HD2 Histology: Male Reproductive Pathology Flashcards
Label A-C
A: Semineferous tubules
B: Tunica albuginea
C: Epididymis
Name this region of the testis [1]
Rete testis
What is the layer called that surrounds the testis? [1]
tunica albuginea
Name the two stages of spermatogenesis [2]
Spermatogenesis (Spermatogenesis is the process by which an undifferentiated spermatogonium develops into a spermatid)
Spermiogenesis (Spermiogenesis is the process by which a spermatid matures into a spermatozoan)
Describe the process of spermatogenesis [5]
Spermatogenesis:
* Division of spermatognia into more spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes via meiosis
* Spermatogonia remain in the basal compartment
* Primary spermatocytes migrate away from the basement membrane and cross in the adjuminal comparment towards the lumen of the ST
* Primary spermatocytes then enter meiosis (prolonged prophase) - which faciliates the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes
* First division creates secondary spermatocytes with 23 pairs of chromosomes
* Secondary spermatocytes divide into haploid spermatids
What is the final product of spermatogenesis? [1]
Haploid spermatid
Describe the processes that occur in spemiogenesis [4]
Cellular changes occur in the spermatid:
* Development of acrosome
* Development of flagellum
* Mitochondria develop around flagellum
* Bulk of cytoplasm is removed
Describe the processes that occur in spemiogenesis [4]
Cellular changes occur in the spermatid:
* Development of acrosome
* Development of flagellum
* Mitochondria develop around flagellum
* Bulk of cytoplasm is removed
What does the sperm acrosome contain [1] and what is their function [1]
Contents: hydrolytic enzymes
Role: help the sperm penetrate the egg’s coats
Where are sertoli cells located? [1]
germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules.
Describe the structure / how would you recognise sertoli cells? [2]
Nuclei is oval, intense nucleolus and large nucleus
Extend from the basement membrane to the lumen of seminiferous tubules
Have abundant cytoplasm
Describe the role of sertoli cells:
- Structurally [1]
- Which molecules does it produce? [2]
- synthesize androgen-binding protein: keeps testosterone levels high in the ST
- Structural and chemical support to the developing spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids: forms barrier stopping sperm
- produce inhibin: controls amount of FSH produced
What is the role of Leydig cells? [1]
Name of structre often found inside them? [1]
- Produce testosterone: binds to androgen binding protein in the Sertoli cells
- Causes the the growth and maintenance of cells of the germinal epithelium and the development of secondary sex characteristics
- Often have cytoplasmic crystals of Reinke
Explain the role of the blood-testis barrier? [2]
Creates an Immunological Barrier:
This is necessary to avoid the production of anti-sperm antibodies and autoimmune disease, which leads to male infertility
Describe the appearance of prepuberty testis? [3]
- the seminiferous tubules contain mostly Sertoli cells (oval nuclei)
- A few differentiated Leydig cells
- Most of the interstitial tissue between tubules are fibroblasts
Why is there no testosterone produced in prepuberty testis? [1]
No FSH produced so no testosterone produced
What are the cell types of rete testis? [1]
ciliated cuboidal epithelial
Where in the testis do sperm become mobile? [1]
Epididymis
Describe the structure of the epididymis [2]
- pseudostratified epithelium w/ non-motile stereocilia
- contain lots of spermatozoa in the lumen
What is the function of the non-motile stereocilia on the epididymis? [1]
absorb much of the excess fluid containing the spermatozoa
Describe the structure of the ducuts / vas deferens
- Muscular wall comprised of: Inner longitudinal, middle circular, and outer longitudinal
- Pseudostratified cells bearing stereocilia
How can you distinguish between a slide that is the seminiferous tubule compared to the epididymis? [1]
seminiferous tubule: few sperm in lumen
epididymis: lots of sperm in lumen
Seminal vesicles are glandular sacs that produce a secretion that composes 80% of the seminal fluid. Name three productst that are in the secretion produced by the seminal vesicles
Contains fructose, fibrinogen, and prostaglandins (energy for sperm; keeps seminal fluid liquid)
Describe the structure of the seminal vesicles [3]
- Appear honeycombed: thin highly branched folds of mucosa
- lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium
- Note the layer of smooth muscle surrounding the saccular dilation of the gland (helps to expel fluid)
The prostate produces a secretory product containing what? [2]
