Histophysiology Flashcards
What is the 2 functions of reproduction in male
Production of spermatozoa
Convey to female
What is the 5 processes involved in spermatozoa production & conveying to female
- Maturation of spermatozoa in epididymis for 30 days
- Storage in epididymis & vascular deference for up to months
- Emission by emptying content into prostatic urethra
- Production of other semen fluids
- Erection & ejaculation
What is the 2 functions of the testes
Produce spermatozoa & testosterone
What is the 4 cell types in testes
- Epithelial cells
- Sertoli cells
- Leydig cells
- Sperm cells
What is the seminiferous tubule lining
Specialized seminiferous epithelial cells
What 2 specialized cell types are there in seminiferous tubule
Sertolie cells
Spermatogenic cells
What 4 structures surround the seminiferous tubule
Basement membrane
Myoid/peritubular cells
Fibroblasts
Collagenous fibers
What cell type is Sertoli cells
Tall columnar cells w/ deep cytoplasmic infoldings
What is 5 functions of Sertoli cells
- Support, protect & nourish developing spermatogenic cells
- Phagocytosis of residual bodies
- Facilitate release of spermatozoa
- Forms blood‐testis barrier they create an immunological privilege that prevent autoimmune reactions
- Tight junctions secrete FAS ligand that eliminates T cell mediated immune response
How long does spermatogenesis take
70-80 days
What is the 3 phases of spermatogenesis
- Spermatocytogenesis
- Spermatocyte phase
- Spermiogenesis
What is the conversion is spermatocytogenesis, process involved & where it occurs
Spermatogonia to primary spermatocyte
Mitosis
Basal compartment
What is the conversion is spermatocyte phase, process involved & where it occurs
Primary spermatocyte to 4 spermatids
Meiosis 1 & 2
Adluminal compartment
What is the conversion is spermiogenesis, process involved & where it occurs
Spermatids to spermatozoa
Cell differentiation & maturation of haploid gamete
Adluminal compartment
What is the cells type in spermatocytogenesis
Type Ad: stem cells (dark nucleus)
Type Ap: undergo mitotic division (pale nucleus)
Type B: chromatin condensed into clumps
What is the processes in spermatocyte phase
Primary spermatocyte undergoes meiosis 1 to form secondary spermatocyte undergoes meiosis 2 to form 4 spermatids
What is the 4 developmental phases of spermiogenesis
- Golgi phase
- Cap phase
- Acrosomal phase
- Maturation phase
What happens in the Golgi phase
Enzymes of Golgi apparatus forms acrosomal vesicle
What happens in the Cap phase
Acrosome caps nucleus
Centrioles migrate to opposite pole
Axoneme forms
Spermatid rotate so that acrosome point towards seminiferous tubule
What happens in the Acrosomal phase
Acrosome increase coverage
Axoneme develops into flagella & mitochondria migrate
Manchetta forms
Nucleus condenses
What happens in the Maturation phase
Shedding of cytoplasm & Sertoli cells phagocytose
Manchetta dissembles
Spermatozoa forms
What process does spermatozoa undergo to become motile & fully functional
Capacitation
What is the 2 processes in capacitation
- Gaining motility: mix w/ secretion of seminal glands
- Become capable of fertilization: exposed to female reproductive tract
How does Leydig cells look like
Large polygonal cells near capillaries w/ granular eosinophilic cytoplasm filled with/ cholesterol & enzymes
What is the function of Leydig cells
Testosterone production
What is the 4 excretory ductules
- Seminal vesicle
- Efferent ductules
- Epididymis
- Vas deference
What is the epithelium of the rete testis
Low cuboidal w/ single cilium to move spermatozoa
What is the epithelium of the efferent ductules
Mixed low cuboidal epithelium w/ microvili for absorption of substance to concentrate
Tall ciliated columnar epithelium for movement
What is the epithelium of the epididymis
Tall pseudostratified columnar epithelium w/ giant microvili & circular smooth muscle layer
What is the function of basal cells in epididymis
Regenerative
What is the function of apical cells in epididymis
Contains lymphocytes
Does the epididymis require something for function
Yes, testosterone
What is the 3 functions of the epididymis
