Ducts & Leydig Cells Flashcards
__% of married couples have fertility problems
10%
What are the interstitial cells of the testicular stroma?
Leydig cells
Leydig cells are located?
In CT between seminiferous tubulus
Cytoplasm of Leydig cells
Lightly eosinophilic large cytoplasm
Straight tubules also called?
Tubuli recti
Epithelium of straight tubules
Cuboidal epithelium (or simple squamous)
Straight tubule function
Connect seminiferous tubules to rete testis
Rete testis aka?
Network tubules
Rete testis are?
Anastomotic tubules located in mediastinum
Epithelium of rete testis
Similar to straight tubules (cuboidal or simple squamous)
Secretes fluids
Function of ductuli efferentes
Connect rete testes to epididymis
Ductuli efferentes epithelium
Ciliated simple columnar
Testosterone is important for?
Sex organ development, hair growth, etc.
What controls testosterone release?
LH
LH is also known as?
ICSH (hypothalamic interstitial cell stimulating hormone)
Function of rete testis and ductuli eferentes
Move non-motile sperm to epididymis
Rete testis and ductuli eferentes are lined by?
Single layer of cuboidal epithelium cells with microvilli and:
Single cilium at rete testes
Cilia at ductuli efferentes
2 genital ducts
- Ductus epididymis
2. Ductus deferens
What is ductus epididymis?
Coiled tube which stores sperm while it matures
Parts of ductus epididymis
- Head
- Body
- Tail
Epithelium of ductus epididymis
Pseudostratified columnar with stereocilia, lined with single smooth m. layer
Ductus epididymis connects to?
Ductus deferens
How long does it take sperm to get through epididymis?
10-15 days
As sperm moves through epididymis, how does it mature?
- Becomes motile
2. Gains partial ability to fertilizae
Epithelium of ductus deferens
Pseudostratified columnar and gradually loses sterocilia
Lumen of ductus deferens contains?
Sperm in mature male animal
Ductus deferens tunica muscularis
Very thick: 3 layers of smooth m.
Peristaltic contraction of ductus deferens is contolled by?
Sympathetic NS during ejaculation
