17-Male reproduction

Question 1

Where does spermatogenesis occur

Answer 1

Testes
Seminiferous tubules
Germ cells
Sertoli cells
Leydig cells

Question 2

Sertoli cells

Answer 2

Stimulated by FSH
Respond to testosterone produced by Leydig cells
Androgen binding protein maintains a high level of testosterone in testes at all times
Provide germ cells with support
Estrogen aromatised from testosterone as needed for fertility and bones

Question 3

Germ cells

Answer 3

Laid down in fetal period
No further development until puberty
One daughter cell remains as germ cells
Why males can produce sperm at any age of life
Always a cell in progenitor pool
One commits to meiosis

Question 4

Spermiogenisis

Answer 4

Acrosome contains enzymes & is essential for fertilisation
Tail (flagellum) contains microtubules and dynein (an ATPase)
Hydrolysis of ATP generated in the adjacent mitochondria provides energy for motility

Sperm are not motile in the seminiferous tubules of the testis
They mature and become more motile in the epididymis
Further maturation occurs in the female tract (capacitation)

Question 5

Inhibin

Answer 5

Inhibits FSH, no effect on LH