Male infertility

Question 1

what hormones do the testes secrete and how effect do they have on the internal genitalia?

Answer 1

testosterone and mullerian inhibiting factor

mullerian ducts degenrate and wolffian ducts form vas defrens

Question 2

what is the name of the condition where the testis devlop but do not descend?

Answer 2

Androgen insensitivity syndrome

Question 3

where are sperm and testosterone produced?

Answer 3

seminiferous tubules

Leydig cells

Question 4

what are the roles of LH anf FSH in males?

Answer 4

•Glycoproteins secreted by anterior pituitary

–Luteinizing hormone (LH)

•Acts on Leydig cells - regulates testosterone secretion

–Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

• Acts on Sertoli cells to enhance spermatogenesis
• Regulated by negative feedback from inhibin

Question 5

what are the effects of inhibin and activin?

from where are they secreted?

Answer 5

•Feedback on FSH (inhibin inhibits and activin stimulates)

sertoli cells

Question 6

list the accessory tissues and their functions

Answer 6

Epididymis & vas deferens

Exit route from testes to urethra, concentrate & store sperm, site for sperm maturation

Seminal vesicles

Produce semen into ejaculatory duct, supply fructose, secrete prostaglandins (stimulates motility), secrete fibrinogen (clot precursor)

Prostate Gland

Produces alkaline fluid (neutralizes vaginal acidity), produces clotting enzymes to clot semen within female

Bulbourethral Glands

Secrete mucus to act as lubricant

Question 7

what is the aetiology of male infertility?

Answer 7

• Low sperm count or quality: usually idiopathic
• Obstruction to vas deferens: congenital absence (cystic fibrosis), infection, vasectomy
• Non-obstructive (testicular failure): genetic (klienfelters syndrome), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, undescended testes, idiopathic
• Endocrine causes: acromegaly, cushings disease, hyperprolactinaemia anorexia, hyper or hypothyriodism
• Erectile difficulties: diabetes, spinal cord injury, psychosexual

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