worked later; sex hormones began to be produced, but for some reason the cells are not sensitive to them. And it is possible that a person is a girl, but at the same time, for some reason, there is an increased level of androgens in the body, and then she becomes masculine.
The important thing here is that genes are no longer directly important for the formation of male or female anatomy, it is testosterone that is important, it is androgens that are important. That is, no matter what genes you have, the whole question is whether you have certain hormones. If you have male hormones, you will become an anatomically male, if you do not have male hormones, you will never become a man. And there are all sorts of interesting consequences here.
© Tony Oursler
Various options available. If a person has the XY genotype, but does not produce testosterone, or it is produced, but the cells are not sensitive to it, then you get a person who looks like a woman, although this is a man from the point of view of genetics. This is a man with testicular feminization syndrome, his cells do not respond to the signal that comes from androgens, and therefore he develops like a woman, looks like a woman. True, unfortunately, he usually cannot have children, although doctors are looking for ways to help them with this, and sometimes it works out. And it happens the other way around: you have a female genotype, but at the same time there is another disease in parallel – (congenital adrenal hyperplasia). That is, the adrenal glands are enlarged, they work very intensively and, among other things, produce androgens. Androgens act on the developing female embryo, he grows up not quite a boy, but, nevertheless, a person quite similar to a man.
Regarding the brain, here is a short quote from the big review: “On average, men have more gray matter in the amygdala, hippocampus, anterior parahippocampal gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus, putamen, anterior temporal lobe, some areas of the anterior cingulate cortex left hemisphere, some areas of the cerebellum. — This is a translation with abbreviations and simplifications! – Women (also on average) have more gray matter in some areas of the frontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, some parts of Wernicke’s area, parietal operculum, anterior cingulate gyrus, insular cortex, some parts of the primary auditory cortex, thalamus, precuneus, left parahippocampal gyrus and some parts of the occipital cortex”. Whose brain is better? It is important that there are quite a few differences, but it is far from clear about all of these differences how statistically significant they are in general, because studies are often conducted, for example, on small samples, and individual variability can be greater than inter-sex. In addition, it is not very clear which of these differences matter and which do not. The brain not only thinks, it also continuously processes information from the senses and from the body, and we are not always aware of this. And it is not at all necessary that any enlarged inferior frontal gyrus will lead to any differences in behavior or any differences in intelligence.
“There is no direct relationship between brain size and intelligence, otherwise whales would be smarter than us.”
If we take any anatomical feature of the brain, then most likely we will not be able to find what it affects. There are differences that we assume they affect. It’s impossible to say a priori that someone’s brain is better because they differ in dozens of different departments. But some conclusions, in principle, can be drawn. If we say, for example, that men have a larger brain, yes, indeed, men have a larger brain. The average brain mass of men is 1345 grams, the average brain mass of women is 1222 grams. But, firstly, it is clear that we are talking about the average, and at the same time, the individual spread can be very large. And if you point your finger at any individual woman, then it is quite possible that she has a larger brain than any individual man. And, secondly, there is, in fact, no such direct relationship between brain size and intelligence, otherwise whales would definitely be smarter than us. And it’s not at all obvious to me that whales are smarter than us: at least we built Moscow, but they didn’t. But a woman has a larger brain in relation to body weight. In addition, the female brain has a better blood supply.
But there are, nevertheless, zones in which there are pronounced differences between the brain of a man and the brain of a woman. And there is some reason to believe that perhaps this affects something. In particular, we have the hypothalamus. This is a very important control center in the brain that regulates the entire functioning of our endocrine system, including sexual behavior. There is an area in the hypothalamus that is called that – SDN, sexually dimorphic nucleus, the nucleus of sexual dimorphism. And in men this core is twice as large as in women; it contains twice as many cells. This is fairly common knowledge, and has been confirmed by quite a few brain autopsies. That is, indeed, in men it is large, it has a lot of cells, in women it is small, it has fewer cells. Dick Swaab, in one of his reviews, argues that in fact all people are born with a fairly large nucleus, and then in women it decreases in the first two to four years of life. But two or four years is still quite early, here it is still difficult to say that they were programmed by society.
