Male Reproduction Flashcards

1
Q

What cells do sperm arise from?

A

Spermatogonial stem cells

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2
Q

Where does mitotic division occur in sperm production?

A

Basal layer of sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules in the testis

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3
Q

How many chromosomes to spermatogonia have?

A

46

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4
Q

What happens to the residual body of a sperm?

A

It is phagocytosed by the sertoli cells

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5
Q

What do the seminiferous tubules run into?

A

The rete testis

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5
Q

What is an orchidectomy?

A

Removal of a testis

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6
Q

What occurs if the testes do not descend to the scrotum?

A

Cryptorchidism

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7
Q

What does the rete testis run into?

A

The epididymis

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8
Q

What does the epididymis run into?

A

The vas deferens

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9
Q

What occurs in the epididymis?

A

Sperm acquire the ability to be motile and fertilise.

Excess fluid is also reabsorbed making the sperm 100x more concentrated

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10
Q

How long to sperm spend in the epididymis?

A

10-14 days

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11
Q

What is the ampulla?

A

Wider region of vas deferens which contains very concentrated sperm storage

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12
Q

How long can sperm be stored in the vas deferns?

A

Several months

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13
Q

What is the function of the seminiferous tubules?

A

Produce sperm

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13
Q

Where are the seminiferous tubules located?

A

The testes

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14
Q

What is the name of the cell in which a sperm first starts to be made?

A

Sertoli cell

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14
Q

What is found outside of the seminiferous tubules?

A

Leydig cells

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15
Q
A
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15
Q

At what stage in life does spermatogenesis begin?

A

After puberty

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16
Q

How much does the average testis weigh?

A

18g

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17
Q

How many sperm does the average male produce per second?

A

300-600 sperm per gram of testis tissue per second

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18
Q

What are the 3 stages of spermatogenesis?

A

Mitosis, Meiosis, Cytodifferentiation

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19
Q

What occurs during stage 1 of spermatogenesis?

A

Stage 1: Mitosis. A spermatogonial stem cell (2n) divides to produce 1 daughter cell (2n) and 1 spermatogonial stem cell. The daughter cell then migrates through the tight junctions of Sertoli cells into the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, where is is called a primary spermatocyte

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20
Q

What occurs during stage 2 of spermatogenesis?

A

Stage 2: Meiosis. The primary spermatocyte’s DNA content doubles (still 2n), and Meiosis 1 occurs, resulting in 2 secondary spermatocytes (n). Meiosis 2 occurs, producing 4 spermatids (n)

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21
Q

What happens in stage 3 of spermatogenesis?

A

Stage 3: spermiogenesis/cytodifferentiation. Round spermatids form a tail, midpiece, and head. Spermatozoa are found in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules

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22
Q

What are the names of the cells as they progress through spermiogenesis?

A

Spermatogonium -> primary spermatocyte -> secondary spermatocyte -> spermatids -> spermatozoa

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23
Q

What is the name of the sack on a sperms head and what is its function?

A

Acrosome, contains enzymes to help sperm penetrate oocyte

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24
Q

In males, what does LH act on and what is its effect?

A

LH acts on Leydig cells in the testes and causes testosterone to be produced.

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24
Q

What is the effect of testosterone released from leydig cells?

A

Testosterone travels through the blood and can become dihydrotestosterone, which result in secondary sexual characteristics. Testosterone also acts on sertoli cells to produce sperm

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25
Q

What are some of the common secondary sexual characteristics in males?

A

Aggressiveness

Libido

Hair growth

Baldness

Enlarged testicles

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26
Q

What is the effect of FSH on Sertoli cells?

A

Causes Sertoli cells to produce ABP (androgen binding protein) which allows testosterone (released from the leydig cells) to travel around the body

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27
Q

How is testosterone production controlled?

A

Testosterone travels to the hypothalamus to downregulate the production of GnRH. It can also turn of the production of FSH and LH in the anterior pituitary. (Negative feedback loop).

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28
Q

What does kisspeptin do?

A

Stimulates the hypothalamus to release GnRH

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28
Q

How is ABP production regulated?

A

Sertoli cells produce inhibin which regulates FSH production in the anterior pituitary

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29
Q

What is the name of the protein that stimulates the hypothalamus to release GnRH?

A

Kisspeptin

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30
Q

What is the incidence of male infertility?

A

1 in 6 men

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31
Q

What are the 2 treatments for male infertility?

A

IVF and ICSI

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31
Q

What is reduced sperm count known as?

A

Oligospermia

31
Q

What is a common feature of male infertility?

A

Reduced sperm count - <20 million/ml

32
Q

What is no sperm in ejaculate known as?

A

Azoospermia

33
Q

How many sperm are required for IVF?

A

50,000 motile sperm

34
Q

What does IVF stand for?

A

In vitro fertilisation

35
Q

What does ICSI stand for?

A

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

36
Q

Where are the testes located?

A

The scrotum

36
Q

What is the removal of a testi
called?

A

Orchidectomy

37
Q

At what stage in life do the testes move from the pelvis to the scrotum?

A

During pregnancy

38
Q

What is the incidence of cryptorchidism?

A

3%

38
Q

What is it called if the testes do not descend into the scrotum?

