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Physiology Supplemental Cards > Male Physiology > Flashcards

Male Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

what is the male reproductive system composed of?

A

penis and testes

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2
Q

describe the general functions of the penis and testes

A
  • penis: delivers sperm cell containing semen
  • testes: produce and store sperm cells against future expenditure
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3
Q

what is the function of the “plumbing” between the testes and penis?

A
  1. transport of sperm
  2. development of the seminal volume
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4
Q

describe the size of a sperm cell and the distance it must travel to reach an ovum

A
  • sperm cells are about 25um in length and must travel around 20cm to fertilize an ovum
  • this is about 10,000x its length
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5
Q

describe the general structure of the sperm cell

A
  • haploid flagellated cell with a head and a tail
  • head delivers genetic material
  • tail is used for locomotion
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6
Q

describe the head of the sperm cell

A
  • contains genetic information and the acrosome
    • acrosome is a vesicle full of enzymes which can break down the outer layer of the ovum
      • this is called the acrosome reaction
    • this allows fusion of the sperm with the ovum membrane and deposition of the haploid genetic material
  • centrioles are formed from a complex of microtubules
    • delivered to the ovum along with the genetic material and form a centrosome
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7
Q

describe the tail of the sperm cell

A
  • the axoneme is the cytoskeletal component of the sperm flagella, which is formed from the microtubules
    • motor proteins allow locomotion; max velocity is about 1-4mm/min
  • lots of mitochondria near the axoneme
  • cell membrane contains chemotactic sensors to give it direction (called gradient sensing)
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8
Q

Spermatogenesis begins at around 13 years of age, under the influence of ___ (e.g. Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone), and continues throughout most of remaining life.

A

anterior pituitary gonadotropins

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9
Q

what are seminiferous tubules?

A
  • vessels in the testes where spermatogenesis occurs
  • lined with spermatogonia layered 2-3 cells deep
  • spermatogonia proliferate as cells undergo meiosis, and differentiate into haploid sperm
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10
Q

what are sertoli cells?

A
  • cells that surround the spermatogonia
  • supply nutrients to developing sperm
  • translocate the differentiating sperm cells and form the blood-testes barrier (aka sertoli cell barrier)
  • this is important because sperm cause an auto-immune reaction when exposed to blood
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11
Q

what are leydig cells?

A
  • produce testosterone in response to LH
  • initiate puberty and spermatogenesis
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12
Q

describe how spermatogenesis differs from oogenesis

A
  • spermatogenesis results in 4 haploid sperm per spermatogonia instead of 1 oocyte and 3 polar bodies
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13
Q

spermatogenesis takes about ___ days from start to finish, but there is always a continuous supply.

A

64

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14
Q

describe the points of spermatogenesis at which cells are diploid or haploid

A
  1. spermatogonia - diploid
  2. primary speratocyte - diploid
  3. (2) secondary spermatocytes - haploid
  4. (4) spermatids - haploid
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15
Q

are there male and female sperm?

A

yes

think about X and Y chromosomes

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16
Q

when is the tail of the sperm added?

A
  • after the sperm cells decouple from the sertoli cell and enter into the seminiferous tubule
  • at this point, it is NOT motile
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17
Q

describe hormonal control of spermatogenesis

A
18
Q

once the developed sperm is deposited into the seminiferous tubule, it begins a transit through to the ___, by way of the ___ and ___

A
  • epididymis
  • tubulus rectus
  • rete testis
19
Q

what is the tubulus rectus?

A

connection of seminiferous tubule with the rete testis

20
Q

what is the rete testis?

A

tubule which delivers maturing sperm to the epididymis and serves to reabsorb some tubular fluid, concentrating the sperm

21
Q

the transit of sperm from the seminiferous tubule to the epididymis takes a few ___, and once they reside in the epididymis for about a day, they are capable of ___, but are still inhibited by factors in the fluid

A
  • days
  • motility
22
Q

from the epididymis, the sperm are then passed to the ___ to await deployment

A
  • vas deferens, aka ductus deferens
23
Q

what is the net output of 2 human testicles?

