Histology of Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Role of testis
production of spermatozoa and secretion of male sex hormones
4 parts of male reproductive system
testis, genital ducts, accessory glands, penis
Role of genital ducts
collect, store, conduct spermatozoa from each testis
Role of accessory glands
secrete nutritive and lubricating fluid called seminal fluid
Most notable difference between gametogenesis in males/females.
For each primary spermatocytes entering meiosis, you get 4 haploid gametes (x or y) vs. in females, for each oocyte, you get 1 gamete (and remaining polar bodies)
First division is called ____ and involves separation of homologs.
reduction of primary spermatocyte
Production process of sperm (n)
2n –> 4n (diploid)–> 2 x 2n (haploid)–> 4 x 1n (haploid)
The testis is surrounded by a fibrous capsule called the ______ which divides testis into lobules.
tunica albuginea
Where does spermatogenesis take place?
250 pyramidal lobules –> 1-4 u-shaped tubules/lobule –> 300-900m total length/testis
Each tubule in the testis empty into what structure?
rete testis
What cells exist between tubules?
macrophages, interstitial leydig cells,
Where are myoid cells in tubules?
at the basal lamina/membrane of the tubule (nonluminal side)
____ layers of ____ cells contain components of smooth muscle and provide contractile propulsion of immotile germ cells from tubules into lumen.
3-5 layers of myoid cells
T/F myoid cells respond to testosterone.
T –> they have androgen binding proteins in their membranes
The _____ artery provides the blood for the testis via the _____.
testicular artery via the tunica
The _____ is a classic steroid secreting cell
leydig –> large cell with peripheral nucleus –> testosterone production + maintenance of seminiferous epithelium
Reductional division takes how long?
3 weeks
2nd division of spermatogonia produce _______.
spermatids
Why are spermatids connected during differentiation?
to share proteins (because y spermatids can’t produce all they need) and to synchronize development
______ protein is essential for formation of intercellular bridges and fertility.
TEX14 = testis expressed gene 14
Where do sperm gain motility?
In the ductus deferens
Type A spermatogonia
least mature: round, dark staining, nucleus condensed
Type B spermatogonia
still mitotic, visible nucleoli, dispersed chromatin, begin to enter meiosis –> duplicate
Primary spermatocytes
duplicated DNA, condensed chromatin, lined up
Secondary spermatocytes
are the products of reductional division and divide quickly to form spermatids –> hard to find
Spermatids
very round
Spermatozoa
spermatids that undergo spermatogenesis results in sperm-looking cells
Features of spermatogenesis
production of an acrosomal cap, elongation of flagellum, removal of residual cytoplasm, alignment of microtubules about the flagella, condensing/compaction of nucleus
Acrosome
modified lysozome which allows degradation of zona pellucida/cumulus layer of egg –> hyaluronidase, neuraminidase, etc.
Acrosomes are amalgamations of _____
golgi
Cilia are made of _____
9+1 microtubule
How long do sperm spend in the testis as they develop?
45-60 days
How long do sperm spend in the ducts for final maturation?
7-14 days
The entire sperm cycle takes ____ days.
75 days
Kartagener Syndrome/Immotile Cilia Syndrome
immotile spermatozoa, resulting infertility –> absence of dynein or other proteins for flagellar motility; associated with chronic respiratory infection
T/F Kartagener syndrome reduces female fertility.
F –> in females, redundant mechanisms ensure flagella can function
T/F Sertoli cells have processes that can traverse the tubule
T
_____ cells are the predominant testicular cells in prepubertal males.
sertoli
Role of microtubules/microfilaments in Sertoli cells.
help propel sperm into tubule
T/F Sertoli cells can have macrophagic function
T –> will degrade degenerate spermatozoa
Roles of Sertoli cells.
support, protect, and provide nutrition to germ cells, phagocytose residual bodies/degenerate cells, secrete androgen-binding protein, inhibin, activin, produce anti-mullerian hormone, blood-testis barrier
_____ provides negative feedback for sperm development and _____ provides positive feedback.
inhibin and activin
_____ cells form the blood testis barrier.
Sertoli cells –> tight junctions separate basal and luminal compartment
Role of blood testis barrier
protect advanced spermatogenic cells from blood-borne pathogens
_____ cells absorb seminiferous fluid that surround sperm being released from rete testis.
non-ciliated cells in ductus efferentes
Epididymis function
accumulation, storage, maturation of sperm –> stabilization of condensed chromatin, changes in plasma membrane charge, acquisition of motility
What kind of epithelia is the epidymis?
pseudostratified w/stereocilia (microvilli)
Function of epidydimal epithelia
resorb testicular fluid, phagocytose residual bodies/degenerate spermatozoa, secrete glycoproteins to induce maturation
T/F the epithelial layer of the vas deferens is the same as the epididymal epithelia
T
There is more ______ in the tail vs the head of the epidymis
muscle
Seminal vesicles make up what proportion of male ejaculate?
> 50% –> fructose, citrate, prostaglandins, proteins
What kind of epithelia is in the seminal vesicles
pseudostratified columnar
_____ is a collection of 30-50 branched tubuloaveolar glands with emptying ducts into the _____.
prostate and urethra
T/F the prostate is surrounded by a fibroelastic capsule
T
Prostate has ___ sets of glands
3
mucosal glands empty into
urethra
submucosal glands and peripheral zone glands enter into ____ which empty into the ____
ducts that empty into urethra
What kind of epithelia are in the prostate?
tall columnar and cuboidal
Products of the prostate
acid phosphatase, citric acid, fibrinolysin, other proteins
dense bodies of glycoproteins that calcify in older men (in prostate gland)
Corpus amylacea
Starting at age 45, what happens to the prostate?
proliferation of mucosal cells and compression of urethra –> difficulty urinating
Adenocarcinoma localizes where in the prostate?
at border –> within the fibrous capsule
Components of penis
2 corpora cavernosa, 1 corpus cavernosum, urethra (corpus spongiosum)
CCP and CCU contain irregular and communicating blood spaces called _____which fill with blood during _____.
sinusoids fill during erection
