Testicle

The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" of virility, plural testes) is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system. The primary functions of the testes are to produce sperm (spermatogenesis) and to produce androgens, primarily testosterone. These hormones have control on the development of the reproductive organs and other male characteristics, such as body and facial hair, low voice, and wide shoulders. Within the testes are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules responsible for producing the sperm cells through a process called spermatogenesis. Both functions of the testicle are influenced by gonadotropic hormones produced by the anterior pituitary. Luteinizing hormone (LH) results in testosterone release. The presence of both testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is needed to support spermatogenesis.

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