Male Repro

Question 1

What is the function of the male testes?

Answer 1

• production of spermatozoa (male gametes)

- production of male sex hormone (testosterone)

Question 2

What is the function of the ducts?

Answer 2

• sperm storage
• maturation
• transportation

Question 3

What is the function of the accessory glands of the repro system?

Answer 3

• secrete majority of seminal fluid (semen)

- secretions = maintenance + maturation of sperm

Question 4

What is the function of the penis?

Answer 4

• male organ of copulation (sex)

- pathway for urine + semen

Question 5

Name the path semen from production to ejaculation.

Answer 5

Testis > epididymis > ductus deferens > seminal vesicle > prostate gland > ejaculatory duct [+ bulbourethral gland] > urethra

Question 6

What keeps the testis anchored to the floor of the scrotal sac?

Answer 6

Scrotal ligament

Question 7

The cremaster muscle covers the spermatic cord down into the testis. It is an extension of which muscle?

Answer 7

Internal oblique muscle from the abdominal wall - “dragged down” when testis “dropped”.

Question 8

Why does the testis sit away from the body?

Answer 8

Sperm needs to be at least 2 degrees cooler than the body temp - will otherwise die.

Question 9

What does semen consist of?

Answer 9

• spermatozoa

- secretions of accessory glands

Question 10

What are the two layers covering the testis?

Answer 10

1) tunica albuginea

2) tunica vaginalis (visceral+parietal layer)

Question 11

What is the pathway of spermatozoa production within the testis?

Answer 11

1) seminiferous tubules
2) rete testis
3) efferent tubules
- -> epididymis

Question 12

What are the 2 types of cells found within the seminiferous tubule?

Answer 12

1) spermatogenic cells (meiosis occurs - 1:4)

2) interstitial cells of Leydig (produce testosterone in presence of LH)

Question 13

Define spermatogenesis.

Answer 13

The process by which sperm is produced within seminiferous tubules (meiosis 1:4)

Question 14

Name the development process of germ cells to spermatozoa.

Answer 14

Spermatogonia (germ cells) > spermatocye (1, 2) > spermatid > [maturation] > spermatozoa

Question 15

What are the 2 functions of sertoli (nurse) cells?

Answer 15

1) creates blood-testis barrier (create extremely tight junctions to separate maturing cell system from vasculature - attack of immune system on maturing cells)
2) nurtures process of spermatogenesis (FSH)

Question 16

What is spermiogenesis?

Answer 16

• final stage of spermatogenesis

- transformation of round spermatid into asymmetrical spermatozoon

Question 17

Describe the transformation of a round spermatid into an asymmetrical spermatozoon.

Answer 17

• condensation of nucleus
• formation of acrosome (enzymatic pouch)
• flagellum development

Question 18

What generates the beating of the flagellum of the spermatozoon?

Answer 18

MITOCHONDRIAL SPIRAL in midpiece - produces ATP to generate beating

Question 19

What is the importance of a spermatozoon’s acrosome?

Answer 19

• contains enzymes to bore a hole in egg’s zona pellucida

- breaks down in contact w/ egg to allow sperm to reach egg’s plasma membrane = + Ca+ [fuse] = fertilization

Question 20

Why does the immune system see sperm proteins as foreign?

Answer 20

Only spermatogonia + Sertoli cells present @ birth.

Foreign = spermatocyes, spermatids, sperm

Question 21

What is the role of interstitial cells [of Leydig]?

Answer 21

• found within seminiferous tubule

- produce TESTOSTERONE in presence of LH

Question 22

What role does testosterone play?

Answer 22

• regulates spermatogenesis

- stimulates development + maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics

Question 23

What is the role of FSH?

Answer 23

FSH stimulates Sertoli cells [in seminiferous tubules] to support spermatogenesis

Question 24

What is the role of LH?

Answer 24

LH stimulates Leydig [interstitial cells] in seminiferous tubules to produce testosterone

Question 25

What is the function of the epididymis?

Answer 25

• storage of sperm

- maturation process

Question 26

What is the function of the ductus deferens?

Answer 26

• conducts sperm from epididymis to seminal vesicles

Question 27

What is the ductus deferens composed of?

Answer 27

Smooth muscle with tiny lumen

Question 28

Why is the mucosa highly amplified in seminal vesicles?

Answer 28

To support the maximum amount of secretion in cells (seminal fluid).

Question 29

What is contained within the fluid secreted from the seminal vesicles?

Answer 29

• coagulating factors (mass to form bolus of semen)
• fructose content (energy)
• 60% seminal fluid
  == enables sperm motility

Question 30

what is contained within the fluid secreted from the prostate gland?

Answer 30

• hydrolytic enzymes (liquifies semen post-ejaculation)

- 30% seminal fluid

Question 31

The bulb of the penis is made of what type of tissue?

Answer 31

Corpus spongiosum [erectile tissue]

Question 32

Name the 2 penile erectile bodies from the innermost layer to the outer layer.

Answer 32

1) Corpus spongiosum

2) Corpus cavernosum

Question 33

Where does the root of the penis attach to and what type of tissue is it made of?

Answer 33

• attached to body trunk

- corpus cavernosum

Question 34

Central (deep) arteries supply blood to the _______.

Answer 34

corpora cavernosa (outer layer) – > expanding penis puts pressure on and narrows the veins, keeping blood in during erection

Question 35

The corpora cavernosa is drained by veins in the surrounding ________.

Answer 35

connective tissue sheath

Question 36

What are the two stimulations which control the mechanism of an erection/ejaculation?

Answer 36

1) parasympathetic stimulation causes vasodilation of central arteries
2) sympathetic stimulation causes ejaculation

Question 37

What are the “glands of Littre”?

Answer 37

• urethral glands
• secrete mucus to protect epithelium against urine, keep moist
• most numerous in penile urethra