Why Do Male Mammals Have Nipples

[Debbie3832]

I have always been intrigued with this, about why God created not just human males with them, but nearly all male mammals have them too in the animal kingdom. Information on the internet stated male mice were the only mammals to lose them but it was not known why. At one time it was speculated that male mammals took part in nurturing offspring, but clearly that's not the case now so why are they still present in all males except mice? Look at your male dogs, cats, livestock, etc. The nipples are small but they are there.

 

[Darkhorse]

My understanding is: when a male embryo begins to form, it follows the developmental "template" for creating a female (since female is the default sex). Because this embryo is genetically a male, it forms testicles instead of ovaries, and the testicles begin producing testosterone. The testosterone produces male genitals, but the nipples have already formed by this time, and they remain. The male also has milk glands and ducts, just like the female. The male doesn't produce milk since they don't produce the hormones necessary to create milk.

I don't know about all mammals, but male horses don't have nipples. The place where their nipples would be is occupied by their "sheath", which is where their penis emerges from the inside of their body.

 

[Brightmoon]

In humans the default is sorta female . The testes form where ovaries stay inside the body and drop into the scrotum later. Males do have nipples because they have breasts but they’re undeveloped. The penis is an enlarged [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] that also envelops the urethra in a male . So it’s not just nipples

 

[Debbie3832]

My understanding is: when a male embryo begins to form, it follows the developmental "template" for creating a female (since female is the default sex). Because this embryo is genetically a male, it forms testicles instead of ovaries, and the testicles begin producing testosterone. The testosterone produces male genitals, but the nipples have already formed by this time, and they remain. The male also has milk glands and ducts, just like the female. The male doesn't produce milk since they don't produce the hormones necessary to create milk.

I don't know about all mammals, but male horses don't have nipples. The place where their nipples would be is occupied by their "sheath", which is where their penis emerges from the inside of their body.

You are right horses don't have them, upon research rats and mice don't either. I should have said some animals besides humans do. However, I have seen them on dogs and goats, and there are others.

 

[Darkhorse]

You are right horses don't have them, upon research rats and mice don't either. I should have said some animals besides humans do. However, I have seen them on dogs and goats, and there are others.

Yes, cats, pigs and bulls also have them.

A zoologist would really be helpful here.

 

[trophy33]

During the first several weeks, male and female embryos follow the same blueprint, which includes the development of nipples,
Why Do Men Have Nipples?

So, males have them, because they are part of the first, common development of embryo, before its decided if it will be male or female. This is a technical answer.

Your answer for meaning "why is this a part of the common features of embryo"... thats probably hard to answer.
Maybe because its important for the survival of species, to be able to nurture young ones, therefore its in the basic features of embryo.
The damage of not having them in females because of some error in later development of embryo would be great, therefore its assurance of having them makes a byproduct for males to have them, too.

 

[Kaon]

I have always been intrigued with this, about why God created not just human males with them, but nearly all male mammals have them too in the animal kingdom. Information on the internet stated male mice were the only mammals to lose them but it was not known why. At one time it was speculated that male mammals took part in nurturing offspring, but clearly that's not the case now so why are they still present in all males except mice? Look at your male dogs, cats, livestock, etc. The nipples are small but they are there.

They are nerve endings we need. Females need larger ones to carry more efficient signals for lactation.