A

120 million mature sperm per day

24
Q

how long can sperm be stored?

A
  • at least one month
  • maintain functionality
25
Q

describe a vasectomy

A

the vas deferens is obstructed, preventing transit

26
Q

why are testes located in the scrotum?

A

spermatogenesis is more efficient at lower temperatures, thus they are better stored at just below body temperature in the scrotum

27
Q

describe ejaculation

A
  • peristaltic movements convey the sperm from the epididymis towards teh 2 seminal vesicles (first of 3 structures that contribute to the seminal volume)
  • the seminal vesicles eject their contents into the ejaculatory duct to mix with the sperm
  • mixed ejaculate passes through the prostate gland via internal urethra
28
Q

describe the seminal vesicles

A
  • tubes lined with secretory epithelium
  • contribute about 60-70% of volume
  • secrete a mucus that contains:
    • fructose: fuel for sperm motility
    • prostaglandins: thin cervical mucus, allowing sperm ingress, and possibly causing reverse peristaltic contractions propelling sperm inwards
    • fibrinogen: this can be cleaved to form a clot later on
29
Q

describe the role of the prostate gland in ejaculation

A
  • adds a thin fluid to the ejaculate containing the following:
    • clotting enzymes: causes semen to clot slightly, keeping it in place
    • pro-fibrinolysin: can breakdown the clot semen forms
    • various alkaloids: sperm do better at a more neutral pH; optimal pH is around 6.5
  • in total, the prostate contributes around 25-30% of volume
30
Q

describe the bulbourethral glands

A
  • aka cowper’s glands
  • pair of small glands located near the origin of the urethra, just under the prostate gland
  • they produce mucous like secretion that forms the pre-ejaculate which has a lubricating function
  • at this point, the process is termed emission
  • they can contain sperm from prior ejaculation
  • can also transmit infectious agents in the pre-ejaculate
  • contribute about 1% of volume
31
Q

T or F:

bulbourethral glands are the sole suppliers of lubrication for the urethra prior to ejaculation

A

false

while they are the most distinct glands, there are actually many smaller mucosal glands along the length of the urethra that contribute very small amounts of mucus

32
Q

what is semen?

A
  • contains the sperm and all of the secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands (and other small mucous glands of the urethra)
  • also contains:
    • fuel
    • alkaloids to regulate pH
    • clotting factors
    • clot removal factors
  • pH of around 7.5
33
Q

what gives semen a milky appearance?

A

fluid from the prostate gland

34
Q

semen forms a weak clot around the cervix, which gradually degrades after about ___

A

20 minutes

35
Q

sperm can survive in utero for around ___

A

2-3 days

36
Q

describe sperm capacitation

A
  • semen contains mobility inhibiting factors to keep sperm in stasis
  • upon entry into the vagina, these are effectively washed away, capacitating the sperm; they become fully motile
  • the cell membrane around the acrosome weakens, allowing easier rupture
  • calcium permeability increases, causing a much more vigorous motion in the flagella
37
Q

describe erection

A
  • controlled by parasympathetic innervation
  • nerves pass from the sacral spine and reach the penis via pelvic nerves
  • autonomic in response to complex physiological and psychological factors
38
Q

pre-ejactulate is released in response to ___

A

parasympathetic nerves

39
Q

what causes vasodilation of the vessels in the penis?

A
  • ACh, nitric oxide, and other vasoactive transmitters
  • this causes the erectile tissue in the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to quickly fill with arterial blood
  • these sinuses are lined with dense fibrous coats, allowing them to expand without rupture
40
Q

contraction of the vans deferens is a result of ___

A
  • sympathetic impulses from reflex centers in the spine (leaving at T12-L2)
  • sperm moves towards the seminal vesicles
41
Q

ejaculation results from the rhythmic contraction of which two muscles?

A

ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus

Physiology Supplemental Cards (3 decks)

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