Lecture 18: Male Reproductive Organs Flashcards
What are testes?
paired oval glands found in the Scrotum
Where are testes forced?
formed in abdomen in fetus and in humans, the testes move to the scrotum from the pelvis during the last month of pregnancy or shortly after birth - low temp so sperm can survive
What is Cryptorchidism?
When testes don’t descend
Cryotirchid individuals are Infertile and are at risk of Testicular cancer
What is the progression of sperm?
- Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules then move –>
- into the Rete Testis, (an area where all seminiferous tubules join -single duct and collecting system –> after tube)–>
- into the epididymis single tube –>
- Vas deferens –>
- which then joins to the ejaculatory duct
What ability to sperm acquire when they’re in the epididymis?
Sperm acquire the ability to be Motile and Fertilise while in the Epididymis
- when first in epididymis, sperm ARENT capable of swimming, more can they fertilise an egg (cannot use IVF)
- aquiring these abilities takes 10-14 days (motility + fertilisation)
What second activity occurs in the epididymis?
Epididymiss also reabsorbs liquid from around sperm, make it More Concentrated
-dont swim, Pushed in fluid, Want in a smaller voume
What is the reason for sperm to move into the Vas deferens?
Sperm move from the epidiyis –> vas deferens, where sperm may be stored for several months –> ejaculation - leak out
What is the shape and size of the Vas deferens?
Vas Deferens =about a 45cm long convoluted tube
Runs form the epididymis, to p and around the bladder, then back down to join the ejaculatory duct (behind bladder)– lower pelvis
What is the shape and size of the urethra?
Urethra is about 20cm long
rune from the bladder, through the prostate –> to the end of the penis
What is the shape and size of the ampulla?
Widening of the Vas Deferens, near the ejaculating duct
is the Large site of Sperm Storage
What are the two main male accessaory glands?
Seminal Vesicle
Prostate
What are seminal vesicles?
accessory glands
are the secretory lgnads (NOT storage areas) that secrete a mucoid (sticky) substance
What are the four things the mucoid (sticky) substance secreted by seminal vesicles contain?
Alkaline
Fructose
Prostaglandins
Clotting Proteins
What is a feature of the Alkaline in the Mucoid (sticky) fluid that is secreted by the seminal vesicles?
Alkaline
High pH to neutralise acidity of the female reproductive tract (pH 4.5)
-need to buffer environment sperm are in?
What does the Alkaline feature of the Mucoid (sticky) fluid that is secreted by the seminal vesicles add?
buffer environment sperm will be in
What is the pH of the female reproductive tract?
pH = 4.5
Acidic
What does the Fructose in the Mucoid (sticky) fluid that is secreted by the seminal vesicles add?
energy source for sperm
What does the Prostaglandins in the Mucoid (sticky) fluid that is secreted by the seminal vesicles add?
lipid hormones
which may include smooth muscle contractions in the female reproductive tract to help sperm move up
What does the Clotting Proteins in the Mucoid (sticky) fluid that is secreted by the seminal vesicles add?
similar to blood clotting proteins
when semen ejaculates, component of semen mix together and clot –> forms a Coagulant, sticks sperm to vagina, won’t be flushed out by mass flow.
With prostate fluid, forms coagulant which retains sperm in the female tract
Where do the contents of the seminal vesicle empty into?
The contents of seminal vesicles empty into ejaculatory duct directly after sperm are ejected by Vas Deferens (last fluid secretion), Washed sperm down it , joins urthra at prostate
What is the Prostate?
A doughnut shaped organ about the size of a golfball
What is the relationship between the urethra and the prostate?
The urethra passes through the prostate, which secretes prostatic fluid into the urethra Ahead of sperm during ejaculation
- urethra passed through a hole in the prostate
- so you have 1. prostatic fluid 2. sperm 3. seminal vesicle fluid
What is the order of fluid in ejaculate?
- Prostatic Fluid
- Sperm
- Seminal Vesicle Fluid
Which fluid does the prostate secrete?
Prostatic fluid
What is the pH of prostatic fluid?
pH = 6.5 (slightly acidic)
Acts as a buffer and neutralised by alkaline seminal vesicle fluid to some extent in semen
What does the Buffering capability/feature of Prostatic fluid that is secreted by the prostate prostate add?
