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Gametes - Male Reproduction Flashcards

1
Q

The testes are an ______ septa

A

Incomplete

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2
Q

How many lobules do the testes have

A

250

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3
Q

How many seminiferous tubules are there

A

1-4

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4
Q

Name the type of cells associated with the loose connective tissue of the testes

A

Interstitial cells of leydig

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5
Q

How are the testes gametogenic

Name the processes that take place in the testes

A

Produce mature spermatozoa

  • Spermatogenesis
  • Spermiogenesis
  • Spermiation - seminiferous tubules
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6
Q

What is the endocrine function of the testes and what is it associated with

A

Testosterone - leydig cells

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7
Q

What cells start the process of spermatogenesis

A

Germ cells (at puberty)

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8
Q

What is produced by spermatogenesis

What are the 2 types

A

Increase in number by mitosis to form SPERMATOGONIA (type A and B)

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9
Q

What is unique about type B spermatogonia

A

Replicate DNA to have 46 double structured chromosomes to begin meiosis-1 and are called primary spermatocytes

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10
Q

Visual depiction of spermatogenesis

A
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11
Q

Define spermiogenesis

A

Spermatid to spermatozoa

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12
Q

What is present in the golgi phase of spermiogenesis

A
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13
Q

Explain the cap phase of spermiogenesis

A
  • The golgi migrates towards the caudal part of the cell
  • The distal centriole (DC) forms the axoneme (AX) or flagellum that projects away from the nucleus toward the lumen of the seminiferous tubule
  • The acrosomic vesicle flattens and begins to form a distinct cap consisting of an outer acrosomal membrane (OAM), an inner acrosomal membrane (IAM) and the acrosomal contents (enzymes)
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14
Q

Explain the acrosomal phase of spermiogenesis

A
  • The spermatid nucleus begins to elongate and the acrosome eventually covers the majority of the anterior nucleus
  • The manchette forms in the region of the caudal half of the nucleus and extends down toward the developing flagellum
  • The neck and the annulus are formed
  • The annulus will become the juncture between the middle piece and the principal piece
  • All components of the developing spermatid are completely surrounded by a plasma membrane
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15
Q

Explain the maturation phase of spermiogenesis

A
  • Mitochondria form a spiral assembly around the flagellum that defines the middle piece
  • the post nuclear cap is formed from the manchette microtubules
  • The annulus forms the juncture between the middle piece and the principal piece
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16
Q

What is spermiation

A

Process by which mature spermatids are released from Sertoli cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen prior to their passage to the epididymis

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17
Q

How long does it take to get from spermatogonia to spermatozoa

A

64 days

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18
Q

Where are spermatozoa present

A

In some tubules and predominantly spermatids or primary spermatocytes in other

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19
Q

Temperature required for normal sperm production

A

2-3 degrees below core body temp

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20
Q

Structure of spermatozoa

A
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21
Q

Function of the nucleus of sperm

How is DNA stabilised

Active or inactive

A
  • Haploid
  • Condensed DNA stabilised by S-S bonds till fertilisation
  • Inactive - no synthetic activity occurs
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22
Q

