Lecture 2

Question 1

Question 2

Testes

Answer 2

Oval in shape and are suspended
inside a sac (scrotum) by the spermatic cord

Question 3

The spermatic cords

Answer 3

1. vas (ductus) deferens
2. arteries
3. veins
4. lymphatics
5. nerves
   All are bound together by connective tissue.

Question 4

Testes
exocrine and endocrine

Answer 4

Produces:
• sperm (exocrine function) – seminiferous tubules
• testosterone (endocrine function) – interstitial cells

Question 5

tunica albuginea.

Answer 5

Tough, white, fibrous tissue that encapsulates each testis

Question 6

Seminiferous tubules

Answer 6

• The interior of the testis is divided into 250 lobules (small lobes).
• Each lobule contains 1 to 4 highly coiled, convoluted tubules
  = seminiferous tubules
• Interstitial cells are found in the connective tissue surrounding the
  seminiferous tubules
• The tubules (seminiferous) unite to form a complex network of
  channels called the rete testis.

Question 7

The __________ are involved in sperm cell production - _______

Answer 7

seminiferous tubules
spermatogenesis

Question 8

Spermatogenesis involves 5 stages:

Answer 8

1. Spermatogonia – mitosis
2. Primary spermatocyte - meiosis I
3. Secondary spermatocyte - meiosis II
4. Spermatid - maturation of sperm
5. Sperm cell

Question 9

Question 10

Sperm production begins at ______ and continues _______

Answer 10

puberty
throughout life

Question 11

The entire development process from spermatogonium division until sperm release—

Answer 11

takes about 64 days.

Question 12

The staggering of developmental stages allows sperm production to remain nearly constant at a rate of

Answer 12

200 million sperm per day.

Question 13

Once sperm form they

Answer 13

move into the epididymis for maturation and storage

Question 14

Stored in epididymis for

Answer 14

12 days and later destroyed by macrophages

Question 15

Spermiogenesis

Answer 15

The spermatids produced are interconnected
• To produces separate mature spermatozoa requires the
participation of the Sertoli cells
• This process is called spermiogenesis
• Sertoli cells secrete factors that regulate spermatogenesis and
spermiogenesis
• Spermatids remain embedded in the apical membrane of Sertoli
cells while they complete the transformation into sperm cells

Question 16

Question 17

Functions of Sertoli Cells

Answer 17

Supportive: nutrients, waste materials from spermiogenesis to blood and lymp

Phagocytotic: residual bodies shed by spermatids, effete cellular material

Secretory: 8th week – Mullerian inhibitory substance: suppress further development of duct.

Prepubertal: prevent meiotic division of germinal epithelial cells

Sexual maturation: Androgen binding protein (FSH dependent) – high testosterone levels in sem tubes

Protective: Blood-testis barrier- Occluding junctions

Question 18

Sperm in epididymis

Answer 18

Sperm stored as non-motile within lumen of seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens
• Movespassivelyintesticularfluidtoepididymis
• After 12 days in 7 m tubes of epididymis sperm mature
biochemically = capacitation
• In cauda epididymis the sperm are capable of fertilizing the egg

Question 19

Sperm pathway

Answer 19

Question 20

Functions of Testosterone

Answer 20

• Spermatogenesis
• Growth and maintenance of reproductive system
  • Penis
  • Prostate
  • Seminal vesicles
  • Burbo-urethral glands
  • Testes
• Secondary sexual characteristics
  • Posture
  • Hair growth and distribution
  • Growth
  • Acne
  • Vocal cords
• Sexual behavior
• Feedback with Hypothalamus

Question 21

What cell type is number 7, and what is their function?

Answer 21

• Leydig cells
• are the primary source of testosterone

Question 22

Control of the Testicular function

Answer 22