Video Transcript
Fill in the blank. In males, the testis produces sex
hormones that are directly secreted in the blank. (A) Bloodstream, (B) semen, (C)
prostate, (D) vas deferens, (E) bladder.
This question asks about the
secretions of the testes in males. Here’s an overview of the male
reproductive system. You’ll recall that the testes, or
testis as singular, are the male gonads that secrete sex hormones and produce
gametes. Let’s take a closer look at this
diagram to identify different parts of the male reproductive system.
Sperm are produced in the
seminiferous tubules inside the testes, which are then stored in the epididymis,
where they mature until ejaculation. During ejaculation, sperm travel
from the epididymis through the vas deferens. On their way, sperm are mixed with
secretions from different glands to form semen. One of these glands is the
prostate, which we can see here. The semen can then travel through
the urethra to exit the penis during ejaculation.
Now that we’re familiar with the
anatomy of the male reproductive system, let’s talk more about the secretions of the
testes. The major hormone secreted by the
testes is testosterone. This hormone controls many aspects
of male secondary sexual characteristics, including increasing muscle mass,
development of the sex organs, producing hair on the body and face, and deepening of
the voice. The testes do not contain a duct to
secrete their hormones. So they are considered endocrine
glands. Endocrine glands secrete their
hormones directly into the bloodstream.
So, if we go back to our question,
the statement “In males, the testis produces sex hormones that are directly secreted
in the blank,” the answer choice that correctly fills in the blank is given by
answer choice (A), bloodstream.