Function of the acrosome of the sperm

A

Enzymes facilitate sperm penetration

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23
Q

Function of plasma membrane of sperm

A

Very little cytoplasm in sperm - surrounds the entire tail

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24
Q

What does the mid peice of the sperm do

What is its structure

A
  • Mitochondrial helix
  • Gives energy for motility - ATP production
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25
What is the arrangement of the flagellum
Microtubular arrangement * 9 course outer fibres - structural support (rigidity to tail) do not contract * 9 inner double tubules - involved in tail movement, contract via beta and alpha tubulin
26
Visual depiction of spermiogenesis
27
Explain the 3 functions of sertoli cells
* Nourishment of seminiferous tubule cells * Inner tubule is avascular * Transport nutrients to lumen region * Phagocytosis * Cytoplasmic droplets from spermatids * Damaged germ cells * Add to seminal fluid * Synthesize luminal proteins * Maintain tubular fluid
28
What are the hormonal functions of sertoli cells (4)
1. Androgen binding protein - maintains testosterone levels in ST 2. Inhibin - inhibits FSH 3. Activin - stimulates FSH (modulates spermatogenesis via FSH) 4. Converts **androgens** to **oestrogens** - hormonal modulation of tubular function
29
5 functions of the blood-testes barrier
1. Prevents autoimmune destruction of sperm 2. Produces FAS ligand which binds to the T-cell FAS receptor 3. Triggering apoptosis of T lymphocytes 4. Prevents immune function 5. Barrier to blood toxins
30
What is the function of leydig cells
Synthesise androgens * Testosterone * Dihydrotestosterone * Dehydroepiandrosterone
31
Male sex steroid synthesis
32
Average testosterone levels over a lifetime
33
What are the effects of androgens on the body
* Increase in **spermatogenesis** * Increase in **bone matrix** and **Ca2+** deposition * Promotes **epiphyseal closure** * Increase in **muscle mass** * Increase in **larynx** size * Increase in **BMR** * Increase in **RBC density** * Increase **O2** utilisation * Increase in **skin thickness** * Increase in **melanin** deposition * Increase in **sebum** secretion
34
Ligand specific androgen activity in utero
TESTOSTERONE * Internal ductal system * Descent of testes
35
Cryptorchidism
Testes do not descend into the scrotum
36
What does dihydrotestosterone do in utero
* Stimulates development of external genitalia
37
Visual depiction of regulation of spermatogenesis
38
What is the reflex of ejaculation
* Parasympathetic * Arterioles dilate * SM relaxation via NO * Spinal reflex initiated * Also sympathetic discharge to the genital organs * Reproductive ducts/accessory glands contract peristaltically, discharging their contents into the urethra
39
Blood flow during ejaculation
Penis engorged with blood - expansion compresses the veins & slows blood leaving penis
40
41
During ejaculation, what happens to the bulbocarvenous muscle at the base of the penis
* Rapid series of contraction * Propels semen from the urethra
42
Signalling pathway for penile erection
* ACh increases NO, which causes an increase in cGMP * cGMP causes smooth muscle relaxation * Relaxation of arterioles increases blood flow to penis
43
What is cGMP degraded by
Phosphodiesterase 5 which terminates its action
44
What is the MOA of viagra
* Inhibits phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) and therefore decreases cGMP breakdown * Prolonged arteriolar dilation * Prolonged erection
45
What is the evaluation of seminal fluid used for
* Assessment of fertility * Forensic purposes * Effectiveness of vasectomy - 2 -ve samples 1 month apart * Suitability for artificial insemination
46
What does seminal plasma contain (3) and in what proportion
* Prostatic fluid (30% of vol) * Epididymal fluid (5% of vol) * Seminal vesicle fluid (remainder)
47
What are the 2 types of cells in ejaculate
* Spermatozoa * Leukocytes of various types - bacteria & epithelial cells
48
Volume of ejaculate
2-6 ml
49
pH of ejaculate
7.2-8.4 (inflammatory disorders of the accessory glands can take pH outside of this range)
50
Sperm count of ejaculate
\> 20 million/ml Total count = \> 40 million
51
Morphology of ejaculate
\> 30% normal form
52
Viability of sperm in ejaculate
\> 75%
53
WBC count in ejaculate
\< 1 million/ml
54
RBC count in ejaculate
None
55
Describe the seminal vesicle
* **Fructose** - marker for seminal vesicle function - energy source * **Prostaglandins** - sperm motility * **Alkaline** - neutralises acidic prostate secretion & female tract * **Proteins-coagulate semen**
56
Describe the epididymis
* **Alpha-glucosidase** - marker for epididymal function * **CD52** - seminal glycoprotein incorporated into sperm membrane * **Glycogen**
57
What does the prostate secrete
* **Calcium** * **Zinc** - anti-bacterial - marker for prostate function * **Citric acid** - very high concentration - levels reduced in prostate cancer (biomarker) * **Acid phosphatase** - marker for prostatic function * Albumin * **Prostatic Specific Antigen** (PSA) * Protein produced by the epithelial cells of the prostate * Biomarker for prostate cancer (\> ng/ml)
58
At what pH does sperm die
6.9
59
Rapid progressive spermatozoa
\> 25 um/s
60
Slow progressive spermatozoa
5-25 um/s
61
Non-progressive spermatozoa
\< 5 um/s
62
Immotile spermatozoa
No flagellar movement
63
Sperm kinematics
The way sperm swim affects their motility
64
How must sperm swim in order to get through the cervix
They have to swim in a straight path
65
How do sperm get through the outer layer of the egg
They have to generate a lot of power - this is seen as hyperactivated motility
66
Aspermia
No semen ejaculated
67
Hematospermia
Blood present in semen
68
Leucocytospermia
WBCs present in semen
69
Azospermia
No spermatozoa found in semen
70
Normospermia
Normal semen parameters
71
Oligospermia
Low sperm concentration
72
Asthenospermia
Poor motility and/or forward progression
73
Teratospermia
Reduced % of morphologically normal sperm
74
Necrospermia
No live sperm in semen
75
What is different about sperm produced in seminiferous tubules
Morphologically mature but functionally immature * Non-motile and not capable of fertilisation
76
What is the biochemical change to sperm
Removal of glycoprotein covering head of sperm takes place in uterus and oviduct over several hours - functional maturity
77
How does the sperm cell membrane change
* Alterations in surface glycoproteins * Removal of cholesterol - increased fluidity of membrane * Loss of glycoproteins - expose egg binding protein * Fluctuations in Ca2+ * Protein phosphorylation via cAMP * Absolute requirement for capacitation
78
What are the 3 changes in sperm due to capacitation
1. Increased metabolism - fructose for energy 2. Flagellum increase rate of beating - increased sperm motility 3. Activation of acrosomal enzymes - pro-acrosin changes to acrosin

GGE (33 decks)

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