Difference Between Male and Female Reproductive System

The key difference between male and female reproductive system is that the male reproductive system produces sperms while the female reproductive system produces egg cells or the ova. Furthermore, the formation of sperms occurs in a cold environment, whereas the formation of ova occurs under warm conditions within the ovaries.

The ultimate objective of all living organisms, by nature, is to contribute for the reproduction, to ensure their being is preserved and survived in the future. The reproduction could be either sexual or asexual, but sexual reproduction is the most common, advanced, and advantageous mean of the two methods. In order for sexual reproduction to take place, two morphs known as males and females have been evolved for each species. The primary factor that classifies the males and females is the presence of the respective reproductive system. Thus, each reproductive system consists of different organ systems that facilitate an efficient reproduction between humans.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Male Reproductive System
3. What is Female Reproductive System
4. Similarities Between Male and Female Reproductive System
5. Side by Side Comparison – Male vs Female Reproductive System in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Male Reproductive System?

Male reproductive system is the organ system that produces male gametes (sperms) that inherit paternal genes into their offspring. It consists of two basic structures called penis and scrotum, which locates around the pelvic girdle and mostly outside of the body in mammals. Scrotum covers the testes, and that is where the production of semen and sperms takes place. In most mammals, scrotum situates outside, but in elephants, it locates inside their body. Sperm production takes place in a relatively cool environment, hence the location of the testes changes based on the temperature of the body.

The fat layer of the scrotum functions as a thermal insulator when it locates outside the body. Inside the scrotum, there are few important internal structures known as testes, epididymis, and vas deferens. The bulbourethral gland, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and accessory glands are also important for the function of the entire reproductive system of the males.

Maturation and storage of sperms take place in the epididymis, and they are passed into the vas deferens, which is about 40 cm long. Testes carry all those tubes, and they produce the hormone called testosterone as well. Seminal vesicles and accessory glands produce lubrication and nourishing fluids for the sperms. The penis takes the mature sperms into the female genital system and releases for the fertilization with an ovum. This copulation is facilitated by the erection of the penis through interlocking veins when those filled with blood.

What is Female Reproductive System?

Female reproductive system is the organ system that produces female gametes (eggs). This is the place where males deposit their sperms for fertilization during the sexual reproduction. It consists mainly of female gonads known as ovaries and uterus. There are two ovaries connected to the uterus through the fallopian tubes while the uterus opens to the exterior via the cervix and vagina.

The production of the female gamete known as ovum (plural ova) takes place inside the ovaries, and it comes into the fallopian tube. When an egg cell unites with sperm at the fallopian tube, it produces a diploid zygote. The developing zygote moves into the uterus and implants in the endometrium tissue, which later develops into a fetus

What are the Similarities Between Male and Female Reproductive System?

• Both male and female reproduction systems involve in the formation of gametes.
• These organ systems are necessary for sexual reproduction.
• Meiosis takes place in both systems during gamete formation.
• Both secrete specific hormones.

What is the Difference Between Male and Female Reproductive System?

The male reproductive system produces male gametes while the female reproductive system produces female gametes. Male gametes and female gametes unite during the sexual reproduction and form a diploid cell called zygote. This is the key difference between male and female reproductive system. Furthermore, the formation of sperms by the male reproductive system occurs in a cold environment, whereas the ova formation by the female reproductive system occurs under warm conditions within the ovaries. Moreover, the male reproductive system produces the testosterone hormone while the female reproductive system produces the hormones progesterone and estrogen.

The below infographic presents more details on the difference between male and female reproductive system.

Summary – Male vs Female Reproductive System

Male and female reproductive systems are important organs in organisms which carry out sexual reproduction. Male reproductive system produces male gametes while female reproductive system produces female gamete. Fertilization of male and female gametes mostly occur within the female reproductive system. Testosterone is a hormone produced by male reproductive system while progesterone and estrogen are two hormones produced by female reproductive system. This is the difference between male and female reproductive system.

Reference:

1.Boundless. “Boundless Anatomy and Physiology.” Lumen, Open SUNY Textbooks. Available here  
2.“Male Reproductive System – Explore Anatomy with Detailed Pictures.” InnerBody, Innerbody. Available here  

Image Courtesy:

1.”Illu repdt male”By US Government Medical Diagram, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”Scheme female reproductive system-en”By Mysid from a CDC image (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia