Male Reproduction

Question 1

What are the male and female target cells for FSH?

Answer 1

Sertoli cells, granulosal cells

Question 2

What are the male and female target cells for LH?

Answer 2

Leydig cells, thecal cells

Question 3

During the reproductive years, LH is produced in abundance over FSH.

T/F

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What is the function of Sertoli cells?

Answer 4

•Sertoli cells provides the cellular environment for development of sperm - nurtures their development

Question 5

What is the function of Leydig cells?

Answer 5

•Leydig cells are interstitial cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules that secrete testosterone

Question 6

Where does spermatic mitosis take place?

Answer 6

basal compartment

Question 7

Where does spermatic meiosis take place?

Answer 7

central compartment

Question 8

The genetic endowment of the secondary spermatocyte is:

A. 46 chromosomes per cell, 2 chromatids per chromosome

B. 23 chromosomes per cell, 2 chromatids per chromosome

C. 23 chromosomes per cell, 1 chromatid per chromosome

Answer 8

B. 23 chromosomes per cell, 2 chromatids per chromosome

Question 9

Mitosis takes place on the luminal side of the blood-testes barrier (inside the barrier).

T/F

Answer 9

False. Meiotic takes place inside the barrier, though.

Question 10

Which cell type is not protected by the blood-testes barrier?

A. Spermatogonia

B. Primary spermatocytes

C. Secondary spermatocytes

D. Spermatids

Answer 10

A. Spermatogonia

Question 11

How are abnormal sperm dealt with?

Answer 11

Sertoli cells autodigest sperm that do not meet quality control.

Question 12

Movement of sperm is both passive and enhanced by smooth muscle contractions.

A. True

B. False

Answer 12

True

~Pressure created by continuous secretion of fluid from Sertoli cells move non-motile sperm

~Also moved by peristaltic contractions of smooth muscle associated with epididymis and vas deferens

Question 13

Pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction would focus on:

A. Sympathetic innervation

B. Parasympathetic innervation

Answer 13

B. parasympathetic

Question 14

Which ANS is dominant during ejaculation?

Answer 14

sympathetic - neural norepinephrine

Question 15

Which ANS is dominant during penile erection?

Answer 15

parasympathetic

Question 16

Growth of the prostrate gland and male baldness depends on dihydrotestosterone rather than testosterone.

A. True

B. False

Answer 16

True

Question 17

GnRH release is greater at night and lower during the day.

T/F

Answer 17

False.

~A pulse of GnRH is secreted approximately every 90 minutes triggering LH and FSH release from the anterior pituitary.

~Pulses of FSH act on Sertoli cells to stimulate paracrine agents that stimulate spermatogenesis.

Question 18

What is the action of inhibin?

Answer 18

Inhibits FSH secretion from the anterior pituitary

Question 19

What is the inhibitory action of testosterone?

Answer 19

1. inhibits LH secretion from the anterior pituitary
2. inhibits GnRH secretion from the hypothalamus

Question 20

Who releases ABP (androgen-binding protein) and why?

Answer 20

• Sertoli cells secrete fluid containing androgen-binding protein (ABP)
• Testosterone binds to ABP and crosses blood-testes barrier

Question 21

98% of circulating testosterone is bound to plasma proteins including androgen-binding protein.

A. True

B. False

Answer 21

A. True

Question 22

Androgens stimulate the synthesis of sex steroid-binding globulins (androgen-binding protein).

A. True

B. False

Answer 22

False. Synthesis is stimulated by estrogens and inhibited by androgens.

Question 23

Estrogen has the ability to pass through membranes but there are cells that have estrogen receptors.

T/F

Answer 23

True.

E.g., in the brain

Question 24

Who releases inhibin?

Answer 24

Sertoli cells

Question 25

Secondary hypogonadism

• How would the hormone levels throughout axis change if there was hyposecretion at the level of the pituitary?
• Level of LH and FSH?
• Level of testosterone?

Answer 25

LH & FSH: low

testosterone: low

Question 26

Klinefelter syndrome

• Level of LH and FSH?
• Level of testosterone?

Answer 26

LH & FSH: high

testosterone: low