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GGE > Gametes - Male Reproduction > Flashcards

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
Q

What is the arrangement of the flagellum

A

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
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26
Q

Visual depiction of spermiogenesis

A
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27
Q

Explain the 3 functions of sertoli cells

A
  • 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
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28
Q

What are the hormonal functions of sertoli cells (4)

A
  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
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29
Q

5 functions of the blood-testes barrier

A
  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
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30
Q

What is the function of leydig cells

A

Synthesise androgens

  • Testosterone
  • Dihydrotestosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
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31
Q

Male sex steroid synthesis

A
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32
Q

Average testosterone levels over a lifetime

A
33
Q

What are the effects of androgens on the body

A
  • 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
Q

Ligand specific androgen activity in utero

A

TESTOSTERONE

  • Internal ductal system
  • Descent of testes
35
Q

Cryptorchidism

A

Testes do not descend into the scrotum

36
Q

What does dihydrotestosterone do in utero

A
  • Stimulates development of external genitalia
37
Q

Visual depiction of regulation of spermatogenesis

A
38
Q

What is the reflex of ejaculation

A
  • 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
Q

Blood flow during ejaculation

A

Penis engorged with blood - expansion compresses the veins & slows blood leaving penis

40
Q
A
41
Q

During ejaculation, what happens to the bulbocarvenous muscle at the base of the penis

A
  • Rapid series of contraction
  • Propels semen from the urethra
42
Q

Signalling pathway for penile erection

A
  • ACh increases NO, which causes an increase in cGMP
  • cGMP causes smooth muscle relaxation
  • Relaxation of arterioles increases blood flow to penis
43
Q

What is cGMP degraded by

A

Phosphodiesterase 5 which terminates its action

44
Q

What is the MOA of viagra

A
  • Inhibits phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) and therefore decreases cGMP breakdown
  • Prolonged arteriolar dilation
  • Prolonged erection
45
Q

What is the evaluation of seminal fluid used for

A
  • Assessment of fertility
  • Forensic purposes
  • Effectiveness of vasectomy - 2 -ve samples 1 month apart
  • Suitability for artificial insemination
46
Q

What does seminal plasma contain (3) and in what proportion

A
  • Prostatic fluid (30% of vol)
  • Epididymal fluid (5% of vol)
  • Seminal vesicle fluid (remainder)
47
Q

What are the 2 types of cells in ejaculate

A
  • Spermatozoa
  • Leukocytes of various types - bacteria & epithelial cells
48
Q

Volume of ejaculate

A

2-6 ml

49
Q

pH of ejaculate

A

7.2-8.4 (inflammatory disorders of the accessory glands can take pH outside of this range)

50
Q

Sperm count of ejaculate

A

> 20 million/ml

Total count = > 40 million

51
Q

Morphology of ejaculate

A

> 30% normal form

52
Q

Viability of sperm in ejaculate

A

> 75%

53
Q

WBC count in ejaculate

A

< 1 million/ml

54
Q

RBC count in ejaculate

A

None

55
Q

Describe the seminal vesicle

A
  • Fructose - marker for seminal vesicle function - energy source
  • Prostaglandins - sperm motility
  • Alkaline - neutralises acidic prostate secretion & female tract
  • Proteins-coagulate semen
56
Q

Describe the epididymis

A
  • Alpha-glucosidase - marker for epididymal function
  • CD52 - seminal glycoprotein incorporated into sperm membrane
  • Glycogen
57
Q

What does the prostate secrete

A
  • 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
Q

At what pH does sperm die

A

6.9

59
Q

Rapid progressive spermatozoa

A

> 25 um/s

60
Q

Slow progressive spermatozoa

A

5-25 um/s

61
Q

Non-progressive spermatozoa

A

< 5 um/s

62
Q

Immotile spermatozoa

A

No flagellar movement

63
Q

Sperm kinematics

A

The way sperm swim affects their motility

64
Q

How must sperm swim in order to get through the cervix

A

They have to swim in a straight path

65
Q

How do sperm get through the outer layer of the egg

A

They have to generate a lot of power - this is seen as hyperactivated motility

66
Q

Aspermia

A

No semen ejaculated

67
Q

Hematospermia

A

Blood present in semen

68
Q

Leucocytospermia

A

WBCs present in semen

69
Q

Azospermia

A

No spermatozoa found in semen

70
Q

Normospermia

A

Normal semen parameters

71
Q

Oligospermia

A

Low sperm concentration

72
Q

Asthenospermia

A

Poor motility and/or forward progression

73
Q

Teratospermia

A

Reduced % of morphologically normal sperm

74
Q

Necrospermia

A

No live sperm in semen

75
Q

What is different about sperm produced in seminiferous tubules

A

Morphologically mature but functionally immature

  • Non-motile and not capable of fertilisation
76
Q

What is the biochemical change to sperm

A

Removal of glycoprotein covering head of sperm takes place in uterus and oviduct over several hours

  • functional maturity
77
Q

How does the sperm cell membrane change

A
  • 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
Q

What are the 3 changes in sperm due to capacitation

A
  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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