Citric acid and proteolytic enzymes that prevent coagulation of semen and break down female mucus
What is the structure of the cells in the prostate? [1]
How can you recognise that a slide comes from the prostate? [1]
Columnar
Contain prostatic concretions – protein aggregations that accumulate
What is the structure of the cells in the prostate? [1]
How can you recognise that a slide comes from the prostate? [1]
Columnar
Contain prostatic concretions – protein aggregations that accumulate
The male urethra is lined by what type of cell? [1]
How does this change when it reaches the opening? [1]
Urethra is lined with transitional epithelium
But at its opening changes to a stratified squamous epithelium
How would atrophic testis appear? [1]
Which cell types are present? [2]
Looks like pre-pubertal seminiferous tubule
- Seminiferous tubules contain Sertoli cells, but none of the characteristic cells of spermatogenesis
- Abundant Leydig cells remain in the interstitium
In which condition would you see atrophic testis? [1]
Atrophic testes occur in cryptorchidism, when testis fail to descend into the scrotum
How would you expect the levels of testosterone to compare to a health male individual? [1]
Because the number of Leydig cells does not change, the levels of testosterone should be similar to a healthy male
Nodular hyperplasia of the prostate: which part of the prostate does it occur in? [1]
Transitional zone has proliferation and hypertrophy
Adenocarcinoma prostate:
Occurs in which zone of the prostate? [1]
How does is it present histopathologically/ [1]
peripheral zone w/ adenocarnioma
Note the malignant glands are generally smaller than benign glands
Benign: L; Malignant: R
Explain the pathophysiology of testicular torsion
Twisting of spermatic cord:
- Venous compromise
- Turns to arterial occlusion
- Ischemia
Treatment of testicular torsion? [3]
Treatment
* Detorsion
* Orchidopexy (surgical procedure that moves an undescended testicle into the scrotum). Plus contralateral side check
* Orchiectomy (a surgical procedure to remove one or both testicles) 42% during surgical evaluation
What are the two types of testicular cancer & where do they originate? [2]
Which is more common? [1]
Which is more likely to metastasise? [1]
Seminomas:
* Originate in germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules (germ cells)
* More common
Non-seminmomas
* Yolk sac, embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma and teratomas
* More likely to metastasise
Which part of the testis changes during testicular cancer and how does it present? [1]
Seminiferous tubule becomes full of proliferating spermatogonia
Which part of the testis changes during testicular cancer and how does it present? [1]
Seminiferous tubule becomes full of **proliferating spermatogonia **
Treatment for testicualr cancer?
- Surgery (radical orchiectomy) for primary
- Surveillance protocols used for stage 1 disease
- Radiation (very radiosensitive tumour) and chemotherapy (platinum based) used in higher stage disease
- Retroperitoneal lymph b dissection used for residual post chemotherapy disease
Label A-F
Label A-C
What is wrong with this testis slide? [1]
Nothing: prepubertal
Which part of the male reproductive tract is this? [1]
epididymis
Which part of the male reproductive tract is this? [1]
Vas deferens
Which part of the male reproductive tract is this? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
Name and descirbe the role of A [2]
Leydig cell; produces testosterone
Identify A, B, C, and D in this image of the germinal epithelium.
A = Leydig cell, B = spermatozoa, C = primary spermatocyte, D = spermatogonium
Name this structure
Ductus deferens
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
What is the stage of the large cells with pale cytoplasm?.
Primary spermocytes
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate - Note the concretion in the lumen.
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
Sertoli cell. They form the blood-testis barrier through intercellular connections (tight junctions). They also secrete androgen-binding protein.
Myoid cells. They generate rhythmic contractions to propel spermatozoa through seminiferous tubules. They also synthesize collagen.
Leydig Cell. It synthesizes testosterone. Leutenizing hormone (LH) stimulates it to increase production of testosterone.
Sterocilia. Actin filaments provide structural support.
Prostate:
Basal cell. Its presence distinguishes benign glands from adenocarcinomas.
Prostatic concretion. Helps to identify the prostate.
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
Which part of the male reproductive tract does this histology slide depict? [1]
Seminal vesicle Note the foldings of the mucosa,
Prostate
Vas deferens
Epididymus
Seminiferous tubule
