Male Reproduction Flashcards
What cells do sperm arise from?
Spermatogonial stem cells
Where does mitotic division occur in sperm production?
Basal layer of sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules in the testis
How many chromosomes to spermatogonia have?
46
What happens to the residual body of a sperm?
It is phagocytosed by the sertoli cells
What do the seminiferous tubules run into?
The rete testis
What is an orchidectomy?
Removal of a testis
What occurs if the testes do not descend to the scrotum?
Cryptorchidism
What does the rete testis run into?
The epididymis
What does the epididymis run into?
The vas deferens
What occurs in the epididymis?
Sperm acquire the ability to be motile and fertilise.
Excess fluid is also reabsorbed making the sperm 100x more concentrated
How long to sperm spend in the epididymis?
10-14 days
What is the ampulla?
Wider region of vas deferens which contains very concentrated sperm storage
How long can sperm be stored in the vas deferns?
Several months
What is the function of the seminiferous tubules?
Produce sperm
Where are the seminiferous tubules located?
The testes
What is the name of the cell in which a sperm first starts to be made?
Sertoli cell
What is found outside of the seminiferous tubules?
Leydig cells
At what stage in life does spermatogenesis begin?
After puberty
How much does the average testis weigh?
18g
How many sperm does the average male produce per second?
300-600 sperm per gram of testis tissue per second
What are the 3 stages of spermatogenesis?
Mitosis, Meiosis, Cytodifferentiation
What occurs during stage 1 of spermatogenesis?
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
What occurs during stage 2 of spermatogenesis?
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)
What happens in stage 3 of spermatogenesis?
Stage 3: spermiogenesis/cytodifferentiation. Round spermatids form a tail, midpiece, and head. Spermatozoa are found in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules
What are the names of the cells as they progress through spermiogenesis?
Spermatogonium -> primary spermatocyte -> secondary spermatocyte -> spermatids -> spermatozoa
What is the name of the sack on a sperms head and what is its function?
Acrosome, contains enzymes to help sperm penetrate oocyte
In males, what does LH act on and what is its effect?
LH acts on Leydig cells in the testes and causes testosterone to be produced.
What is the effect of testosterone released from leydig cells?
Testosterone travels through the blood and can become dihydrotestosterone, which result in secondary sexual characteristics. Testosterone also acts on sertoli cells to produce sperm
What are some of the common secondary sexual characteristics in males?
Aggressiveness
Libido
Hair growth
Baldness
Enlarged testicles
What is the effect of FSH on Sertoli cells?
Causes Sertoli cells to produce ABP (androgen binding protein) which allows testosterone (released from the leydig cells) to travel around the body
How is testosterone production controlled?
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).
What does kisspeptin do?
Stimulates the hypothalamus to release GnRH
How is ABP production regulated?
Sertoli cells produce inhibin which regulates FSH production in the anterior pituitary
What is the name of the protein that stimulates the hypothalamus to release GnRH?
Kisspeptin
What is the incidence of male infertility?
1 in 6 men
What are the 2 treatments for male infertility?
IVF and ICSI