8-E Male Reproductive Histology

Question 1

Name 3 functions of the male reproductive tract

Answer 1

synthesize sperm, store sperm and deliver sperm to the female tract

Question 2

Describe the path of a sperm as it develops, is stored and later ejaculated.

Answer 2

testes, efferent ductules, epipdiymis, vas defrens, ejacultory duct, membranous urethra, penile urethra (assessors glands: prostate gland, seminal vesicles bulbourethral gland)

Question 3

Name the irregular connective tissue that surrounds the testis

Answer 3

tunica albuginea

Question 4

What is the mediastinum at the hilus?

Answer 4

the thickening of the capsule at the hilus

Question 5

Name the extensions of the capsule that divide the testes into lobules

Answer 5

septa

Question 6

What are found could among the septa?

Answer 6

seminiferous tubules

Question 7

Distinguish between the endocrine and exocrine functions of the male reproductive system

Answer 7

exocrine (spermatogenesis) endocrine (steroidogenesis)

Question 8

Seminiferous tubules are lined by ____ or ________ epithelium that produce sperm.

Answer 8

germinal or seminiferous epithelium

Question 9

Spermatogenic cells differentiate as the move form the _____ of the epithelium toward the ______ where they are shed

Answer 9

base to the apex

Question 10

Name the cells in the spermatogenic lineage.

Answer 10

spermatogonium, (move to adluminal compartment) primary spermatocyte (meiosis I complete) secondary spermatocyte, early spermatids (meiosis II is complete) and late spermatids, spermatozoa (in lumen)

Question 11

True or False: all four sperm derived from a primary spermatocyte are genetically identical?

Answer 11

they are genetically identical until undergoing cross over, so neither.

Question 12

Where is the first haploid version of the sperm?

Answer 12

as early spermatids

Question 13

What is the is meant by spermiogensis vs. spermatogenesis?

Answer 13

spermiogenesis is the latest portion of spermatogenesis (dramatic morphological changes occur that are required of mature sperm) where spermatogenesis is the entire maturation process of sperm

Question 14

Discuss the developmental steps of spermiogenesis.

Answer 14

the acrosome forms containing lysosomal-like enzymes, flagellum forms providing motility and excess organelles and cytoplasm are sloughed, chromatin condense making the nucleus more streamlined

Question 15

What is the function of sertoli cells?

Answer 15

nurse cells which deliver nutrients to the spermatogenic cells and phagocytose residual bodies; they respond to FSH by secreting ABP to increase testosterone in the epithelium; form the blood-testis barrier

Question 16

What two compartments are formed by the blood-testis barrier? What separates these two components?

Answer 16

basal and adluminal compartments are separated by tight junctions to keep immune cells away from the maturing germ cells

Question 17

What are myoid cells?

Answer 17

non muscle contractile cells that lie outside the basement membrane to move the developing gametes along (contract rhythmically to force the immotile sperm from the tubule)

Question 18

What is the function of interstitial Leydig cells

Answer 18

as the endocrine cells of the testes, they are stimulated by LH from the anterior pituitary gland and secrete testosterone that stimulates spermatogenesis and produce secondary sexual characteristics

Question 19

What is the role of inhibin in the hormone feedback loop of testosterone?

Answer 19

inhibin is produced by sertoli cells and inhibits the release of FSH

Question 20

How does the histology of the end of seminiferous tubules change?

Answer 20

transition with a section of only sertoli cells which transitions to columnar and then cuboidal cells suggesting the end of tissue that produce sperm

Question 21

Discuss the histology of the efferent ductules.

Answer 21

lined by serrated epithelium with both ciliated columnar cells and cuboidal cells (reabsorb much of the fluid secreted by sertoli cells and phagocytose residual bodies

Question 22

Describe the position and function of the epididymis.

Answer 22

single coiled tubule on the posterior of the testis which is lined by pseudo stratified columnar epithelium with sterocilia; serves as a site of sperm maturation (swimming lessons)

Question 23

Discuss features that are found within the spermatic cord. (muscle, tubule, vessels, connective tissue)

Answer 23

cremaster m. pampiniform plexus (cools blood before the testis) and spermatic fascia