2006-09-27 22:18:40 · 7 answers · asked by Robert B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
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2006-09-28 02:47:09 · answer #1 · answered by starla_o0 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because ALL foetuses are female! At a certain point in development the Y chromosome starts to change things. Some parts are modified(vagina to penis), others are not made(womb, fallopian tubes), but the breasts remain UNCHANGED, it is only testosterone at the time of puberty that stops them from growing in males.
Unfortunately, a reduction of testosterone causes a condition called gynaecomastia(male breasts), they wont be as big as female breasts, but they will be noticeable, and the only way to remove/reduce them will be by surgery.
The short simple answer to why men have nipples is because men are just modified women!!!
2006-09-28 16:34:31 · answer #2 · answered by colin.christie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's simpler than not having nipples. It would be too much work for the nipples on an undifferrentiated foetus to disappear once the masculinising hormones kicked in, and natural selection doesn't favour unnecessary expenditure.
2006-09-28 10:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by lauriekins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because (in mst cases) nipples are the exits of mammary gland productions and male mammals ARE still mammals, so they have mammary glands, hence nipples
Male mammals have nipples (with the exception of the duck billed platypus and the echidna/spiny anteater) because mammals are defined by 2 things; the ability to nourish their young with milk and fur/hair.
Even though the female mammal typically nurses the young, BOTH male and female mammals have mammary glands and BOTH male and female mammals have the structure that milk typically comes from, the nipple (save aforementioned exceptions).
Interestingly, male mammals CAN and DO produce milk in extreme circumstances and yes MEN CAN LACTATE, weird, but true.
Try the following resources, if you dont believe me.
http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/misc...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/male_lactat...
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/m...
or do your own search for "male lactation"
2006-09-29 18:46:57 · answer #4 · answered by phd4jc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is because the nipple forms before week 14 of embryonic development, which is when gender-specific glands and structures are formed.
2006-09-28 09:20:53 · answer #5 · answered by Chapadmalal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same reason we have an appendix - non-functional evolutionary remnants of structures which were functional at an earlier stage of our evolutionary development.
2006-09-28 10:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where would you put the nipple clamps?
2006-09-29 07:20:44 · answer #7 · answered by Druid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