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Reproduction > Basic Physiology of the Reproductive System > Flashcards

Basic Physiology of the Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the male reproductive system responsible for?

A

Production (by testes) and transport of sperm

Production of androgens to support secondary sexual characteristics

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2
Q

What is the transport channel for sperm?

A

Ductus/vas deferens

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3
Q

What is the function of semen?

A

Provides nutrients/transportation fluid

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4
Q

Where does semen come from?

A

60% seminal glands
30% prostate
5% bulbourethral glands

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5
Q

What structures are the testes made up from?

A

Lobules containing seminiferous tubules

V. convoluted

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6
Q

Where is the site of spermatogenesis?

A

Seminiferous tubules

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7
Q

The seminiferous tubules merge to form which structure?

A

Epididymis

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8
Q

What does a cross section of a ST look like?

A

Spermatogonium right at basement membrane and divide and move forward until they are mature sperm in the lumen

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9
Q

Why is it important that blood doesn’t come into contact with STs?

A

Sperm haploid and looks different so don’t want immune cells interpreting as non-self and destroying them

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10
Q

How many sperm would you get from each spermatogonium?

A

512

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11
Q

How much sperm does the epididymis store?

A

5ml

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12
Q

What are some functions of Sertoli cells?

A

Form blood-testis barrier
Isolate haploid secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa from the immune system
Physically move sperm towards the lumen (spermiation)
Provide nutrients for sperm
Remove waste from sperm
Remove excess cytoplasm following cell divisions

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13
Q

Define spermatogenesis
How long does it take?
Where does it occur?

A

Process of forming mature sperm
75 days
STs

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14
Q

Define spermatocytogenesis

A

Mitotic divisions of spermatogonia (undifferentiated male germ cells) to produce primary spermatocytes

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15
Q

What occurs after spermatocytogenesis?

A

Two meiotic divisions
Meiosis I - primary spermatocytes double up DNA and there is separation of homologous chromosomes that go to make secondary spermatocytes
Meiosis II - secondary spermatocytes half again (separation of chromatids) to make spermatids

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16
Q

Define spermiogenesis?

A

Maturation of spermatids into mature, motile sperm

Occurs in epididymis

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17
Q

How long is the sperm stored in the epididymis until it becomes motile?

A

15 days

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18
Q

Where is the final maturation of the sperm?

A

In the female genital tract that allows it to penetrate the egg and have increased motility

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19
Q

What is the blood supply to the testis like?

A

Arterial blood enters dense network of capillaries coming from testis/epididymis before reaching spermatic cord - this cools it and helps to maintain a constant testicular temperature

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20
Q

At what temperature do sperm optimally develop?

A

32 degrees

21
Q

What two things contribute to keeping the testis slightly cooler than the body in order to maintain optimal spermatogenesis?

A

Testis outside body

Counter-current heat exchange

22
Q

What factors can affect spermatogenesis?

A

Testis temperature, should be 2 degrees below body temp, hyperthermia, mumps, measles etc. can raise it

Endocrine: reduces gonadotrophins/androgens, anabolic steroids –> reduced testosterone

Loss of blood-testis barrier: e.g. by physical damage

Immunological reactions - autoimmune disease

Environment - occupation (e.g. car industry, pesticide exposure), radiation (reduces sperm)

Medication - some antidepressants and anti-HTN

23
Q

What two things are associated with a lower sperm count?

A

Smoking

Alcohol

24
Q

Where does LH act on?

A

Leydig cells to produce testosterone

25
Q

Where does testosterone act on?

A

CNS - aggressive behaviour
Ant pituitary
Penis (erective, copulatory, ejaculatory effectiveness)
Striated muscle
Prostate & seminal vescicles
Testis
Systemically deepens voice, leads to male body hair, increased sebaceous gland activity and protein anabolism

26
Q

What is the structure of the ovaries?

A

Outer cortex containing follicles

Inner medulla containing BVs

27
Q

How many primordial follicles are there in the ovaries at birth?

A

2 million

28
Q

What kind of cells line the primary, secondary and tertiary follicles?
What do these cells produce?

A

Granulosa cells

Oestrogen

29
Q

Where does fertilisation most commonly occur?

A

Ampulla of fallopian tube one day after ovulation

30
Q

Define oogenesis

A

Production of an ovum

31
Q

Describe the process of oogenesis

A

Mitotic division of oogonium –> primary oocytes
Girls born with primordial follicles containing primary oocytes and surrounding later of follicular cells
Primordial follicles turn into primary follicles after puberty (follicular cells –> granulosa cells)
A few primary follicles in each menstrual cycle develop into secondary follicles and then tertiary follicles (Graafian follicles)
FSH makes a few Graafian follicles grow and produce more oestrogen
Neg feedback of oestrogen leads to less FSH –> only one follicle becomes dominant
Oestrogen leads to positive feedback eventually –> LH surge which triggers the primary oocyte to complete meiosis I (become secondary oocyte) & released into fallopian tube

32
Q

From infancy to puberty, which stage of meiosis I are primary oocytes stuck in?

A

Prophase

33
Q

After the primary oocyte is released, what does the follicle turn into?

A

Corpus luteum

34
Q

What does the CL produce?

A

Inhibin which prevents pituitary making FSH and oestrogen falls so LH drops

35
Q

Which cells make progesterone?

A

Lutenised theca cells of CL

36
Q

Until when does the CL make progesterone?

A

Until placenta has developed

37
Q

If the egg isn’t fertilised what happens to the CL?

A

Stops making hormones after about 10 days

Becomes fibrotic and white (corpus albicans)

38
Q

Low oestrogen exerts what kind of feedback?

A

Negative

39
Q

High oestrogen exerts what kind of feedback?

A

Positive –> LH surge at about day 12

40
Q

What does GnRH do?

A

Released from hypothalamus acts on anterior pituitary to stimulate release of LH and FSH

41
Q

What does LH do?

A

Maintains dominant follicle, induces maturation and ovulation, stimulate CL function

42
Q

What does FSH do?

A

Stimulates follicle recruitment and development

43
Q

What does oestradiol do?

A

Supports female secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive organs
Negative & positive feedback control
Stimulates proliferation of endometrium

44
Q

What does progesterone do?

A

Maintains secretory epithelium

45
Q

What is the average age of menopause?

A

51

46
Q

Where does oestrogen act in the body?

A 
CNS
Ant. pituitary 
Hypothalamus
Fat distribution 
Mammary glands
Bone maturation and turn over
Uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes
47
Q

What does oestrogen do in the fallopian tubes?

A

Induces proliferation of ciliated cells that brush the egg into the uterus

48
Q

What is a reliable sign of ovulation?

A

Day 21 progesterone

49
Q

What values of FSH/LH/oestradiol/progesterone do you get in menopause?

A

High FSH and LH

Low oestradiol and progesterone

Reproduction (28 decks)

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