1 - Spermatogenesis + Male Tract Flashcards
What is the site of sperm production?
Seminiferous tubules
What is the site of sperm maturation?
Epididymis
What cells make up the seminiferous tubules?
Sertoli cells
What are Sertoli cells referred to as?
Nurse cells - they form the immediate environment surrounding sperm cells as they develop.
What cells surround the seminiferous tubules? And what is their function?
Myoid cells
They contract, propelling sperm through the testicular network given they are NOT capable of swimming yet.
Outside the seminiferous tubules, what components / cells are present?
Blood vessels - nutritive function
Connective tissue
Interstitial cells / Leydig cells
What is the function of Leydig cells?
Site of steroid hormone production.
What are the 2 functions of the testis?
1) Production of sperm (seminiferous tubules)
2) Production of hormones (Leydig cells)
In steroid hormone production within the Leydig cell, what is converted into what?
Cholesterol into testosterone
What happens to testosterone within the Sertoli cell? And what enzyme is responsible?
Testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
5-alpha Reductase
What autocrine effect does testosterone have within Leydig / Sertoli cells?
Promotes cell survival
Rodent K/O studies removing Androgen Receptors (AR) from MALE rats results in what 3 effects?
Small testis (20% of size)
Arrested spermatogenesis at spermatocyte stage
Female appearance
Knocking out the AR in females results in what effect?
Reduced litter sizes
What hormone will be altered by removing the CYP19 gene?
Gene responsible for aromatase enzyme.
Without it, no estrogen will be produced.