What causes homosexuality?
There are a number of speculations that homosexual men also have a reduced core of sexual dimorphism, like women, and that is why they like men. But in fact, this is not very reliable, because there is, for example, a study by Levey, who studied 41 people and showed that in gay men this nucleus in the hypothalamus is smaller. However, later there were other autopsies, in which the difference was either not found, or it turned out to be insignificant. It is known that in animals the size of this nucleus is indeed associated with sexual orientation. For example, homosexuality in sheep is very widespread. Approximately eight percent of rams never sleep with females at all, but sleep only with males. And these animals really have areas closer to female ones. It is also known that it is possible to make a gay man out of a ferret if he destroys these sections.
If we are talking about homosexuality, then it is important to understand that this is not some kind of binary sign, not black or white, you cannot say that a person is either gay or straight. In fact, there are indeed people who are absolutely homosexual, there are people who are absolutely heterosexual, but there are not very many of them. There is the famous Kinsey scale, an American sexologist who studied the sexual behavior of people. And he did this test, where zero means that you are absolutely heterosexual, that you have never looked at people of your gender with some kind of erotic thoughts, that you have not even had purely platonic, romantic love for them, that you never don’t watch porn with them that they don’t interest you in any way at all, and you don’t even like the thought of touching them.
This is followed by another level, where you predominantly prefer people of the opposite sex, but in principle, for example, in your teens you loved a person of the same sex with tender romantic affection. Or, for example, you agree to watch pornography in which there are three people, and two of them are of your gender. Well, or maybe you even once kissed someone. It also happens this way: a person is predominantly heterosexual, but at the same time he admits the possibility of sleeping with a person of the same sex if the opportunity presents itself. There is a middle, when a person, in general, does not care: to sleep with men or with women, whoever is, that is. But further, accordingly, homosexuality can also be more or less expressed. Also, a person may prefer mainly people of his own sex, but on occasion he can sleep with a person of the opposite. It happens that a person prefers people of his own sex very pronouncedly, he did not sleep with people of the opposite sex, but he admits such a possibility, he likes them sometimes. And it happens that a person is absolutely homosexual, and people of the opposite sex are not interested in him at all. And where you are on this scale is now considered to be largely dependent on innate characteristics. Therefore, if we are talking about “propaganda of homosexuality”, which the St. Petersburg deputy Milonov loves so much, then it, perhaps, will partly affect those who are on the lines one to five, in terms of the frequency of their novels with boys or girls . However, the promotion of sexual orientation – homosexual or heterosexual – still will not change your nature: you will still like boys just as often, girls will like you just as often. At most, this will affect whether you will show it and to what extent. If you are a real innate homosexual person, then no matter what you do, no matter what propaganda you do, you will still strive to find people of your gender in order to sleep, love, live with them. And if you are absolutely heterosexual, then no matter how you try to persuade you, you will never look at a person of your own sex. Today, quite a lot of evidence has been accumulated that homosexuality is largely an innate property. We said that there is some controversy with anatomical differences, but there is more proven evidence for differences in brain physiology.
© Tony Oursler
For example, Karolinska Institute, the one that chooses Nobel laureates. He has a fairly large research unit on this topic. For example, they found that if a person’s right hemisphere is larger than the left, and the amygdala is more active in the right hemisphere, then this person will prefer women, and it doesn’t matter at all whether he is a lesbian or whether he is heterosexual a man. Just by looking at his brain, you can tell that such a brain usually likes women. And if there is no obvious difference between the hemispheres, and the amygdala is more active in the left hemisphere, then the person prefers men, regardless of whether it is a homosexual man or a heterosexual woman.
