What you need to know about prostate function

Men who have reached reproductive age need to know that an important organ in them is the prostate gland, what functions it performs in the human body. This unique male organ is assigned by nature to perform important functions: it produces prostatic secretions and hormones, participates in the act of urination and implements male sexual intercourse.

The quality of spermatozoa, their mobility and ability to fertilize depends on this organ. The prostate is very vulnerable, it is often exposed to pathogenic bacteria, hormonal changes and adverse environmental factors also leave their mark.

The structure of the prostate

The structure of the genitourinary system of the male body is very different from that of the female. The presence of the prostate gland, its activity, which is called the second heart in the stronger sex, determines the work of the organs located in the small pelvis. It is the prostate, the functions of which are invaluable, which contributes to the normal potency, sexual activity and reproductive performance of men.

This important organ of men, similar to an oval object in shape, is located in the small pelvis. The gland is dense but elastic in structure, keeps it in place in the right position and protects the stroma, which is made up of connective tissue. It is, as it were, in a capsule, which is its stroma. Its size depends on the age of men; in newborn boys, iron is almost invisible to the eye, since at that time there are no tissues in it.

In a mature man, the weight of the gland reaches 16-20 grams. After 45-50 years, its tissues begin to atrophy, the process ends closer to 70 years.

In section, the organ consists of a base and apical, anterior and posterior parts. Its narrowed apex is directed towards the urogenital diaphragm. The smoothed and wide surface of the concave shape of the iron adjoins the bladder. Its anterior part is located close to the pubic articulation, connected to the pubic symphysis. The back of the gland is directed towards the rectum. Its lateral parts are rounded, smooth-convex.

The inside of the prostate is divided into two lateral lobes by thin grooves in the form of depressions. A urinary canal with a length of about 3 cm passes through the prostate. They connect to the two ejaculatory ducts.

Such a close proximity of the prostate to the bladder causes symptoms of pain and incomplete emptying during the coping of small needs in men. Inflammatory processes in the prostate caused by pathogenic bacteria, infections lead to an increase in its size. Then the prostate begins to press on the walls of the urethra. This is the cause of pain when urinating in men.

Functions of the prostate gland in men

The activity of the prostate gland determines the ability to reproduce in men, the normal act of urination. By nature, it is assigned to perform many functions in the human body.

It performs the functions:

• Secretarial.
• Motor.
• Internal.
• Transport.
• Barrier.

Each of these functions is unique and important in a man's body. Violation of at least one of them leads to problems in the urogenital tract.

Secretory function

As mentioned above, the quality of sex life and reproductive performance in the stronger sex largely depend on the health of the prostate gland. It produces and secretes a secret that makes up about one third of the ejaculate and ensures the movement of sperm to the female ovum, so that the role of the prostate is very significant for the male body. With the onset of puberty, adolescents begin to produce prostatic juice.

During this period, the prostate in young men is gradually overgrown with muscle tissue. Then, as they grow older, the gland actively grows, its size increases. The chemical and biological composition also undergoes changes until puberty is complete. After the completion of the process of puberty, the gland in young men begins to produce prostatic secretions and functions as a full-fledged male organ. In old age, after 60-65, the prostate loses its secretory function, it decreases in size.

The prostatic secretion of a mature adult man is characterized by a light yellow color, which has a peculiar smell. Its chemical composition is determined by the physiological state of the prostate gland, it is complex. Only a healthy organ in men can ensure high fertility. About two ml of prostatic secretion is produced per day. There are no pathogenic bacteria in normal secretions.

The secretory function of the prostate is regulated by the hormones androgens.

Prostatic secretion has a liquid but dense fraction.It consists of the following components:

• spermine;
• amino acids and essential proteins;
• phospholipids (lipoid bodies);
• enzymes;
• organic acids;
• trace elements: calcium and potassium, sodium and zinc, as well as chlorides, phosphates and nitrates.

These biological substances of the secretion create an excellent breeding ground for sperm and help to activate their activity. Prostatic juice is responsible for sperm vitality.

Thanks to the secretion of the prostate, the ejaculate acquires a liquid consistency and easily passes through the urethra. Prostatic juice helps the male reproductive cells in their basic reproductive function. By the density and pH level, the secret is adapted to preserve the viability of spermatozoa, in an acidic environment they would immediately die. The substances included in its composition help the normal functioning of all organs of the reproductive system of the stronger sex. They help sperm to maintain vitality even for several days outside the body of a man.

The secret of the prostate, secreted by the gland, differs in the content of biologically active substances:

• prostate-specific antigen (PSA);
• citric acid, sodium citrate;
• lysozyme, prostaglandin and immunoglobulin, which help to strengthen local immunity.

The secretory function of the prostate gland is regulated by the sex hormone testosterone, the activity is controlled by the endocrine system. With a decrease in the level of testosterone in the body of men, the prostate gland begins to produce it intensively. Thanks to the enzymes of the gland, the seminal fluid of the prostate from a stretching thick state acquires a fluid, liquefied state.

Thus, the liquid fraction of the prostatic juice allows to ensure the mobility of spermatozoa, to increase their ability to fertilize and reproduce in men. The components of prostate juice create a normal acid-base balance in the body to ensure the vital activity of sperm.

Motor function

The next important function of the prostate gland is considered to be motor. The gland acts as a kind of valve, a mechanical barrier to prevent the mixing of urine with euculate. How does this happen? To imagine this process, one must remember the anatomy of the prostate gland. The muscle fibers of the gland, when contracted, produce the release of prostatic secretions.

Thanks to the muscle ring (sphincter), the flow of urine from the bladder to the urinary canal is blocked during euculation. Urine is retained during the release of prostatic secretions and does not mix with semen during intercourse and in other situations associated with euculation. In addition, muscle fibers by involuntary contraction relieve stagnation of blood and lymph in the pelvic organs.

Internal function of the gland

The internal function of the prostate can be imagined as a beneficial effect of hormones produced by the gland on the male body. Hormones help the process of protein-carbohydrate metabolism, maintaining the tone of all smooth muscles in men (and the prostate itself, among them).

Thanks to the internal function, the natural efficiency of the erection mechanism occurs. In case of defective work of the prostate gland, there may be various problems in the work of internal organs in the form of metabolic disorders, increased irritability, apathy and insomnia, decreased potency.

Transport

The transport function of the prostate acts as follows: by contraction of the smooth muscle fibers of the seminal vesicles, semen is ejected into the urethra during intercourse.

Barrier function

Due to the function of the prostate to protect the organs of the genitourinary system, infections and pathogenic pathogenic bacteria cannot penetrate to them by the flow of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. The microelement zinc contained in the tissues of the gland has the property of protecting the organs of the genital area from diseases, it actively participates in the synthesis of the sex hormone testosterone, without which the production of germ cells and male reproduction are impossible.

Due to the smooth muscle structure of the prostate gland, the release of seminal fluid stimulates the receptors of the seminal tubercle of the prostate, and men achieve orgasm during intercourse.

Therefore, the functions of the prostate gland are determined and ensured by the normal functioning of the body of men, their fertile ability.