Histology of the Testis and Excretory Ducts Flashcards
2 functions of the male reproductive system
- Elaboration of sex hormones
- Formation and delivery of the male gametes into the female reproductive tract
Primary function of the testis
Production of spermatozoa (male gamete)
Androgen-producing cell of the testis
Leydig cell
4 functions of androgens
- Embryo development of male fetus
- Initiation and maintenance of spermatozoa production
- Development of accessory organs and secondary sex characteristics
- Secretion of accessory glands
Capsule of connective tissue surrounding the testis
Tunica albuginea
Tubules contained in the lobules of the testis
Seminiferous tubules
End of the seminiferous tubules
Rete testis
What embeds the seminiferous tubules in the lobules of the testis?
Connective tissue stroma (interstitium)
Location of Leydig cells
Interstitium surrounding the seminiferous tubules
6 histological characteristics of Leydig cells
- Polyhedral
- Round, homogenous nuclei
- Triangular clusters
- Acidophilic
- Elaborate SER
- Large juxtanuclear Golgi apparatus
- Abundant mitochondria
- Peroxisomes
2 electron micrograph characteristics of steroid producing cells
- Lots of mitochondria
- Lots of SER
Hormone that stimulates Leydig cells to secrete androgens
LH
2 effects of Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS)
- Implication in the regulation of steroidogenesis
- Mullerian duct regression
Contractile elements of the seminiferous tubules
Myoid cells
Function of myoid cells of the seminiferous tubules
Peristaltic movement to transport the currently immotile spermatozoa from the seminiferous tubule towards the rete testis
5 contents of the interestitium of the lumen of the testis
- Leydig cells
- Lymphatics
- Blood vessels
- Fibrocytes
- Macrophages
Function of macrophages in proximity to Leydig cells
Production of cytokines that can crosstalk with Leydig cells
Somatic cells of the seminiferous epithelium
Sertoli cells