A

Cryptorchidism

39
Q

What is the result of cryptorchism?

A

Infertility and prone to testicular cancer

40
Q

Describe the path of sperm from the seminiferous tubule

A

Seminiferous tubule -> rete testis -> epididymis -> vas deferens -> ejaculatory duct

41
Q

How many seminiferous tubules are found in each testis?

A

~80

42
Q

What are the 4 main ducts apart of the male reproductive tract?

A

Epididymis

Vas deferens

Ejaculatory duct

Urethra

43
Q

How long is the urethra?

A

20cm

43
Q

How long is the vas deferens?

A

45cm

44
Q

What structures join into the ejaculatory duct?

A

Vas deferens, bladder, seminal vesicles

45
Q

What are the 2 accessory glands of the male reproductive tract?

A

Seminal vesicles & prostate

46
Q

Describe the substance produced by the seminal vesicles

A

Mucoid, sticky, alkaline, contains fructose, prostaglandins and clotting proteins

46
Q

What do the seminal vesicles do?

A

Secrete a substance into the ejaculatory duct which washes the sperm down the urethra

47
Q

What do the clotting proteins in seminal fluid do?

A

Allow the sperm to ‘stick’ inside the female so it is not removed during intercourse.

48
Q

What shape and size is the prostate?

A

Donut shaped, golf ball sized

49
Q

What does the prostate secrete, and when?

A

Prostatic fluid, before of sperm during ejaculation

50
Q

What does prostatic fluid do?

A

Breaks down the coagulum in the female so the sperm isn’t stuck forever and can swim to the oocyte

50
Q

What is the pH of semen?

A

7.5

50
Q

Describe prostate fluid

A

Slightly acidic (6.5), milky coloured, contains citrate, phosphate, calcium and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

51
Q

How many sperm does normal human ejaculate contain per ml?

A

20 million

51
Q

Describe the makeup of semen (in order of it’s exit from the penis)- including approximate percentages

A

30% prostatic fluid

10% sperm

60% seminal vesicle fluid

51
Q

What percentage of men’s cancer mortalities does prostate cancer contribute?

A

29%

52
Q

What does BPH stand for, and what is it?

A

Benign prostate hyperplasia - overgrowth of the prostate tissue

52
Q

What are the 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and what are their half-lives?

A

Finasteride - 5-7 hours

Dutasteride - 5 weeks

52
Q

What occurs as a result of BPH?

A

Weakening of the bladder as urethra is occluded

Urinary infections

Kidney problems

52
Q

What is the approximate volume of human ejaculate?

A

2-5mls

52
Q

What is the incidence of BPH?

A

90% of men over 85yrs

52
Q

What are the 2 treatments for BPH?

A
  1. Surgery
  2. Selective 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors - stops prostate from enlarging by stopping testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone
53
Q

What do prostate screening tests detect?

A

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

53
Q

What are the 3 major structures of the penis?

A

Corpora cavernosa (x2)

Corpus spongiosum

Penile urethra

54
Q

What are the 4 treatment methods for prostate cancer?

A

Watchful waiting (detect and monitor closely)

Androgen depletion (5 alpha reductase inhibitors, castration, inhibitors of androgen synthesis)

Inhibition of testosterone action (block androgen receptor)

Surgery - prostatectomy

54
Q

What are the corpora cavernosa?

A

The main erectile tissue which fills with blood

55
Q

Describe the corpus spongiosum?

A

Surrounds the penile urethra and prevents it’s occlusion during an erection. Also fills with blood during an erection.

55
Q

Does the corpora cavernosa lie dorsal or ventral to the corpus spongiosum?

A

Ventral

56
Q

Release: what 2 things cause smooth muscle relaxation in the corpora cavernose?

A

NO and prostaglandin E1

57
Q

How much more blood does an erect penis contain compared with a flaccid penis?

A

8x more

58
Q

What is the name of the secondary messenger that contributes to the relaxation of the smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa, and what does it do?

A

Guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) - reduces intracellular calcium

59
Q

What is the name of the enzyme that breaks down GMP? What does the breakdown of GMP lead to?

A

Phosphodiesterase - leads to less relaxation so no erection.

60
Q

What does Viagra do (at the molecular level)?

A

Inhibits phosphodiesterase (type 5) so that GMP is not broken down and arteries in the corpora cavernosa remain relaxed, allowing an erection to occur.

61
Q

What enzyme converts testosterone to 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone?

A

5 alpha reductase

62
Q

During which decade of life will the incidence of Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) be approximately 35%?

A

70-79

63
Q

During which decade of life will the incidence of Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) be rare?

A

Under 40

63
Q

During which decade of life will the incidence of Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) be approximately 27%?

A

60-69

64
Q

During which decade of life will the incidence of Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) be approximately 17%?

A

50-59

65
Q

What is the incidence of BPH at ages 50-59?

A

17%

66
Q

What is the incidence of BPH at ages 60-69?

A

27%

67
Q

What is the incidence of BPH at ages 70-79?

A

35%

68
Q

What branch of the autonomic nervous initiates and maintains an erection?

A

Parasympathetic

69
Q

What is one enzyme that the acrosome of a sperm cell contains?

A

Hyaluronidase