Question Video: Understanding Where Hormones are Released in Humans Biology

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.