35. Male Reproductive Histology Flashcards

1
Q

The testes are posteriorly associated with the epididymis and both are suspended by the ______

The testes are enclosed by the _________, which thickens to form the mediastinum, where the _______ is located

A

Spermatic cord

Tunica albuginea; rete testis

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2
Q

Septa form 250-300 _____ within the testes, each with 1-4 _______ ______

A

Lobules; seminiferous tubules

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3
Q

Seminiferous tubules consist of a central lumen lined by a specialized seminiferous epithelium, composed of _______ and _______ cells

A

Somatic sertoli; spermatogenic

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4
Q

The ____ _____ is a network of spaces contained within the CT of the mediastinum

A

Rete testes

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5
Q

Epithelium of the seminiferous tubules is surrounded by a _____ _____ consisting of multilayered CT, collagen, and 3-5 layers of myoid cells

A

Lamina propria

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6
Q

________ cells are found in between the seminiferous tubules

A

Leydig (interstitial)

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7
Q

The wall of seminiferous tubules consists of peritubular _____ cells separated from the seminiferous epithelium by a basement membrane

A

Myoid

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8
Q

Seminiferous epithelium is _________ epithelium with unusual characteristics. It is made up of _____ ______ sertoli cells which interact with ______, ______, and _____

A

Stratified; somatic columnar; spermatogonia; spermatocytes; spermatids

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9
Q

Of the cells that somatic columnar sertoli cells interact with:

____ are mitotic

_____ are meiotic

_______ are haploid, and undergoing spermatogenesis

A

Spermatogonia

Spermatocytes

Spermatids

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10
Q

The seminiferous epithelium houses different structural types of nuclei:

Nuclei of ______ and _______ are closely associated with tubular wall

Nuclei of _________ cells are larger and contain clumps of chromatin

Nuclei of _______ are round and light

Nuclei of ________ are cylindrical, and condensed

A

Spermatogonia; sertoli cells

Spermatogonial cells (primary spermatocytes)

Early spermatids

Late spermatids

[note that early and late spermatids’ nucli lie close to the lumen]

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11
Q

_____ cells extend the full thickness of the seminiferous epithelium, and the nucleus is basally located with a large nucleolus

A

Sertoli

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12
Q

Sertoli cells’ apical and lateral membranes have an irregular outline - why?

A

To provide niches and crypts to hous developing spermatogenic cells

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13
Q

Functions of sertoli cells:

  • support, protect, and nourish developing spermatogenic cells
  • eliminate _________ via phagocytosis (discarded by spermatids during _______)
  • release of mature spermatids into lumen of tubule in process called ________
A

Residual bodies; spermiogenesis

Spermiation

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14
Q

On micrographs, sertoli cells have _____ or ______ nuclei and distinct ______

A

Oval; pyramidal; nucleoli

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15
Q

At basolateral domain, sertoli cells have tight junctions creating ______ and _______ compartments (this is special to the testes as usually it is an apical specialization)

A

Basal; adluminal

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16
Q

In the basal compartment of seminiferous epithelium, spermatogonial cells are housed in ______, which allows greater access to nutrients and signaling molecules

In the adluminal compartment, tight junctions establish the _________ which protects developing spermatocytes and spermatids from autoimmune reactions as well as selects nutrients needed for spermatogenic cells

A

Niches

Blood-testes barrier

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17
Q

Spermatocytes are located above the blood-testis barrier, most of which are ______ spermatocytes

A

Primary

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18
Q

Leydig cells are present in the ______ space, close to blood vessels

They are _____-producing cells that contain lipid droplets, mitochondria with tubular cristae, and a well developed sER

They also produce 95% of the body’s ______

A

Intertubular

Steroid

Testosterone

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19
Q

Leydig cell function is regulated by the 2 hormones of the AP, _____ which stimulates testosterone production, and ______ which induces the expression of the LH receptor

A

LH; Prolactin

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20
Q

______ regulates the synthesis of steroids in Leydig cells by transporting cholesterol across the outer mitochondrial membrane. A mutation in the gene encoding this protein is detected in individuals with a defective synthesis of adrenal and gonadal steroids

A

StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein)

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21
Q

In the sequence of spermatogenesis:

A spermatogonial cell arises from a _______ ___ cell which will initiate a spermatogenic cell sequence or will retain stem cell capacities via mitosis (this ensures continuous sperm production)

After division, spermatogenic cells remain interconnected by intercellular bridges and cytokinesis is incomplete

A

Primordial germ

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22
Q

T/F: each cohort of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids complete their growth and differentiation in a timely manner, proliferating and differentiating synchronously

A

True

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23
Q

Diploid spermatogenic cells reside in a ___ of basal compartment of sertoli cells, located ______ the blood testis barrier

A

Niche; outside

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24
Q

What is the difference between type A and type B spermatogonia?