Even more interesting things came to light when another group of subjects at the same university were herded into a tomograph, where they were presented with male and female pheromones. It turned out the following: if you like men, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, then the areas of the brain associated with sexual behavior are activated in response to the presentation of male pheromones. And if you like women, regardless of whether you are a woman or a man, then in you such areas of the brain are activated in response to the presentation of female pheromones. And the important thing here is that these are things that cannot be changed by education. These are things that were formed in embryogenesis. That is, while the brain was still being formed in the womb, you already had in mind what pheromones you would respond to, what size your amygdala would be, and what kind of lateralization of the hemispheres you would have. No propaganda can do anything here.
But it’s also important to understand that “innate” does not necessarily mean “genetic”. Yes, indeed, there are genes that are associated with homosexuality. But there are also environmental conditions that are associated with homosexuality. We are talking about environmental conditions that influenced the stages of embryonic development. Here are known about male homosexuality, for example, now such things: a man is more likely to become homosexual if, firstly, he has differences in the Xq-28 region on the X chromosome. Specific genes have not yet been identified there, but it is known that the nucleotide sequence in this region is slightly different in gay men and in heterosexual men. And here the question arises: why was this not eliminated by natural selection, why, if we have genes that cause homosexuality, then they continue to persist through so many generations of our evolution, if homosexual people, as a rule, do not leave offspring, what’s the matter?
There is the following data on this topic: it turned out that when these genes enter the body of a man, they increase the likelihood of his homosexuality, but when they enter the body of a woman, they increase her ability to reproduce. These women are easier to get pregnant, easier to bear, easier to give birth, and perhaps even love children more. At least according to family studies, it turns out that women with such features of the X chromosome have more children on average, statistically. Researchers at the University of Padua observed female relatives of gay men and found that female relatives of gay men, on average, have more children. There are genes that in a woman increase the ability to reproduce, and in a man they greatly reduce the ability to reproduce. But, nevertheless, women compensate for this, and due to this, genes remain and are preserved in the population.
There is another interesting hypothesis: the likelihood of becoming gay increases in case of stress experienced by the mother during pregnancy. Because due to stress in any biological being, the level of activity of any sex hormones decreases. That is, in itself, an increase in the level of cortisol, the stress hormone, is a signal to all the ovaries, to all the testicles, to all the gonads that you need to muffle activity, because now there is no time for love, you need to survive, run and save yourself. Therefore, if a pregnant woman has an elevated level of cortisol, then this cortisol penetrates through the placenta into the body of her son, with whom she is pregnant, and muffles the production of androgens. And if this happens in the last trimester of pregnancy, when a boy’s brain is formed in him, then it may form to a lesser extent, not so pronounced.
“Hitler tried to fight gays, and because of his actions, there were more gays in Germany.”
There are many experiments on animals about this, for example, they are being done in Novosibirsk. There is Tamara Amstislavskaya, who takes pregnant rats, puts these rats in a cage, shines a bright light on them, stresses them in every possible way. In a cage – I mean in a very small, cramped, where the rat cannot move, do nothing. In general, rats experience a lot of stress, and then their born rat sons are more likely to exhibit homosexual behavior. Pregnant human women, thank God, were not specially stressed, however, there are statistical data that, for example, in Germany in 1944-1945 more gays were born than before, and more gays than after. In percentage terms, a more significant proportion of men were gay. But because, of course, Germany in 1944-1945 is not the best place and time to be pregnant. There are bombings, war, famine, deprivation, everything is bad. It’s a pity that Hitler didn’t find out, illiterate loser. He tried to fight gays, and because of his actions there were more gays in Germany.
In fact, some of the behavioral traits that we are accustomed to consider as absolutely social may be partly related to our biological nature. This is indirectly proved by the games of monkeys. It is known that if monkeys are given toys, then monkey boys prefer to play with cars and spend twice as much time with them than with other toys. About monkey girls in 2010, an amazing study was published that chimpanzee girls in the wild play with dolls. That is, a chimpanzee lives in the forest, she finds some piece of wood, and walks with this piece of wood, cradles it, eats with it, sleeps with it and, importantly, never uses this piece of wood for any utilitarian purposes. That is, in general, chimpanzees use tools, they use, for example, sticks to break something, some nut shell, or extract something, for example, termites. As for this wand, it is only for love and care, and no functional things are done with it. As soon as a young female has her first cub, she immediately abandons these games. An adult chimpanzee was once seen cradling a doll, but it turned out to be an adult childless chimpanzee.
