Maimone-Male Reproductive Histology I & II Flashcards
What is the exocrine function of the testis?
What is their endocrine function?
Exocrine function is to produce spermatozoa
Endocrine function is to produce steroid hormones (testosterone)
What cells produce testosterone?
Leydig Cells
In what structure are spermatzoa produced in the testes?
Seminiferous tubules
What type of epithelium lines seminiferous tubules?
stratified germinal epithelium
Vessels and ducts pass through what structure as they enter and leave the testis?
Mediastinum testis
What structure in the male reproductive system consists of a serous sac that adheres to the testes?
Tunica Vaginalis
What is the name of the thick capsule of dense irregular connective tissue that covers the testes?
Tunica Albuginea
What is the process of spermatozoa called?
Spermatogenesis - occurs in seminiferous tubules
What is the structure called that allow daughter cells to remain attached to each other?
Cytoplasmic bridges…allows coordination of spermatogenesis between cells because of communication via bridges
What type of spermatocyte have the largest nuclei with thick strands of chromatin?
Primary spermatocyte….prophase takes about 22 days so most primary spermatocytes observed in histological section sections will be in this phase
What is the process called by which spermatids are released by sertoli cells and from each other into the lumen as spermatozoa?
Spermiation
The process of development of early spermatids to mature sperm is called what?
Spermiogenesis
The tissue in between seminiferous tubules is called what?
Interstitial tissue
What cells are steroid secreting cells that become apparent during puberty and produce >95% of testosterone in males
Leydig cells
<5% testosterone is produced by adrenal glands
Leydig cells are stimulated to produce testosterone by what?
LH released from anterior pituitary
What cell secretes androgen binding protein (ABP)?
Sertoli Cells
ABP concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubules
What two hormones act together on Sertoli cells to stimulate spermatogenesis?
Testosterone and FSH
What hormone secreted by sertoli cells provide inhibitory feedback control of anterior pituitary release of FSH?
Inhibin
Where does testosterone provide inhibitory feedback control?
Inhibits the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus and inhibits release of LH from pituitary
What is cryptochidism?
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.
What is the difference between spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis?
Spermiogenesis is the final stage of spermatogenesis, which sees the maturation of spermatids into mature, motile spermatozoa
What is spermatogenesism, what are the steps
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).
The conversion of spermatids to spermatozoa is called what?
Spermiogenesis
