L33. Male Reproductive 1 Flashcards
What are the 4 components in a male reproductive organ?
- testes
- genital ducts
- accessory genital glands
- penis
Name the endocine and exocrine functions of the testes
exocrine: spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules
endocrine: testosterone (Leydig cells)
Are the accessory genital glands endocrine or exocrine
exocrine
What is the dual function of the penis
- urinary conduct
2. semen release
Describe the histology of the testis
- dense connective tissues of the capsule and septa
a. capsule is thick/white/collaganous
b. septae divides testicular tissues into lobules - lobules contains loose connective tissue and semniferous tubules
a. loose connective tissue: contains Leydig cells (secrete testosterone)
b. semniferous tubules - lined by supportive simple columnar Sertoli cells AND germ cells embedded in epithelium
Draw the structure of the testes. Include
Vas deferens,epididymis, Rete Testis, Tunica albuginea, seminiferous tubules, testicular lobules and septum
pg 3a. L 33.
What is the tunica albuginea
It is the dense connective tissue that forms the capsule in the testes
What is a Leydig cell island
consists of a cluster of steriodogenic cells and embedded in highly VASCULARIZED loose CT
What stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone
Leutinizing hormones
Draw how testosterone is eventually secreted by Leydig cells due to LH.
pg 4a L 33
How do LH stimulate Leydig cells
- LH binds to the receptors on the LEydig cells
- stimulates a G-protein coupled cAMP cascade
- cAMP (messanger) activates protein kinase which activates cholesterol esterases which cleaves free cholesterol
- free cholesterol enters the mitochondria where there is a lipid transfer protein ( binds to pregnenolone) that carries the lipid to the SER
- SER makes the steroid which leaves the cell to the loose CT
- testosterone gets picked up by fenestrated capillaries and nearby Sertoli cells
What does steriodogenesis require
cholesterol/lipid based transport between the mitochondria and SER
What are the 3 developing germ cells ( name locations)
- spermatogonia (basal)
- spermatocyte (ad luminal)
- spermatotid (luminal)
Where does male germ cell development occur
basal to luminal across seminiferous epithelium
What cells are the developing germ cells in contact with?
Sertoli cells via cell-cell junctions