Downing: Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the major exocrine function of the testis?
production of spermatozoa
What are the major endocrine fxns of the testis?
production of androgens (testosterone) from the interstitial cells of leydig
What is the fxn of the scrotum?
thermoregulator
What is the tunica albuginea?
Dense fibrous capsule that divides the testis into LOBULES
What forms the mediastinum of the testis?
thickened portion of hte posterior aspect of the testis
What is the tunica vaginalis?
A serous sac that surrounds the anterior and lateral portions of the testis that is derived from the peritoneum.
What are hte two layers of hte tunica vaginalis?
viseral- adheres to the tunica albuginea
parietal- lines inner surface of scrotum
What is contained in the lobules of the testis?
seminiferous tubules
cells of leydig (secrete testosterone)
What do the seminiferous tubules connect with?
tubule recti
What are the two types of cells found in the seminiferous tubules?
supporting cells
germ cells
what is spermatogenesis?
spermatogonia (diploid)> spermatoza (haploid) (temp sensitive)
What are the three classes of spermatogonia?
- Dark type A= reserve stem cells
- Pale type A= renewing stem cells
- Type B= differentiating progenitors
What is the difference between primary and secondary spermatocytes?
Primary: largest germ cells, enter Meiosis I, 22 days in cycle
Secondary: 2N, short existence, rapidly enter Meiosis II (rarely seen on histological sections)
What are spermatids?
haploid progeny of mitotic divisions (nucleus condense and they migrate to lumen)
What is spermiogenesis?
maturation of spermatids to spermatoza
What are the 4 phases of spermiogenesis?
golgi
cap
acrosomal
maturation
What happens in the golgi phase?
onset of acrosome formation
axonenme assembly
What do sertoli cells look like?
extend from basement membrane to lumen
elongated nucleus
form a blood testis barrier and defines the basal vs adluminal compartments
Describe germ cell migration between sertoli cells.
B type spermatogonia traverse zonula occludens as they enter meiosis I>
cells nestle in pockets w/in a given sertoli>
progressive maturation occurs in adluminal compartment
What do FSH receptors in sertoli cells stimulate?
ABP> concentrates testosterone
Inhibitn> limits FSH production
What are the fxns of sertoli cells?
germ cell nutrition
transport of maturing germ cells to lumen
production/regulation of testicular fluid content
What lies between the seminiferous tubules?
interstitial tissue
What type of cells are located in the interstitial tissue?
Leydig cells> extensive sER> secretes testosterone
What are fertility and secondary sex characteristics dependent on?
androgens
Where does LH (ICSH) act?
receptors on Leydig cells>
stimulates androgen ouput>
feedback inhibits GnRH
Where does FSH act?
Receptors on Sertoli cells>
ABP>
promotes HIGH androgen levels in seminiferous tubule
What inhibits FSH production?
inhibin
Are leydig cells temperature sensitive?
NO
*cryptorchidism (undescended testes) has NO effect on androgen output
What do the tubuli recti do?
very short straight tubules that connect the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis