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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

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
describe a vasectomy
the vas deferens is obstructed, preventing transit
26
why are testes located in the scrotum?
spermatogenesis is more efficient at lower temperatures, thus they are better stored at just below body temperature in the scrotum
27
describe ejaculation
* 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
describe the seminal vesicles
* 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
describe the role of the prostate gland in ejaculation
* 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
describe the bulbourethral glands
* 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
T or F: bulbourethral glands are the sole suppliers of lubrication for the urethra prior to ejaculation
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
what is semen?
* 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
what gives semen a milky appearance?
fluid from the prostate gland
34
semen forms a weak clot around the cervix, which gradually degrades after about \_\_\_
20 minutes
35
sperm can survive in utero for around \_\_\_
2-3 days
36
describe sperm capacitation
* 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
describe erection
* 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
pre-ejactulate is released in response to \_\_\_
parasympathetic nerves
39
what causes vasodilation of the vessels in the penis?
* 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
contraction of the vans deferens is a result of \_\_\_
* sympathetic impulses from reflex centers in the spine (leaving at T12-L2) * sperm moves towards the seminal vesicles
41
ejaculation results from the rhythmic contraction of which two muscles?
ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus

Physiology Supplemental Cards (3 decks)

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