BIOL 1260: male reproduction Flashcards
function of the testes
producing sperm and certain hormones
function of the ducts system
to transport and store sperm
4 ducts
epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra
3 accessory sex glands
seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral gland
function of accessory sex glands
to create secretions and connect to the ducts
supporting structures
scrotum and penis
scrotum anatomy
consists of loose skin and an underlying subcutaneous tissue; is separated into lateral portions by the raphe and the scrotal septum
function of the scrotum
to protect the testes
scrotal spetum
separates the testes as each sac holds one of the two testes
dartos muscle
found in the scrotal septum
cremaster muscle
small bands of skeletal muscle that are extensions of the internal obliques; is contained within the spermatic cord
spermatic cord
contains vessels, nerves, muscles, and the vas deferens and is an extension of the peritoneum
sperm production temperature
should be 2 degrees lower than body temperature, therefore testis are held outside of the body
scrotum and temperature regulation
when it is cold, the cremaster muscle and the dartos muscle contract, pulling the testes closer to the body and vise versa when it is warm
muscles of the testis
cremaster muscle and dartos muscle
embryonic development of the testis
develop near the kidneys and descend into the scrotum through the inguinal canals near the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy
outside layer of the testis
the tunica vaginalis
the tunica vaginalis
is a serous membrane derived from the peritoneum and has two layers (visceral and parietal layers)
tunica albuginea
is a white fibrous capsule that consists of dense irregular CT and projects inwards to divide the internal parts of the tests into lobules; is deep to the tunica vaginalis
what are deep to the tunica albuginea?
the seminiferous tubules
where is sperm produced?
the seminiferous tubules
two cells that make up the seminiferous tubules
the spermatogenic cells and sustentacular cells
another name for sustentacular cells
sertoli cells
spermatogenic cells deeper in the testis
are in more developed stages
stem cells for sperm
spermatogonia
where do spermatogonia come from?
the primordial germ cells from the yolk sac
order of development for spermatogenesis
PGCs, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatid and sperm cells
sustentacular cells location
fill in the spaces between the sperm cells and connect to one another via tight junctions; are found in the seminiferous tubules
blood-testis barrier
is created by the sustentacular cells and isolate sperm from the blood
why does sperm need to be isolated from the blood?
because the body recognizes sperm as foreign thus the immune system will attack
sustentacular cell functions (7)
establish the blood-testis barrier, nourish the spermatocytes, phagocyte excess spermatid cytoplasm during development, control the release of sperm into the tubules, produce a fluid for sperm transport, secrete inhibin, and regulate the effects of testosterone and FSH
interstitial cells other name
leydig cells
interstitial cells location
found in the spaces between adjacent seminiferous tubules and are often found in clusters
function of interstitial cells
produce testerone
function of testerone
is responsible for the male sex drive and male sex characteristics
where and what does spermatogenesis begin with?
in the yolk sac by the primordial germ cells that migrate to the testis
spermatogonia
male gametes and these are sperm stem cells and are diploid
seminal vesicles location
close to the ampulla of the vas deferens and sit on top of the prostate, at the base of the bladder, and anterior to the rectum
seminal vesicles secretions
fructose, prostaglandins, clotting proteins, and alkaline secretions
function of fructose from seminal vesicle secretion
is used for ATP production
function of prostaglandins from seminal vesicle secretions
contribute to sperm motility and smooth muscle in the female reproductive tract (to move the sperm up)
function of clotting proteins in seminal vesicle secretion
is not fully understood but they clot within 5 minutes of ejaculation and these are different than normal blood clotting proteins
function of alkaline secretions in semen
protects from the acidic urethra and female tract, and functions to neutralize these areas
how much of semen do seminal vesicles make up?
60%
prostate location
surrounds the prostatic urethra and is inferior to the bladder
prostate secretions
citric acid, proteolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase, and seminalplasmin
function of citric acid in prostate secretions
is an energy source for sperm ATP
proteolytic enzymes function in prostate secretions
includes pepsingone, lysozyme, amylase, hyaluronidase, and prostate specific antigen, and these all function to break down the clotting factors from the seminal vesicles but have a delayed effect