Lecture 7: Male Reproductive Histology Flashcards
Identify A-D
A) Tunica Albuginea
B) Epididymis
C) Rete Testis
D) Septa
The Rete Testis are channels formed within?
The CT of the mediastinum
Identify A-E
A) Leydig Cells
B) Sertoli Cells
C) Spermatogonia
D) Primary Spermatocytes
E) Spermatids
How do we identify Leydig Cells histologically?
- Contain lipid droplets (for steroid synthesis), mitochondria w/ tubular cristae, and a well-developed sER
- Close to blood vessesl and lymphatic channels
- Present in the intertubular space
The seminiferous epithelium houses which 4 structural types of nuclei; describe the characterisitcs of each?
1) Nuclei of Spermatogonia and Sertoli Cells –> close to tubular wall
2) Spermatogonia cell (primary spermatocytes): larger nuclei and clumps of chromatin
3) Early spermatids —> round, light nuclei
4) Late spermatids –> cylindrical-shaped, condensed nuclei
What is the function of Sertoli Cells?
- Support, protect, and nourish developing spermatogenic cells
- Eliminate residual bodies via phagocytosis (discared by spermatids during spermiogenesis)
- Release of mature spermatids into lumen of tubule, spermiation
What are the characterisitcs to identify the Sertoli Cells histologically?
Oval or pyramidal nuclei (potato shaped; light staining)
Identify A and B
A) Sertoli Cells
B) Peritubular Myoid Cells
At the basolateral domain of the Seminferous Epithelium, what do Sertoli cells have that is special to the testes?
- Tight junctions creating basal and adluminal compartment
- Special to the testes: typically an apical specialization
What is the function of the tight junctions in the Adluminal compartment of the Seminiferous Epithelium?
Establish the blood-testes barrier
Identify the structure labeled by A
Leydig (interstital) cells
Where are the diploid spermatogenic cells found?
- Reside in a niche of basal compartment of Sertoli cells
- Located outside the blood-testes barrier
What process do primary spermatocytes undergo and what is the product?
Undergo 1st meiotic division (reductional division) (4C) –> two secondary spermatocytes (2C)
What process do secondary spermatocytes undergo and what are the products?
- Undergo 2nd meiotic division (equational division) (2C) –> two spermatids (1C)
- Spermatids mature w/o further division
What is the ploidy of spermatids and what do they intiate?
- Spermatids are haploid
- Initiate spermiogenesis
Where are the round (early) spermatids housed vs. the elongated (late) spermatids?
Round (early): house in niches in cytoplasm of Sertoli Cells
Elongated (late): housed in crypts, deep invaginations in Sertoli apical cytoplasm
What are the 3 subdivisions of the tail of the sperm and characteristics of each?
Middle piece: helically arranged mitochondrial sheathe, Axoneme, 9 longitudinal columns, outer dense fibers, surrounding axoneme
Principal piece: is the longest segment of the tail, consists of the central axoneme surrounded by a fibrous sheath, which provides scaffold during sliding/bending of tail during forward motility
End piece: very short, only contains the axoneme
What is the sperm maturation pathway for mature spermatids (immature sperm)?
Straight tubules —> Rete Testis —> Efferent ductules —> Epididymal duct
What is A pointing to and what structure is this?
A) Columnar Sertoli Cells, which are transitioning into Cuboidal Sertoli Cells
- This is a Straight Tubule (Tubulus rectus)
What structure is this?
Rete Testis
Each Efferent Ductule is lined with what 3 cell types?
1) Columnar cells w/ microvilli/sterocilia (Principle Cells)
2) Ciliated Cells
3) Basal cells
*Also a thin inner circular layer of smooth muscle underlies epithelium and basal lamina
Identify A and B
A) Efferent Ductule
B) Smooth muscle
Histologically where is Androgen Binding Protein found?
Rete Testis
The epididymis is lined with what?
Pseudostratified columnar w/ long and branched **stereocilia**
1) Principal cells: columnar cells
2) Basal cells
What structure is this?
The Epididymis
What strucutre is this and what are the arrows pointing to?
The Epididymis
*Arrows pointing to pseudostratified columnar epithelium w/ stereocilia
The Vas Deferns is lined with; the muscular wall consists of?
- Lined with pseudostratified columnar w/ sterocilia/stereovilli
Muscular Wall:
- Inner and outer longitudinal layers
- Middle Circular layer
What strucutre is this?
Vas Deferens/Ductus Deferens
What structure is this?
Seminal Vesicle
What is the mucosa of the Seminal Vesicle like histologically?
Highly folded mucosa lines by simple cuboidal-to-pseudostratified columnar epithelium
What structure is this?
Seminal Vesicle
What are these images of?
The prostate gland
The lumen of the prostate gland contains what?
Corpora amylacea; rich in glycoproteins and Ca2+ deposits
What is this image of?
Erectile tissue
Vascular sinuses of erectile tissue are supplied by which arteries?
Helicine arteries
Label the structures A-D
A) Tunica Albuginea
B) Corpora Cavernosa
C) Urethra
D) Corpus Spongiosum