- Secretory: selected amino acids, sialic acid, glycoproteins
- Peristaltic movements
- Maturation
What is the epithelium of the vascular deference
Stereociliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium w/ 3 smooth muscle layers
What is the 3 accessory glands
- Prostate
- Seminal vesicle
- Bulbourethral gland
What structures pierces the prostate
Urethra & ejaculatory duct
What type of gland is the prostate
Compound tubuloacinar gland
What is the epithelium of the seminal vesicle
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium w/ short basal cells & low columnar cells w/ inner circular & outer longitudinal smooth muscle
What type of glands are the bulbourethral gland
Compound tubuloacinar glands
What is the epithelium of the bulbourethral glands
Simple secretory/simple cuboidal/simple columnar epithelium
What is the 3 secretions of the seminal vesicle & functions
Fructose: energy
Prostaglandin: stimulates tubular muscular contraction
Fibrinogen: coagulation of semen
What is the 2 secretions of the prostate & functions
Proteolytic enzymes
Prostatic specific acid phosphatase, PSA & fibrinolysin
Liquefying coagulated semen after depositing
What is the 2 secretions of the bulbourethral glands & functions
Galactose
Sialic acid
Lubricating function
What is appearance of inactive prostatic gland
Big lumen & low cuboidal epithelium
What is appearance of active prostatic gland
Folded lumen & tall columnar epithelium
What arteries are in the coropora cavernosa
Deep & spiral arteries
How does an erection occur
Neurovascular event via sensation of glans penis w/ smooth muscle cell relaxation & blood flows into vascular space & cavernosa distend compressing veins & blood can’t drain resulting in local engorgement & erection
What is the role of the automatic system in erection
Penile response
What is the role of the somatic system in erection
Ejaculation response
What is the role of the parasympathetic system in erection
Acts via sacral spinal cord]release NO/VIP & ACh that cause dilation of spiral arteries
What is the role of the sympathetic system in erection
Acts via lumbar spine & decrease noradrenaline loss of sympathetic tone & no erection
How does somatic system cause an ejaculation response
Motor branch of pudendal nerve secretes non‐cholinergic transmitters & NO
Striated muscle (bulbospongiousus increases engorgment) & smooth muscle around tract cause contractions results in ejaculation
What is the role of afferent innervation in erection
Via dorsal nerve main tactile sensory input
What is the physiology of erectile response & what system is involved
Flaccid to harden penis due to engorgement of erectile tissue
Parasympathetic induce vasodilation of penile arterioles
What is the physiology of lubircation & what system is involved
Secretion of mucus from bulbourethral & urethral glands
Parasympathetically induced increased secretion of mucus
What is the physiology of emission & what system is involved
Emptying of sperm & accessory gland secretion into urethra
Sympathetically induced contraction of walls of ducts & accessory glands
What is the physiology of ejaculation response & what system is involved
Forceful expulsion of semen from penis
Somatic induced contraction of skeletal muscle at base of penis
What is the 5 things Sertoli cells secrete
- Express testosterone & FSH receptors
- Produce & secrete ABP into lumen of tubules to concentrate local testosterone
- Produce & secrete antimullerian hormone during embryogenesis to suppress formation of Müllerian duct
- Produce & secrete inhibin that inhibit the release of FSH by anterior pituitary
- Produce & secrete activin that facilitate release of FSH by anterior pituitary
What are 7 causes of infertility
- Cryptorchidism (undescended testis, only Sertoli cells present)
- Congenital & acquired ductal obstruction in reproductive tract
- Immotile cilia (Kartagener’s syndrome)
- Sertoli cell only syndrome (no germ cells)
- Klinefelter’s syndrome (46XXY low testosterone + high oestradiol)
- Vasectomy
- Chemotherapy (transient infertility as affect meiotic & mitotic spermatogenic cells not Sertoli)
