Final - Male Reproductive

Question 1

Describe the flow of sperm through the male reproductive tract.

Answer 1

testis -> epididymis (ductulus efferens -> ductus epididymis) -> vas deferens -> seminal vesicle -> ejaculatory duct -> prostate -> urethra (through penis)

Question 2

Endocrine function of the testes.

Answer 2

steroidogenesis: synthesize androgens (testosterone by Leydig cells)

Question 3

Exocrine function of the testes.

Answer 3

spermatogenesis: make sperm (mitosis/meiosis)

Question 4

Describe overall histo of the testes.

Answer 4

• tubule epithelium with germinal cells
• stroma: dense fibrous CT with septa that form lobules
• Sem. tubules: small lumens with more per space and no apical mods
• tunica albuginea: dense CT capsule
• tunica vasculosa: loose CT with blood vessels

Question 5

Histological features of the seminiferous tubules.

Answer 5

1. complex stratified epithelium (spermatogenic and sertoli cells)
2. tunica propria: multilayered CT lacking fibroblasts (myoid cells)

Question 6

Function of spermatogenic cells.

Answer 6

replicate, mature into cells

Question 7

Functions of Sertoli cells.

Answer 7

1. endocrine fx: FSH & testosterone secreting
2. exocrine fx: secretes a protein that binds to androgen, to keep in sperm-making areas

Question 8

Functions of myoid cells in the seminiferous tubules.

Answer 8

contract to push sperm through tubules

Question 9

Describe the difference in tubules between mouse and human.

Answer 9

• human: one-stage of development in cross-section
• mouse: multiple in one cross-section

Question 10

Describe the 3 phases of spermatogenesis.

Answer 10

1. spermatagonia: stem cells undergo mitosis, yield committed spermatogonia
2. spermatocyte: primary spermatocytes under meiosis, become spermatids
3. spermatid: spermatids differentiate into sperm cells through extensive cell remodeling

Question 11

Describe spermiogenesis (4 stages).

Answer 11

haploid spermatids -> mobile spermatozoa
1. Golgi phase: acrosomal vesicle forms, centrioles migrate
2. Cap phase: acrosomal cap forms over the nucleus and contents condense
3. Acrosome phase: manchette of microtubules forms, mitochondrial sheath forms
4. maturation phase: Sertoli cells phagocytize residual bodies

Question 12

What is a sperm made up of?

Answer 12

acrosome + nucleus
mitochondrial sheath
tail of microtubules

Question 13

Describe histo of the tubulus rectus and rete testes

Answer 13

squamous and cuboidal cells - as they move through (towards rete testis)
cells get taller - can have microvilli/cilia

Question 14

What is the function of the epididymis?

Answer 14

1. sperm storage
2. maturation (motility and ability to fertilize an ovum)

Question 15

Describe the histology of the epididymis.

Answer 15

• 2 main sections made of pseudostratified epithelium (ductulus efferens- head, ductus epididymis, has more sterocilia and larger lumen at tail)
• muscle layer: thin towards head and thick towards tail

Question 16

What are the 2 cell types of the epididymis?

Answer 16

1. principal cells (shorter towards tail with sterocilia)
2. basal cells (square at base, provide stem cells for replacing principal)

Question 17

What is the function of the vas deferens?

Answer 17

transports mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra to prepare for ejaculation

Question 18

Describe the histology of the vas deferens.

Answer 18

• longest excurrent duct
• 3 layers of smooth muscle
• pseudostratified with stereocilia

Question 19

What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 19

• secretory function under testosterone control (how much and how often)
  1. fructose (primary substance for sperm metabolism)
  2. amino acids
  3. prostaglandins

Question 20

Describe the histology of the seminal vesicles.

Answer 20

• paired, elongated, highly folded tubular glands
• wall: mucosa, thin layer smooth muscle, fibrous coat
• epithelium: pseudostratified (not much cilia)

Question 21

Function of the prostate?

Answer 21

Secrete (controlled by DHT):
1. acid phosphatase
2. fibrinolysin
3. citric acid
4. prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

Question 22

Describe the histology of the prostate.

Answer 22

• glands: tubuloalveolar (sacs of glands that secrete in a tube)
• stroma: thick fibromuscular
• parenchyma: mucosa, submucosa, peripheral layer, and simple columnar epithelium
• prostatic concretions: fluid that sits & calicifies

Question 23

Why is urinary dysfunction a sign of prostate issues?

Answer 23

benign prostate hyperplasia leads to difficulty urinating (transitional zone) and frequent urination with periurethral zone… prostate wraps around ureter so hyperplasia and swelling can lead to dysfunction

Question 24

What is the bulbourethral gland?

Answer 24

pea-sized glands in urogenital diaphragmW

Question 25

What is the function of the bulbourethral/Cowpers glands?

Answer 25

Secretion:
1. galactose
2. galacturonic acid
3. sialic acid

• mucousy pre-seminal fluid that lubricates penile urethra to neutralize traces of acidic urine

Question 26

What is the histology of the bulbourethral gland?

Answer 26

tubuloalveolar glands (like the prostate)

Question 27

Corpus spongiosum function.

Answer 27

protection for urethra (adipose)
1 ventral mass, urethra embedded

Question 28

Corpus cavernosa function.

Answer 28

responsible for erection (spongy tissue with lots of space for blood to enter and expand tissue)
2 dorsal masses

Question 29

What is the function of the venous spaces in the corpuses of the penis?

Answer 29

• fill with blood and increase rigidity (surrounded by thin smooth muscle)
• NO synthesis leads to dilation of arteries which leads to excess blood flow