The Reproductive System of Male Pigs

The reproductive system of the male pig is located in the abdomen and extends outside the abdominal cavity in the area of the groin. Its main function is to produce and maintain a sperm supply.

  1. Anatomy

    • The male pig's reproductive system is comprised of the testes, the epidiymes, the ampullae and the seminal vesicles, all of which are paired. In addition there is the prostate gland, the bulbo-urethral glands and the penis.

    Testes

    • The testes are the primary organs of reproduction in the male pig and they are responsible for producing hormones and sperm. They are contained in the scrotum and are comprised of a complex network of ducts known as seminiferous tubules.

    Urethra and Penis

    • The urethra is a canal that runs from the bladder to the end of the penis which consists of the root, shaft and glans. Both semen and urine are excreted via the urethra. Semen is formed when seminal plasma joins with sperm and is transported through the urethra during ejaculation. In the pig, the average number of sperm per ejaculation is a whopping 8,000 million compared to 280 million in humans.

    Notable Fact

    • The male pig's testes are unusual in that they are anatomically upside down, which means that sperm is stored near the top of the testicle.