Male Reproduction Flashcards
Gubernaculum testis
connective tissue extending from testis to what will become scrotum
Pampiniform plexus
Countercurrent heat exchange system that cools abdominal blood passing to testis and epididymis, heats blood returning from testis and epididymis to abdomen
Mesonephric tubules
Becomes the efferent ducts
Mesonephric ducts
Becomes the epididymus and vas deferens
Layers of the testes
Visceral tunica vaginalis –> tunica albuginea –> tunica vasculosa
Tunica albuginea
Thick connective tissue layer of testis. Contains the septa and mediastinum
Septa
Separate the seminiferous tubules
Mediastinum testis
posterior portion of the tunica albuginea that forms cavities that the seminiferous tubules empty sperm into
Efferent ducts
connects the tunica albuginea to the epididymus. Lined by ciliated and resorptive cells to help sperm move along and to reabsorb fluid
Tunica vasculosa
layer of connective tissue with blood vessels that provides nutrients to the seminiferous tubules
Leydig cells
Synthesize testosterone in their smooth ER and reside between the seminiferous tubules
Seminiferous tubules
Contain Sertoli cells, germ cells, and an outer layer of smooth muscle
LH
Stimulates leydig cells
FSH
Stimulates Sertoli cells
Inhibin
feedback hormone for LH and FSH secreted by Sertoli cells
Sertoli cells
Support cells in the seminiferous tubules. Secrete inhibin. Prominent nucleolus. Infolding nuclear membrane
Testosterone
Maintain spermatogenesis, maintain accessory glands of reproduction, secondary sex characteristics, and libido
Androgen receptor
Binds testosterone
Cholesterol
Precursor to testosterone
Sections of the seminiferous tubules
Transitional region (terminal segment) that contains only sertoli cells, tubulus rectus (simple cuboidal), and rete testis
Development of sperm cells
Spermatogonium -> primary spermatocyte -> secondary spermatocytes -> early spermatids -> sperm
Sertoli tight junction complexes
It contains a blood testis barrier that separates the basal compartment from the adluminal compartment. The sertoli cells have a role in sustaining the mitotic stem cells because of the separation from the nutrients of the basal compartment.
Basal compartment
Below the blood testis barrier and contains vasculature. Spermantogium are located here
Adluminal compartment
Above the blood testis barrier and contains the sperm stem cells. No vasculature
Spermatogenesis
The mitotic differentiation of spermatogonia to sperm
Spermiogenesis
The process of a round sperm to an elongated sperm
Section of sperm
Head –> neck–> middle piece –> principal piece –> end piece
Head
acrosome on outer layer, DNA inside
Neck
contains the centrioles
Middle piece
contains the axoneme. It is wrapped with mitochondria and this provides the energy for motility
Principal piece
the axoneme is wrapped in a fibrous sheath
End piece
Axoneme only
Sequential temporal succession
The same cell types of germ cells differentiate in clusters during spermatogenesis. When the cells are differentiating, there is a communicating within each of them so they can differentiate together
Rete testis
spaces within the mediastinum that collects the sperm from the various tubules, ciliated cuboidal
Epididymus
Pseudostratified columnar, lined with stereocilia. Empties into the vas deferens
Sperm maturation
The ability of sperm to fertilize ova increases during transit through the epididymis
Sperm storage
The wide lumen of the tail (cauda) increases storage volume
Layers of vas deferens
Inner and outer layers of longitudinal smooth muscle. and middle layer of circular smooth muscle for contraction. Epithelium is folded on the inside (ampulla)
Seminal vesicle
One tube, highly folded. Secretes fluid during ejaculation. Pseudostratified columnar or simple columnar.
Zones of the prostate gland
Periurethral and central zone (more smooth muscle) and transitional zone
Corpora amylacea
Concretions in the prostate that accumulate with age
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands
secrete mucin that protects the lining of the urethral from acrosomal proteases and protects sperm from remnants of urine. Contains skeletal muscle
Layers of the urethra
Going down the urethra: Prostatic (transitional) –> membranous and penile (pseudostratified and/or Stratified columnar)
