Maimone-Male Reproductive Histology I & II

Question 1

What is the exocrine function of the testis?

What is their endocrine function?

Answer 1

Exocrine function is to produce spermatozoa

Endocrine function is to produce steroid hormones (testosterone)

Question 2

What cells produce testosterone?

Answer 2

Leydig Cells

Question 3

In what structure are spermatzoa produced in the testes?

Answer 3

Seminiferous tubules

Question 4

What type of epithelium lines seminiferous tubules?

Answer 4

stratified germinal epithelium

Question 5

Vessels and ducts pass through what structure as they enter and leave the testis?

Answer 5

Mediastinum testis

Question 6

What structure in the male reproductive system consists of a serous sac that adheres to the testes?

Answer 6

Tunica Vaginalis

Question 7

What is the name of the thick capsule of dense irregular connective tissue that covers the testes?

Answer 7

Tunica Albuginea

Question 8

What is the process of spermatozoa called?

Answer 8

Spermatogenesis - occurs in seminiferous tubules

Question 9

What is the structure called that allow daughter cells to remain attached to each other?

Answer 9

Cytoplasmic bridges…allows coordination of spermatogenesis between cells because of communication via bridges

Question 10

What type of spermatocyte have the largest nuclei with thick strands of chromatin?

Answer 10

Primary spermatocyte….prophase takes about 22 days so most primary spermatocytes observed in histological section sections will be in this phase

Question 11

What is the process called by which spermatids are released by sertoli cells and from each other into the lumen as spermatozoa?

Answer 11

Spermiation

Question 12

The process of development of early spermatids to mature sperm is called what?

Answer 12

Spermiogenesis

Question 13

The tissue in between seminiferous tubules is called what?

Answer 13

Interstitial tissue

Question 14

What cells are steroid secreting cells that become apparent during puberty and produce >95% of testosterone in males

Answer 14

Leydig cells

<5% testosterone is produced by adrenal glands

Question 15

Leydig cells are stimulated to produce testosterone by what?

Answer 15

LH released from anterior pituitary

Question 16

What cell secretes androgen binding protein (ABP)?

Answer 16

Sertoli Cells

ABP concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubules

Question 17

What two hormones act together on Sertoli cells to stimulate spermatogenesis?

Answer 17

Testosterone and FSH

Question 18

What hormone secreted by sertoli cells provide inhibitory feedback control of anterior pituitary release of FSH?

Answer 18

Inhibin

Question 19

Where does testosterone provide inhibitory feedback control?

Answer 19

Inhibits the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus and inhibits release of LH from pituitary

Question 20

What is cryptochidism?

Answer 20

Failure of one or both testes to descend into scrotum. Most common genital problem in pediatrics.
Untreated individuals may become sterile and have increased risk of testicular cancer.
NO EFFECT on Leydig cells, they operate normally at elevated temp therefore normal secondary sex characteristics observed.

Question 21

What is the difference between spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis?

Answer 21

Spermiogenesis is the final stage of spermatogenesis, which sees the maturation of spermatids into mature, motile spermatozoa

Question 22

What is spermatogenesism, what are the steps

Answer 22

The formation of haploid spermatozoa (sperm) from undifferentiated diploid germ cells called spermatogonium…takes about 64 days
Spermatogonium –> primary spermatocyte –> secondary spermatocyte –> spermatid –> mature spermatozoa (mature sperm cell).

Question 23

The conversion of spermatids to spermatozoa is called what?

Answer 23

Spermiogenesis