AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
SS2
ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
DEFINITION
This is the ability of an animal to give birth to young ones. This purpose of reproduction is to ensure
continuity of life. If there is no reproduction in farm animals, they will go into extinction.
Farm animals reproduce sexually and are mostly viviparous because they bear their young ones alive.
Poultry birds on the other hand are oviparous because they produce their young ones by hatching eggs
after incubation.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The male reproductive (organ) system is made up of the primary sexual character and the secondary
sexual character. The primary sexual character is made up of the Testes, while the secondary sexual
character consists of the scrotum, Cowper’s gland, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, urethra, penis, vas
deferens and sperm duct.
FUNCTIONS OF THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
1. TESTIS
They are located within the scrotum or scrotal sac. When stimulated by the hormone testosterone it
secretes spermatozoa. Removal of the testes is called Castration. The spermatozoa are produced by
the process of spermatogenesis.
2. SCROTUM
The scrotum houses the testes. it also regulates the temperature of the testes and when the day is
cold, the scrotum shrinks(Constricts) and when the day, is hot, it drops or falls to a lower level. It does
not have hair or very little hair so as to perform its function very well.
3. VAS DEFERENS
This is responsible for conducting or transporting of the sperm from the epididymitis to the neck of
the urethra. The removal of the vas deferens is known as vasectomy. This can only be done when the
animal sexual characters have developed and may be to remove its poor quality. Vasectomy is safer
than castration because the animal can still be stimulated but the sperm is not allowed to come down.
4. EPIDIDYMIS
The epididymis ensures the storage and maturation of sperm cells in the testes before it is being used
or released.
5. SEMINAL VESICLE
This region secretes a fluid rich in food substances, this fluid helps in feeding the
spermatozoa before fertilization takes place.
6. PROSTATE GLAND
This secretes a prostrate fluid which helps to inhibit urine formation during copulation and
ejaculation.
7. COWPER’S GLAND
This also secretes the Cowper’sfluid which is alkaline and helps to reduce the acidity of the sperm.
8. SEMEN
This is a mixture of the seminal fluid and the spermatozoa. Only about 25% of the quantity of
semen ejaculated is spermatozoa the remaining 75% are the seminal fluids.
9. URETHRA
This is a narrow tract a urino-genital organ which helps to inject sperms into the vagina as well as
the removal of urine. The urethra ends externally in penis.
10. PENIS
This is the organ which is used to introduce the sperm into the vagina. When it stimulated, the
arteries expand, the blood flows into the blood vessels thereby making the penis to be turgid that
copulation can takes place.
11. COPULATION
This is mating between the male and female animals.
12. EJACULATION
This is the release of the sperm by the male during copulation.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Draw and label the male reproductive system
2. What are the function of the following Parts of the male reproductive organ.
i.Testes ii. Vas deferens iii urethra
3. Differentiate by Vasectomy and castration.
Submit assignment at the school’s security post
Download Document Here; ANIMAL REPRODUCTION