Chapter 20 - Male Reproductive System

Question 1

Which one of the following functions is attributed to the Sertoli cells?
(A) Secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone
(B) Secretion of testosterone
(C) Secretion of androgen-binding protein
(D) Secretion of LH
(E) Secretion ofABP

Answer 1

C. Sertoli cells have many functions, including the synthesis of ABP. Testosterone is secreted by the interstitial cells of Leydig, whereas FSH and LH (also known as interstitial cell-stimulating hormone) are secreted by the pituitary gland (see Chapter 20 II D 2).

Question 2

Which of the following statements concerning the cells of Leydig is true?
(A) They become functional at puberty.
(B) They are within the seminiferous tubules.
(C) They are stimulated by FSH.
(D) They secrete much of the fluid portion of
semen.
(E) They respond to inhibin.

Answer 2

A. Interstitial cells of Leydig become functional at puberty as a result of the action of LH produced in the pituitary gland (see Chapter 20 II C).

Question 3

Type A spermatogonia are germ cells that
(A) develop from secondary spermatocytes.
(B) undergo meiotic activity subsequent to
sexual maturity.
(C) develop through meiotic divisions.
(D) give rise to primary spermatocytes.
(E) may be dark or pale.

Answer 3

E. Type A spermatogonia, which may be pale or dark, are primitive germ cells. Pale type A spermatogonia become mitotically active at puberty and give rise to type B spermatogonia, which undergo mitoses, giving rise to primary spermatocytes (see Chapter 20 II D 4).

Question 4

Which of the following statements is related to the ductus epididymis?
(A) It begins at the rete testis.
(B) It is lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium.
(C) It secretes a large volume of fluid into its lumen.
(D) It possesses motile cilia.
(E) It capacitates spermatozoa.

Answer 4

B. The ductus epididymidis begins at the termination of the ductuli efferentes and is lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium, which has principal cells that possess nonmotile stereocilia. These cells are involved in fluid resorption and secrete glycerophosphocholine, which inhibits capacitation (see Chapter 20 III B 2).

Question 5

Testosterone is produced by
(A) interstitial cells of Leydig.
(B) Sertoli cells.
(C) spermatogonia.
(D) spermatids.
(E) spermatocytes.

Answer 5

A. The hormone testosterone is produced by the interstitial cells of Leydig (see Chapter 20 II C).

Question 6

Spermatozoa are conveyed from the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis via the
(A) ductus epididymis.
(B) tubuli recti.
(C) ductuli efferentes.
(D) ductus deferens.
(E) ejaculatory duct.

Answer 6

B. The seminiferous tubules are connected to the rete testis by the tubuli recti (see
Chapter 20 II D).

Question 7

Manchette formation occurs during which of the following phases of spermiogenesis?
(A) Meiotic phase
(B) Maturation phase
(C) Golgi phase
(D) Cap phase
(E) Acrosomal phase

Answer 7

E. Spermiogenesis is the process of cytodifferentiation by which spermatids are transformed into spermatozoa. It does not involve cell division. Manchette formation occurs during the aerosomal phase of spermiogenesis (see Chapter 20 II D 5).

Question 8

The structural feature that best distinguishes the ductus deferens from the other genital ducts is its
(A) smooth-bore lumen.
(B) thick wall containing three muscle layers.
(C) lining of transitional epithelium.
(D) flattened mucosa.
(E) nonmotile stereocilia.

Answer 8

B. The ductus (vas) deferens possesses three layers of smooth muscle in its wall, whereas the other genital ducts do not. Like the ductus epididymidis, the ductus deferens is lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium with principal cells that possess nonmotile stereocilia (see Chapter 20 III B 3).

Question 9

Inhibin, a hormone that inhibits synthesis and release of FSH, is secreted by
(A) prostate gland.
(B) Sertoli cells.
(C) seminal vesicles.
(D) bulbourethral glands.
(E) interstitial cells of Leydig.

Answer 9

B. Inhibin is secreted by Sertoli cells (see Chapter 20 II D 2).

Question 10

A 55-year-old man has urinary complications. He complains of difficulty urinating and reduced urinary flow. He also has an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, along with palpable hard nodules on the prostate. The possible diagnosis is
(A) benign prostatic hyperplasia.
(B) adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
(C) prostatic concretions.
(D) initiation of impotence.
(E) incontinence.

Answer 10

B. Although some of the symptoms are characteristic of benign prostatic hypertrophy, rectal palpation indicating hard nodules, along with an elevated PSA level, indicates probable prostatic adenocarcinoma (see Chapter 20 IV B Clinical Considerations).

Question 11

A 33-year-old man detected a swelling in his scrotum. Careful palpation did not reveal whether the swelling was associated with his testis. His physician ordered blood tests, and it was determined that he had increased levels of hCG in his blood. A probable diagnosis is
(A) benign lump.
(B) hematocele.
(C) cryptorchidism.
(D) testicular cancer.
(E) hydrocele.

Answer 11

D. Palpable swellings in the scrotum, especially in men younger than 40 years of age, should be seen by a physician. Elevated blood serum levels of hCG and a-fetoprotein are usually associated with testicular cancer (see Chapter 20 II D Clinical Considerations).