A

Type A: Oval, euchromatic nucleus and nucleolus attahed to nuclear envelope (subclasses dark and pale); type A clonally divide (mitosis), generating copies of itself or differentiating into type B

Type B: round nucleus, masses of heterochromatin attached to nuclear envelope and central nucleolus; divide (mitosis) and cells immediately enter meiotic prophase as primary spermatocytes (ensures 2x DNA when starting meiosis prophase I)

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25
Q

________ divide by 2 meiotic divisions. They are located in adluminal compartment above sertoli cell tight junctions. Meiosis occurs _____ the blood testes barrier

A

Spermatocytes; inside

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26
Q

__________ _______ undergo 1st meiotic division (reductional division) to produce 2 _____ _______, which undergo the 2nd meiotic division (equational division) to produce 2 __________, which mature without further division

A

Primary spermatocytes; secondary spermatocytes; spermatids

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27
Q

Describe DNA content at the end of meiosis I of spermatocytes

A

DNA content of primary spermatocyte (4N) is reduced in a secondary spermatocyte (2N)

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28
Q

Describe DNA content at the end of meiosis II of spermatocytes

A

DNA content of secondary spermatocyte (2C) is reduced in a spermatid (1C); spermatids are haploid and initiate spermiogenesis

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29
Q

Compare duration of 1st and 2nd meiotic division of spermatocytes

A

1st meiotic division is long (days) but 2nd is very short (minutes)

[Primary spermatocytes are most abundant cells observed in seminiferous epithelium]

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30
Q

Haploid spermatids are located in the adluminal compartment, in proximity to lumen of seminiferous tubules

______ (early) spermatids, are housed in niches in the cytoplasm of sertoli cells

_______ (late) spermatids, housed in crypts, deep invaginations in sertoli apical cytoplasm

A

Round

Elongated

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31
Q

Spermatids are engaged in _______, a differentiated cell process (the last step of spermatogenesis)

A

Spermiogenesis

32
Q

What takes place during spermiogenesis?

A

Development of the acrosome

Development of the manchette

Development of the tail

Shaping and condensation of the nucleus

33
Q

Mature spermatids are released into the seminiferous tubular lumen via _______, which involves contractile forces generated by sertoli cells

A

Spermiation

34
Q

Spermiation consists of the release of mature spermatids over a period of several days, from the apical edge of ______ cells to the lumen of _______

A

Sertoli; seminiferous tubule

35
Q

During spermiation, intercellular bridges that linked spermatids form _____ ____, which are lost during maturation and mature spermatids are separated

A

Residual bodies

36
Q

During spermiation, spermatids become non-motile sperm upon release into the lumen of seminiferous tubules. They are propelled to the epididymal duct, where they undergo a maturation process, resulting in forward _____ for fertilization capability

A

Motility

37
Q

Mature sperm consist of the head and tail, surrounded by a plasma membrane.

The head contains a flattened, condensed, and elongated nucleus. It is partially capped by the _______ which covers the anterior 1/2 of the nucleus and contains ______ enzymes

The tail is subdivided into 3 segments: ______, _____ and _____

A

Acrosome; hydrolytic

Middle piece, principal piece, and end piece

38
Q

The middle piece of the sperm tail consists of:

A helically arranged ______ sheath

An axoneme

9 longitudinal columns, _______ fibers, surrounding the axoneme, and projecting down the tail

A

Mitochondrial; outer dense

39
Q

The principal piece of the sperm tail is the longest segment; it consists of the central ______ surrounded by a ______ sheath which provides scaffold during sliding/bending of the tail during forward motility

A

Axoneme; fibrous

40
Q

The _____ piece of the sperm tail consists of a very short segment that only contains axoneme

A

End

41
Q

Trace the sperm maturation pathway

A

Straight tubules (tubulus recti) —> rete testis —> efferent ductules —> epididymal duct

42
Q

Columnar sertoli cells only mark the transition from the seminiferous epithelium to the _____ _____.

Basal tight junctions between columnar sertoli cells change into apical tight junctions between the _____ sertoi cells at the tubulus rectus and rete testis. The apical domain of the cuboidal sertoli cells displays ______ and an occasional primary cilium.

A

Tubulus rectus (straight tubules)

Cuboidal; microvilli

43
Q

Along the sperm maturation pathway, the straight tubules are located in the mediastinum of the testis. They are lined with ____ ____ epithelium. The sertoli cells have tight junctions at the apical domain and no spermatogenic cells are present

A

Simple cuboidal

44
Q

Irregularly anastomosing channels within the mediastinum of the testes

A

Rete testis

45
Q

Rete testis epithelium

A

Simple cuboidal

46
Q

T/F: The wall of straight tubule has tall sertoli cells which becomes simple cuboidal epithelium in the rete testis

A

True

47
Q

About 12-20 _________ link the rete testis to the epididymis

A

Efferent ductules

48
Q

Each efferent ductule is lined with what types of cells? What are their functions?

