3 - Male Physiology Flashcards
11 components of male repro system?
- penis
- bulbourethral glands
- ductus deferens
- bladder
- ureter
- seminal vesicle
- prostate gland
- urethra
- epididymis
- testis
- glans penis
what creates semen?
seminal vesicles and prostate
describe journey of sperm?
produced in testes, travels through vas deferens to reach urethra
describe journey of semen?
semen in produced by seminal vesicles and prostate glands and into urethra
structure of testis - name 3 parts?
epididymis
tunica albuginea
seminiferous tubules
what is tunica albuginea?
fibrous capsule surrounding testes and divides testes into lobules
where is sperm produced?
seminiferous tubules
name 3 parts of epididymis?
head
body
tail
2 functions of testes?
sperm production
testosterone production
what is the average time from production to ejaculation for sperm?
64 days
function of testosterone in males?
male 2y sexual characteristics
controls spermatogenesis
3 types of cells in seminiferous tubules?
germ
interstitial
sertoli
function of germ cells?
produce sperm
function of sertoli cells?
supports germ cells
produces inhibin
function of interstitial cells?
produce testosterone
function of pituitary hormones?
FSH and LH -
stimulates spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion
function of testosterone and inhibin?
inhibits secretion of GnRH and FSH+LH
+ve feedback in males?
Leydig cells in testes
-ve feedback in males?
testosterone and inhibin -
both act on anterior pituitary, testosterone acts on hypothalamus also
describe 2 stages of spermatogenesis?
1) spermacytogenesis
2) spermiogenesis
when does spermatogenesis begin?
@ puberty
2 factors affecting spermatogenesis?
medical
lifestyle
give 3 examples of pre-testicular medical reasons for male infertility?
excessive weight gain/loss
prolactinoma
Kallmann’s syndrome
give 3 examples of testicular medical reasons for male infertility?
STIs
Mumps orchitis
testicular torsion/ trauma
give 4 examples of lifestyle reasons for male infertility?
smoking
persistent pollutants (DDT, PCB)
occupational environment
obesity
management of infertility - improve lifestyle tips?
BMI control
smoking cessation
decrease alcohol intake
diet
exercise
management of infertility - other tips?
optimise underlying conditions
decrease STI risk (treat promptly if diagnosed)
fertility preservation - sperm freezing
