Male Repro Columbo TEST #3 11/1/16 Flashcards
What does the head of the sperm contain?
- Acrosome
- Genetic information
What is it called when the sperm breaks down the outer layer of the ovum?
-Acrosome reaction
What forms the centrioles in the fusion of the sperm and egg?
-Complex of microtubules
What is the cytoskeletal component of the sperm flagella that is formed from microtubules called?
-Axoneme
What is the max velocity of sperm?
1-4 mm/minute
T/F
The axoneme allows for movement and has lots of mitochondria located near it
True
What gives the sperm direction to move?
-Chemotactic sensors
What is movement by chemotactic sensors called?
-Gradient sensing
When does spermatogenesis begin?
around 13 yrs old
What influences spermatogenesis?
-Anterior pituitary (LH and FSH)
Where is the specific place in the testes that sperm is produced?
-Seminiferous tubules
What are seminiferous tubules lined with?
-Spermatogonia a type of germinal epithelial cell
How many cell layers in the spermatogonia?
2-3 cell layers
T/F
Spermatogonia proliferate to replace themselves
True
What surrounds the spermatogonia?
-Sertoli cells
What is the function of the Sertoli cells for the developing sperm?
- Supply nutrients
- Translocate differentiating sperm
- Form blood-testis barrier
Why is the Sertoli cell border (blood-testis barrier) important?
-Sperm can cause an auto-immune reaction when exposed to blood
What do Leydig cells produce?
-Testosterone
What causes Leydig cells to produce testosterone?
-Luteninizing hormone (LH)
What initiates puberty and spermatogenesis?
-Testosterone
How long does it take from start to finish for sperm to fully develop?
64 days
What is added to the sperm before it decouples from the Sertoli cell and enters the seminiferous tubule?
-Tail
T/F
Sperm are motile in the seminiferous tubules
False
They are not motile
What produces Inhibin as a negative feedback that occurs in excess of FSH secretion?
-Sertoli cells
What does FSH stimulate?
-Sertoli cells
After sperm is in the seminiferous tubules what two structures does it pass through before getting to the epididymis?
- Tubulus rectus (1st)
- Rete testis (2nd)
What part before the epididymis helps reabsorb tubular fluid and concentrate the sperm?
-Rete Testis
T/F
Sperm are capable of motility in the epididymis
True
-But they are inhibited by factors in the fluid
From the epididymis where does the sperm go?
-Vas deferens
How long can sperm be stored and still maintain their functionality?
-One month
What is obstructed in a vasectomy?
-Vas deferens
Where does sperm go from the vas deferens?
-Seminal vesicles
What percent of seminal volume do the seminal vesicles contribute?
60-70 %
What are three things that the seminal vesicles secrete?
- Fructose
- Prostaglandins
- Fibrinogen
What is the purpose of fructose being secreted into the sperm seamen mixture?
-Fuel for sperm motility
What is the purpose of prostaglandins being secreted into the seamen?
- Allows sperm ingress
- Propel sperm inward
What is the purpose of Fibrinogen being secreted into the seamen?
-Be cleaved to form a clot
After sperm passes the seminal vesicles where does it go?
-Ejaculatory duct
From the ejaculatory duct where does sperm go?
-Past the prostate via internal urethra
What does the prostate gland add?
- Clotting enzymes
- Pro-fibrinolysin
- alkaloids
What is the purpose of the clotting enzymes secreted from the prostate gland?
-Keep sperm in place
What is the purpose of the pro-fibrinolysin secreted from the prostate gland?
-Break down the clot
What percentage of product does the prostate gland contribute?
25-30%
What is another name for bulbourethral glands?
-Cowpers glands
What do bulbourethral glands do?
-Secrete pre-ejaculate
What are the three glands that contribute to the sperm?
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
- Cowpers glands
What is the pH of sperm?
-7.5
How long can sperm survive in utero?
2-3 days
What is it called when sperm enters the vagina and mobility inhibiting factors are washed away?
-Sperm capacitation
What molecule causes a more vigorous motion in the flagella?
-Calcium
T/F
Pre-ejaculate is released in response to parasympathetic nerves
True
What hormones cause vasodilatation?
- Ach
- Nitric oxide
What two places fill with blood during an erection?
- Corpora cavernosa
- Corpus spongiosum
What allows the corpora cavernos and corpus spongiosum to expand without rupture?
-Dense fibrous coats
What causes contractions of the vas deferens moving sperm towards the seminal vesicles in other words what causes emission?
-Sympathetic nervous system
What two muscles control ejaculation?
- Bulbospongiousus
- Ischiocavernosus