A

Columnar cells with microvilli/sterocilia: reabsorbs fluid from lumen

Ciliated cells: assist in transport of nonmotile sperm

Basal cells: precursor of ciliated and nonciliated cells

49
Q

A thin inner circular layer of sm muscle underlies the epithelium and ____ of efferent ductules

A

Basal lamina

50
Q

________ epithelium has hallmark scalloped outline that enables ID of efferent ductules

A

Pseudostratified

51
Q

The _____ is a highly elongated and coiled duct where sperm mature

A

Epididymis

52
Q

The epididymis is made up of head (caput), body (corpus), and tail (cauda).

It is lined with _____ ____ epithelium with long and branched ______

A

Pseudostratified; stereocilia

53
Q

What cell types make up the epididymis?

A

Principal cells: columnar (extend from lumen to BL, apical domain displays branched stereocilia, well developed golgi, lysosomes, and vesicles)

Basal cells (undifferentiated precursors of principal cells)

54
Q

Sperm maturation consists in acquiring forward motility — mature sperm are stored in the terminal portion of the epididymal. The epididymal duct is surrounded by a thin layer of smooth muscle, which facilitates the ____ of sperm

A

Peristalsis

55
Q

The epididymis is covered by a _____ and the ______

A

Capsule; tunica vaginalis

56
Q

Sperm are transported from head region of epididymis to tail by peristalsis (stored in tail until ejaculation)

Fertilizing ability is acquired from the ____to ____ of epididymis, and time of maturation is ___-___ days

A

Body; tail; 2-12

57
Q

Sperm maturation includes:

Stabilization of condensed ______

Changes in plasma membrane surface ____

Acquisition by sperm of new surface _____

Acquisition of sperm forward _____

A

Chromatin

Charge

Proteins

Motility

58
Q

The vas deferens is a 45 cm long muscular tube lined with ________ epithelium with _____, supported by a CT lamina propria w/ elastic fibers

The muscular wall is made up of inner and outer longitudinal layers as well as a middle circular layer

A

Pseudostratified colunar w/ stereocilia/stereovilli

59
Q

The external layer of the vas deferens consists of loose CT and _________

The ______ is the dilated portion that leads directly into the prostate gland; the distal end of which receives the ducts of the seminal vesicle, forming the ________

A

Adipocytes

Ampulla; ejaculatory ducts

60
Q

The wall of the veins of the _______ has a thick 3-layer muscularis and can be mistaken for arteries on histological slides of the spermatic cord

A

Pampiniform plexus

61
Q

The fascicles of the striated ____ muscle can be seen at the periphery of the spermatic cord on histological slides

A

Cremaster

62
Q

Accessory genital glands in males

A
Seminal vesicles (2)
Prostate gland (1)
Bulbourethral glands (2)
Urethral glands of Littre
63
Q

What accessory genital glands produce the majority of seminal fluid

A

Seminal vesicles and prostate gland

64
Q

The function of seminal vesicles and prostate gland is regulated by androgens (____ and____)

A

Testosterone; DHT

65
Q

Seminal vesicles are _____-dependent organs that are outpocketings of each vas deferens (ampulla), consisting of an external CT ______, middle smooth muscle layer (inner circular and outer longitudinal), and highly folded mucosa lined by ______-to-______ ____ epithelium

A

Androgen; capsule; simple cuboidal-to-pseudostratified columnar

66
Q

T/F: seminal vesicles store some sperm

A

False; their function is to secrete an alkaline viscous fluid rich in fructose (energy source) and prostaglandins

67
Q

The prostate gland is a muscular and glandular organ. The glands empty into the prostate urethra via long excretory ducts. The prostatic urethra is end site of _______ and ______ ducts

A

Prostatic; ejaculatory

68
Q

The prostate gland is arranged into what 3 zones? What glands are found in each?

A

Central zone; periurethral mucosal glands

Transition zone; periurethral submucosal glands

Peripheral zone; branched (compound) glands

69
Q

70-80% of prostate cancer originates in _______ zone

A

Peripheral

70
Q

The prostate is surrounded by a capsule consisting of 30-50 branched ______ glands

A

Tubuloalveolar

71
Q

The branched tubuloalveolar glands of the prostate are lined by _____or _________ epithelium; the lumen contains _________ — concretions rich in glyoproteins and Ca deposits

A

Simple or pseudostratified; corpora amylacea

72
Q

The penis consists of a right and left ________ as well as a ventral _______ which contains the penile urethra

A

Corpora cavernosa; corpus spongiosum

73
Q

The columns that make up the penis converge to form the shaft; the ____ ___ is the distal tip of the corpus spongiosum

A

Glans penis

74
Q

The structures in the penis are surrounded by an elastic CT fascia, and each erectile tissue cylinder is surrounded by dense CT capsule called the ____

A

Tunica albuginea

75
Q

Erectile tissues are comprised of large, irregular vascular sinuses with _________ stroma

Vascular sinuses are supplied by numerous _____ arteries

A

Fibrocollagenous

Helicine