Seminal vesicle fluid(alkaline) and prostatic fluid (acidic)
raises pH of vagina where the sperm needs to swim
What are the 4x main features of Prostatic fluid?
Slightly Acidic (pH 6.5)
Citrate
Milky colour
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
What does the Citrate feature of Prostatic fluid that is secreted by the prostate prostate add?
Citrate for ATP
acts as an energy source as can feed into the Kreb Cycle
What does the Milky colour feature of Prostatic fluid that is secreted by the prostate prostate add?
Milky colour of prostatic fluid as it has Calcium and Phosphate
-NOT very soluble
What does the PSA Prostate Specific Antigen feature of Prostatic fluid that is secreted by the prostate prostate add?
PSA is an enzyme which breaks down Coagulum and other Proteases, Releasing Sperm so that they Can Swim
Without PSA sperm will be Trapped, so it releases sperm so they can swim
What happens if there is No Prostate Specific Antigen (SPA) in Prostatic Fluid (which is secreted by the prostate)?
Sperm are trapped
by coagulum and other proteases
What causes Sperm to be trapped?
semenCoagulum and other Proteases
Lack of Prostate Specific Antigen
What is Ejaculated Fluid?
Semen
What is Semen/Ejaculate composed of?
Sperm (10%)
Seminal Vesicle Fluid (60%)
Prostatic Fluid (30%)
Other Secretions (small amount)
What proportion of semen/ejaculated is take up by sperm?
10%
What proportion of semen/ejaculated is take up by Seminal Vesicle Fluid?
60%
What proportion of semen/ejaculated is take up by Prostatic Fluid?
30%
What proportion of semen/ejaculated is take up by Other Secretions?
small amount
What is the pH of Semen?
pH 7.5
What is the pH of Ejaculate?
pH 7.5
What is the need reason for the pH of semen/ejaculated being 7.5?
Buffers against vagina’s acidic pH
Psotatic and seminal fluids neutralising each other
What is the volume of semen between species?
Semen varies greatly in volume between species
volume of 2-5 ml, vs bear is 500mls
What is the Content of semen between species?
Semen varies greatly in contact between species
normal human’s ejaculate is 20 million sperm/ml
What is the average amount of sperm per mL for an average human male?
20 million sperm mL-1
How many main structures compose the Penis?
Penis has 3x main structures
What are the 3x main structures of the penis?
- Corpora cavernosa (2x)
- Corpus spongiosum
- Penile Urethra
What is the Function of the Corpora Cavernosa (2x) as one of the three main structures in the penis?
Corpora Cavernosa (2x) is the main erectile tissue
What is the function of the Corpus Spongiosum as one of the three main structures in the penis?
Corpus Spongiosum surrounds the penile urethra and prevent occlusion during ejection
What is the function os the Penile Urethra as one of the three main structures in the penis?
Penile Urethra conducts the semen (and urine)
When does erection occur?
Erection occurs following sexual stimulation
What happens during ejection?
No bones in penis - hyhydraclic forces
Release of NO (endothelial cells of BV) and Prostaglandin E1 (all cells but RBS) cases smooth muscle of the corpus cavernous to RELAX (easy for flow of blood)
Penis enlarges and expands outwards and inwards
The engorgement of the corpora Reduces Venous outflow, adding to the engorgement - surrounding veins closed down
Do penises have bones?
no
What structure DONT penises have?
bones
instead have hydraclic
What happens to the Corpus Cavernosa (main erectile tissue) during an erection?
Relaxes
What opens and closes in the penis?
Penile urethra CLOSES
but the Corpus spongiosum also expands (blood) allowing urethra to remain open though penis is engorged
What happens to blood flow in a penis during an erection?
Blood fills the cavernous spaces of the corpora cavernous (as this erectile tissue is relaxed)
- erect penis has 8x BV of a flaccid penis?
What is the BV ratio between an erect and flaccid penis?
Erect: Flaccid
8x more BV : 1
What is another name for Viagra?
sildenafil citrate for impotency (ED) –> decrease NO
What does Viagra do?
Relaxation of the smooth muscle in the Corpora Cavernosa requires Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP)
-2nd messenger reduces intracelular calcium
-increase cGMP, increase Relaxation
The enzyme Phosphodiesterase breaks down GMP
Viagra inhibits phosphodiesterase (types isotoon) leading to increased intercellular GMP, relaxation of the arteries and blood structures supplying the corpora cavern and erection