histo male repro I Flashcards
What does the male reproductive system consists of?
- testis
- genital excurrent ducts
- accessory sex glands
- penis
what does the male reproductive system produce?
*Produce haploid germ cells spermatozoa
*Hormones
Testosterone and its metabolite dihydrotestosterone, which in the fetus stimulates the development of the external genitalia
*Secretions (semen)
To nourish and propel sperm lubrication for pathway during ejaculation
what si the function of the copulatory organ?
to place sperm in female reproductive tract (internal fertilization)
what does tunica albuginea cover?
seminiferous tubules and the tunica vaginalis is the most external layer
memorize
memorize
describe the tunica albuginea
unusually thick connective tissue capsule
*Connective tissue from capsule form into lobules, that consist of several convoluted seminiferous tubules, one to four in which sperm is produced.
*Leydig cells are found in the connective tissue stroma
idenitfy
testis, seminiferous tubules
identify
in connective tissue blue found are leydig cells
identify
Pre-pubescent seminiferous tubules. Note absence of both lumen and maturing germ cells. Leydig cells in the interstitium are inactive. sertoli cells prominent
identify
Post-puberty seminiferous tubules. Note lumen, developing germ cells at various stages within a single tubule, and active Leydig cells in the interstitium. myodal cells permit contraction for ejaculation in periphery of seminiferous tubules
which cells are present in the seminiferous tubules?
- Sertoli cells are supporting or sustentacular cells for developing germ cells. These cells do not replicate after puberty. Sertoli cells have extensive apical and lateral processes and extend trough the full thickness of the seminiferous tubes. Provide structural organization to the tubules
- Spermatogenic cells
Derived from primordial germ cells originating in the yolk sac. The most immature spermatogenic cells called spermatogonia, rest on the basal lamina
describe the seminiferous tubules
Each seminiferous tubule is approximately 50 cm long (range, 30 to 80 cm) and 150 to 250 μm in diameter
identify
The connective tissue around seminiferous tubules is the Interstitium: Contains myoid cells contain abundant actin filaments.
Leydig cells (Interstitial cells)
identify
The connective tissue around seminiferous tubules is the Interstitium: Contains myoid cells contain abundant actin filaments.
Leydig cells (Interstitial cells)
describe leydig cells
Leydig cells (interstitial cells) are large, polygonal, eosinophilic cells that typically contain lipid droplets.
found in leydig cells: Rod-shaped cytoplasmic crystals, the crystals of Reinke. Although their exact nature and function remain unknown, they probably represent a protein product of the cell.
identofy
Crystal
of Reinke
identify
leydig cells
when do leydig cells secrete testosterone?
Leydig cells differentiate and secrete testosterone during embryonic development, sexual maturation, and reproductive function
what are the functions of the testosterone secreted?
endocrine and paracrine (seminiferous tubules) activities
explain the importance of testosterone secretion in the embryo, during puberty and in the adult?
*In the embryo, secretion of testosterone is essential for the normal development of the gonads in the male fetus. Leydig cells also secrete insulin-like protein 3 (INSL3) that stimulates descent of the testis during development.
*At puberty, secretion of testosterone is responsible for the initiation of sperm production and development of secondary sex characteristics. Secretion of INSL3 also promotes meiotic divisions in the seminiferous tubules.
*In the adult, secretion of testosterone is essential for the maintenance of spermatogenesis and of secondary sex characteristics. Leydig cells in the adult testes are the chief source of circulating insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) protein.
what other hormone does leydig cells secret?
Leydig cells produce and secrete oxytocin. Testicular oxytocin stimulates contraction of myoid cells that surround the seminiferous tubules, moving the spermatozoa toward the efferent ductules.
what is spermatogenesis and when doe sit happen?
Spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatogonia develop into sperm
It begins shortly before puberty, under the influence of rising levels of pituitary gonadotropins
what are the spermatogensis distinct phases?
- Spermatogonial phase, in which spermatogonia divide by mitosis to replace themselves as well as provide a population of committed spermatogonia that will eventually give rise to primary spermatocytes (MITOSIS)
- Spermatocyte phase (meiosis), in which primary spermatocytes undergo two meiotic divisions to reduce both the chromosome number and amount of DNA to produce haploid cells called spermatids
- Spermatid phase (spermiogenesis), in which spermatids differentiate into mature sperm cells
At the end of spermatogenesis, spermatids undergo their final maturation and are released from the supporting Sertoli cells during a process called spermiation.