Sperm Production

• 1.At puberty a releaser hormone is produced by the hypothalamus.

  2. The pituitary gland is stimulated to releases follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) and interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH).

  3. FSH stimulates sperm production in the seminiferous tubules in the testes.

  4. ICSH stimulates the interstitial cells to produce testosterone

  5. Testosterone stimulates sperm production.

  6. Sperm/gametes are produced from germline stem cells by meiosis.

  called negative feedback
• 7. Testosterone activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.

  8. Secrete fluids that maintain sperm mobility and viability

  9. When levels of testosterone concentration are high in the bloodstream it inhibits the secretion of FSH and ICSH by the pituitary gland

  10. This in turn lowers the level of testosterone bringing levels back to normal

  11. This type of self regulating mechanisms is called negative feedback