Basic Physiology of the Male Repro System

Question 1

Site of spermatogenesis

Answer 1

Testis (SF Tubules)

Question 2

Function of epididymis

Answer 2

Storage and transport area

Question 3

Function of semen

Answer 3

transports and provides nutrients to sperm

Question 4

Where are Sertoli cells found?

Answer 4

Inside the seminiferous tubules

Question 5

Function of Sertoli Cells

Answer 5

Help sperm development

Question 6

Movement of the sperm inside the seminiferous tubules

Answer 6

Originally start at the basement membrane and they move towards the inside during spermatogenesis

Question 7

For every spermatogonium, how many sperm will you get?

Answer 7

Approx. 512

Question 8

How much sperm can the testis store?

Answer 8

5m

Question 9

Functions of the Sertoli Cells

Answer 9

Form the blood-testis barrier (blood-seminiferous tubule barrier)

Isolate haploid secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa from the immune system

physical movement of the sperm towards the lumen

provide nutrients to sperm

removal of wastes from developing sperm

removal of excess cytoplasms following cell divisions

support for spermination

Question 10

Stages of spermatogenesis

Answer 10

1. Spermatogonia (germ cells)
Mitotic Division (46)
2. Daughter cell/Primary spermatocyte 
First Meiotic division (23)
3. Secondary spermatocyte 
secondary meiotic division (23)
4. spermatids (spermatids then become sperm cells)
5. sperm cells

Question 11

How long does sperm take to produce?

Answer 11

75 days

Question 12

Spermatocytogenesis

Answer 12

Spermatogonia (46) to primary spermatocyte (46)

Question 13

Spermiogenesis

Answer 13

Spermatids to sperm

Question 14

How long is the sperm stored for in the epididymis?

Answer 14

15 days

Question 15

Meiosis occurs in the

Answer 15

Seminiferous tubules

Question 16

When do the sperm turn from diploid to haploid?

Answer 16

When the primary spermatocytes change into the secondary spermatocytes

Question 17

Sperm temperature

Answer 17

Approx. 32 degrees

Question 18

How is the arterial blood cooled?

Answer 18

By the venous blood.

Dense network of capillaries (pampiniform plexus)

Question 19

Plexus of capillaries in the testes

Answer 19

Pampiniform Plexus

Question 20

Factors affecting spermatogenesis

Answer 20

Testis temperature (mumps, viral, hyperthermia)

Endocrine (anabolic steroids, decrease in gonadotrophins and androgens)

Loss of the blood testis barrier (physical barrier)

immunological reactions - RARE

environment (occupation, radiation, smoking, alcohol)

medication (chemo, antidepressants, anti-HTs)

Question 21

Targets for androgens (e.g. testosterone)

Answer 21

CNS (aggressive behaviour)

Hypothalamus + AP (increase SLH or LH)

testis (spermatogenesis)

prostate and seminal vesicles

striated muscle

penis (erective, copulatory and ejaculatory effect)

Question 22

Systemic effects of testosterone

Answer 22

Deepening voice
Male body hair
increased sebaceous gland activity
protein anabolism (bigger muscle mass)