9: Male Reproductive Histo Flashcards
Two main testes function
Spermatogenesis, secretion of testosterone
Tunica albuginea histo
Dense CT capsule
Tunica vaginalis two layers
Parietal layer: lines scrotum
Visceral layer: lines tunica albuginea
Mediastinum testes
Posterior network of fibrous Ct from top to bottom of each testis
Septa of testes
Creates 25-300 lobules where seminiferous tubules are housed
Lobules in testes
Contain 1-4 convoluted seminiferous tubules lined with seminiferous ep
Seven functions of Sertoli cells
- Organize tubules
- Contain crypts to support germ cells
- Exchange/transport of metabolites and nutritive factors to nourish sperm
- Secrete aqueous fluid into lumen to transport sperm thru tubules
- Endocrine secretions
- Phagocytose residual bodies and bad sperm cells
- Blood-testes barrier
Three major endocrine secretions of Sertoli cells
AMH, estradiol 17B, FSH
Sertoli-sertoli junctional complex
Creates 5-+ parallel lines of fusion along basolateral membranes, dividing ep into basal and luminal compartments
What type of sperm cells are in basal and luminal compartments
Basal: spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes
Luminal: primary spermatocytes, secondary, spermatids
Head of sperm
Flattened nucleus, partially capped by acrosome
Tail of sperm
Middle piece with mito + principle piece (longest) + end piece
Sperm transport from testes
straight tubules -> rete testes -> efferent ductules -> epididymis -> ductus deferens -> ejaculatory duct -> urethra
Where do sperm mostly mature?
Epididymis
Where do sperm acquire forward motility?
Epididymis
Epididymis ep
Pseudostratified columnar with long stereocilia
Two cell types in epididymis ep
Principle cells (columnar, with stereocilia) + stem cells
Smooth muscle of epididymis
Thin circular layers
Tail region of epididymis smooth muscle
Has additional inner and outer longitudinal layers
Ampulla of ductus deferens
Dilated portion that leads directly into prostate gland, storage site for sperm
Distal end of ductus deferens
Receives ducts of seminal vesicle, forming ejaculatory ducts
Epithelium of ductus deferens
Pseudostratified columnar ep with space stereocilia
Smooth muscle of ductus deferens
Inner and outer longitudinal layers + middle circular layer
External layer of ductus deferens
Loose CT and adipocytes
All accessory glands are regulated by what?
Androgens (T and DHT)
Seminal vesicles secretion
Alkaline secretion rich in fructose and prostaglandins
Excretory duct of seminal vesicles
Penetrates prostate after joining ductus deferens -> ejaculatory ducts
Seminal vesicles ep
Highly folded mucosa lined by pseudostratified columnar ep
Smooth muscle of seminal vesicles
Inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle
Prostate gland
Collection of 30-50 tubuloacinar glands
Corpora amylacea
Concretions in prostate gland lumen rich in glycoproteins and Ca deposits
Fluid from prostate gland
Alkaline, rich in Zn, neutralizes acidic vaginal environment -> provides nutrients and transport to sperm
Prostate gland epithelium
Simple columnar or pseudostratified ep
BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia
Parenchyma cells undergo hyperplasia -> modular masses of epithelial cells -> compresses prostatic urethra
Bulbourethral gland
Pea-sized structures in urogenital diaphragm made of compound tubuloalveolar glands
Bulbourethral gland ep
Simple columnar
Bulbourethral gland secretions
Pre-seminal fluid -> lubricates penile urethra, neutralizes traces of acidic urine
Erectile tissue of the penis histo
Irregular interconnected vascular sinuses with fibrocollagenous stroma