It seems that society can hardly somehow influence whether we feel like men or women, because this is innate and depends on the brain, how it was formed, with what hormones. But society can clearly influence what we put into it, what forms of behavior seem normal to us for a man, what forms of behavior seem normal to us for a woman, and which ones seem abnormal. In this case, we can give an example of female programmers, because the first programmer in history was a woman: back in the 19th century, Ada Lovelace came up with a program for a hypothetical computer. There were many other excellent female programmers. For example, the Apollo program was led by Margaret Hamilton, who created very good software for the vehicles that landed on the moon.
© Tony Oursler
Nevertheless, since about the 1970s, American universities have seen an increase in the number of women who received degrees in various sciences, an increase in the number of women doctors, an increase in the number of women lawyers, an increase in the number of women in physics , and the number of women who received a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer science, was growing. But then something happened in the mid-80s. There were still more women doctors, lawyers, and physicists, and the number of women studying programming was creeping down. And according to the American Department of Education in 1983 among all bachelors in computer science there were 37% of girls, and in 1998 26%. The fall is quite strong. What this is connected with is not completely clear, but the most realistic version is that it was in the mid-80s that personal computers began to appear. And, judging by all sorts of opinion polls, it turned out that computers were bought for sons, not daughters, because, well, why does a girl need a computer, let her play with dolls, and let the boy sit at the computer. As a result, when a girl decided to enter computer science, it turned out that she knew much less than her male peers, because they all had computers.
Who is smarter: a man or a woman?
Who is smarter: a man or a woman? Correct answer: I don’t know. If we directly compare IQ or any other measure of intelligence like the g-factor, the standard factor of intelligence, then different studies get different results, but they always do not differ much. That is, it either turns out that there is no difference at all between men and women, or that the difference is in favor of men, but somehow not very significant – one, three, five points at the most. At the same time, it is again clear that this happens when we average large samples, and says absolutely nothing about the intelligence of any particular person. There are interesting data about what people think with different parts of the brain: IQ in men correlates with the amount of gray matter in the frontal and parietal lobes, and in women with the amount of gray matter (that is, the bodies of neurons) also in the frontal lobes, but besides this and in Broca’s area. That is, perhaps the intelligence of women is a little more “verbal”, because Broca’s area is associated with speech. There are solid studies, for example, that studied 72,000 high school students and how they passed various tests – for reading, mathematics, vocabulary, scientific literacy, and so on. As a result, it turned out that, in general, the results of boys and girls are comparable, but at the same time, the boys have more individual variation, that is, the girls are getting closer to the golden mean, everyone approximately gets a four, some get a five, some get a three, but on average – four. And among the boys there are more of both the smartest and the most stupid. That is, among boys there are more of those who get 5+ than among girls, and among boys there are more of those who get one than among girls. That is, in many parameters related to intelligence, women have a narrower Gaussian. Perhaps this is precisely the point when they say: “why are there only men among geniuses?”. You can also say: “Among the morons, there are also solid men.”
Here, of course, it is also very important to understand the extent to which all this is related to the pressure of the environment. I know one big study published in the journal Science, which looked at more than two hundred thousand people in school performance in relation to gender. They found that boys’ mathematical ability was better than boys’ verbal ability. And the verbal ability of girls is better than the mathematical ability of girls. When compared between the sexes, it turns out that girls in any country are ahead of boys when it comes to reading. And when it comes to mathematics, boys usually outperform girls. But then the scientists did the following interesting thing: they compared it with the social indicator of female emancipation. They looked at different countries, how pronounced women’s emancipation is in them, how easy it is for a woman to get access to education, work, power, and so on. They found that there is a correlation. If a country has a weak level of female emancipation, then in this country boys know mathematics much better than girls. And if a country has a high level of female emancipation, then in this country girls know mathematics as well as boys, or even ahead of them.
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