After boy reaches puberty, his testes create sperm at a rate of approximately 125 million sperm a day. These gather in the testes and then move on to the coiled tubular system known as the epidemiologist, where they mature. The epidemiologist drains first into the vas deference and from there into the ejaculatory ducts. During sexual activity, these ducts contract and push sperm through the urethra during the process of ejaculation.

Sperm are carried in fluid produced by the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. This fluid, which is known as semen, is rich in nutrients and provides an effective medium within which sperm can stay alive. For about 20 minutes after ejaculation, the sperm hardly move at all, remaining in the gel-like substance. After this, the semen liquefies, and the sperm swim towards their ultimate goal – a female ovum (egg). It is here that fertilization takes place.

Other elements of the male reproductive system are related to the penis and include the urethra, the foreskin and the glans penis. The urethra is the tube through which semen is ejaculated during sexual activity and it is also the tube through which urine passes. The glans penis is the conical swelling at the tip of the penis. In uncircumcised men, the glans is enclosed by the foreskin, which is attached at the neck of the penis.

After about three years of age, the foreskin, or prepuce, usually becomes retractable so that the glans may be exposed up until this time it sticks to the glans. The inside of the foreskin is covered with sebaceous glands that secrete a substance known as smegma, and this should he removed by regular, careful cleaning of the penis. It is hormonal changes in the male and female bodies during puberty that prepares thorn for their ultimate purpose: sexual activity and reproduction.

HORMONES AND THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

The ovaries produce two hormones – estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are controlled b^y the pituitary gland, which produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSI I) and luteinizing hormone (LII), which regulate the menstrual cycle.

During the first half of the menstrual cycle the pituitary produces FSH, which causes an egg to mature within the ovary in preparation for release. Towards the middle of the cycle, LH levels start to rise and trigger the release of the egg (this usually occurs about 14 days before the onset of menstruation). The hormone progesterone causes the uterine lining to thicken during the second half of the menstrual cycle, in preparation for possible implantation of a fertilized egg, should fertilization take place. Whenever fertilization does not occur, the uterine lining is expelled menstrual bleeding.

When a woman’s ovaries stop responding to the effects of FSH and LH (usually between the ages of 45 and 55), she starts to produce less estrogen and progesterone; this is the of the menopause, when menstruation gradually fades out and fertility ceases.

Puberty is the major developmental stage for the reproductive s^ystems of both genders. It is at this time that hormonal changes in the body bring great physical and mental changes, maturation to the reproductive systems for their adult role. Both the male and female systems are perfectly for designed o their unique ultimate function sexual activity and reproduction.