Why do men have nipples?

Hilda Bird, Lagos, Portugal

• Because we are built to a common pattern. All people contain the genetic information to be either male or female, but in the vast majority of people only one alternative develops.

  All humans are born with rudimentary potential breasts. In the case of women they are triggered to develop hormonally as a secondary sexual characteristic. Men not only have nipples, but undeveloped (pre-pubescent) breasts. Anyway, they have entertainment value.

  Quentin Langley, Woking, UK

• So we know when it's time to put on a jumper.

  David Lloyd, Oxford, UK

• so we can suffer from mammary-deficit-jealousy-syndrome. O.K., so i made the name up, but it's true.

  ranald, edinburgh

• Beer tits would look ridiculous without them.

  Colm, Derry South Korea

• So we can have them pierced.

  Michael, Barnstaple UK

• to stop their chest fraying

  Cassie, Birmingham UK

• If they don't have nipples their body looks empty.

  Joyce, London, UK

• To twist, so females can punish men if they've been naughty.

  Charlotte Glebocki,

• How else would we be able to attach nipple clamps?

  Gareth , London, UK

• So my friends can make fun of me when I choose not to wear a jacket from the car to the pub in the winter time.

  Joel, Seattle, US

• Just in case!

  Jimmy, Sydney, Australia

• Ask Brian Honeyman of the law Society of England and Wales ...he knows everything ...

  Anon,

• I have to agree with my fellow oxonian,it is purely an indication of temperature,and a jolly good way of chastisement,a good tweek can stop even the naughtiest behaviour.

  janine Bailey, Oxford

• I'm not really sure why but I'm so glad I have mine to tweak, at work or on the bus. Sometimes on the toilet reading the paper or while watching my neighbours through their window. They bought a rowing machine.

  Andrew Anderson, Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand

• Because people like me need something to play with when bored...

  Adam Newsham, Preston

• So your girlfriend can suck them ;)

  Jake Reed, Derby

• Rudimentary nipples on a male are just for fun. They have no useful purpose - like a bullet with no gun. We cannot reach to suck them, if we could there'd be no point; they make no milk, and consequently only disappoint.

  Alan Gibbs, Southport, England, UK

• Male humans can and do produce milk, i.e., they can lactate. Male breasts contain all the structures needed to produce milk. Further, it is not uncommon to observe lactation in both male and female infants, due to the stimulation they receive from their mother's hormones.

  tom, morpeth england

• it is how men develop

  daniel, frome england

• gen 2:23-24 God created man and woman and they became one flesh and she should compliment him

  james, sydney australia

• To provide an answer to the question "What is pink and turns?"

  Matt, Kernow