Male Repro

Question 1

Products of Sertoli cells

Answer 1

Inhibin: inhibits release of FSH
Activin: promotes release of FSH
AMH: ensure Wolffian duct will form
ABP: binds testosterone to keep it high in seminiferous tubules for the production of

Form blood testes barrier

Question 2

Prostate Cancer

Answer 2

Prostate relies entirely on DHT
Therapies involve reducing the amount of testosterone produced:
-5alpha reductase (converts testosterone into DHT) when the tumor is androgen dependent
-GnRH agonist/antagonist
-Glucocorticoids
-CYP17 inhibitor
-AR antagonist
-estrogen treatment (to downregulate the pulse generator)

Question 3

5 alpha reductase

Answer 3

Converts testosterone into potent DHT in peripheral tissues, specifically the external genitalia

Question 4

DHT is more potent because

Answer 4

Has higher affinity for AR than testosterone

Question 5

Function and location of Blood Testes Barrier

Answer 5

Made by tight junctions of adjoining Sertoli cells-below are spermatagonia and above are primary spermatocytes

1. Prevent harmful substances from contaminating fluid around sperm
2. Prevent sperm from entering blood stream (which could elicit an immune response)
3. Maintain high testosterone locally

Question 6

Significance of 17-HSD

Answer 6

Only found in Leydig cells

Serves to convert androstenedione into testosterone

Question 7

Expression of CYP19 in males

Answer 7

Primarily found in Leydig cells and peripheral fat to convert androstenedione/testosterone into estrone/estradiol

Question 8

Sperm stem cells

Answer 8

Spermatagonia

Question 9

Kartagener’s Syndrome

Answer 9

• immotile cilia syndrome
• cilia lack dynein in order to function
• males are sterile
• also suffer chronic sinusitis and bronchitis

Question 10

Effect of FSH

Answer 10

• acts on seminiferous tubules to increase spermatogenesis

- acts on Leydig cells to increase their sensitivity to LH

Question 11

Effect of LH

Answer 11

Stimulates Leydig to produce testosterone

Question 12

Mechanisms for temperature regulation of testes

Answer 12

1. Countercurrent heat exchange with papiniform plexus
2. Dartos smooth muscle and cremaster skeletal muscle

Controlled by ANS

Question 13

Pathway of testicular duct system

Answer 13

Seminiferous tubules–>straight tubules–>rete testis–>efferent ductule–>epidymis–>vas deferens–>ampulla (storage)–>ejaculatory duct
–>urethra

Question 14

Epididymis

Answer 14

-where spermatozoa acquire motility

Question 15

3 parts of the male urethra

Answer 15

1. Prostatic
2. Membranous
3. Spongy

Question 16

Seminal vesicles

Answer 16

• Very coiled, but actually only one
• Goblet cells
• Produces majority of semen, include fructose needed to nourish sperm

Question 17

Benign prostate hyperplasia

Answer 17

• enlargement of prostate due to an increase in the number of cells
• linked to DHT formed by 5alpha-reductase
• usually at the transition zone (around the urethra close to the ejaculatory ducts), which causes issues with urination

Question 18

Erection

Answer 18

• ateriovenous anastomosis closed (these are normally open in a flaccid penis) so that erectile tissue can be filled
• filling of veins
• blood outflow reduced because of Buck’s fascia; raises penis to erect position
• nitric oxide causes relaxation of smooth muscle of erectile tissues (this is the target of ED drugs…prolong the action of NO)
• PARASYMPATHETIC

Question 19

Nervous System-Ejaculation

Answer 19

-SYMPATHETIC

Question 20

Capacitation

Answer 20

The process by which sperm are altered by the female reproduction system in order to be able to fertilize the egg

Involves removing sperm glycoprotein coat and proteins

Question 21

Kleinfelter’s

Answer 21

47, XXY
Elevated gonadotropes, low testosterone
Impaired spermatogenesis
Impaired male sexual development (small penis, weak muscle tone, sparse facial and torso hair)

Question 22

XX Male

Answer 22

Due to a fragment of SRY translocated onto the X chromosome
Presents like Kleinfelter’s
Duplicated SOX9

Question 23

Complete Androgen Resistance

Answer 23

46 XY
Genetically male, but phenotypically female 
Androgen receptor on X-chromosome 
No Wolffian duct formation
Regression of the Mullerian duct 
No DHT function
Testes still generating testosterone but receptors aren't working, so it is converted to E2
Male pseudeohermaphroditism

Question 24

Reifenstein’s Syndrome

Answer 24

Partial androgen resistance
Androgen receptor on X chromosome
Broad spectrum of secondary sex characteristics with ambiguous genitalia
Severity depends on the amount of resistance

Question 25

5alpha-reductase deficiency

Answer 25

Autosomal defect; would have to inherit two bad copies
Testosterone can work at Wolffian duct and AMH can regress Mullerian duct
Genetically male, but due to loss of DHT, secondary sex characteristics and genitalia are ambiguous

Question 26

Secondary Gonadotropin Deficiency

Answer 26

To due pathologies that negatively feedback on the GnRH pulse generator of FSH/LH

Examples: Cushing’s, exogenous glucocorticoid administration

Question 27

Primary gonadotropin deficiency

Answer 27

Due to GnRH receptor mutation, LH mutation, or FSH mutation

Caused by infarction, tumors, trauma, infection, radiation

Would likely lead to many pituitary-related problems