Male Reproduction Introduction Flashcards
Basic Male Anatomy
Seminiferous tubule, Rete testis, Efferent dustules, Epididymis, Vas deferens/Ductus deferens
Spermatic cord, Abdominal activity, Prostatic urethra, Seminal vesicles, Penis
A capsule of Dense CT
Tunica Albuginea
split testis into>200 lobules
Septa
Circular structures
Intertitial cells and Seminiferous tubules
Steroid-secreting cells
Leydig cells
Function of Leydig cells
Secrete testosterone
Primary male hormone responsible for: sex differentiation producing male sex characteristics
spermatogenesis
fertility
Testosterone
HUGE amount of SER (eosinophilic)
steroid-secreting cells
In adults, testoterone secretion is crucial for
Spermatogenesis and secondary sex characteristics
Stratified epithelium with Sertoli cells
where the maturation of sperm (spermatogenesis) occurs with sertoli cells
Seminiferous tubules
Near the base of tubule large, lightly stained, triangular nuclei
Sertoli cell
Sertoli cell functions
provide physical support and organization for developing sperm linked together-tight junction-ZONULA OCCLUDENS-BTB (BLOOD TESTIS BARRIER)
blood testis barrier funx
Isolates haploid antigenic cells from the systemic immune system
Sertoli cells secrete ANDROGEN BINDING PROTEIN (ABP)
requires high concentrations of local testosterone
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis
Maturation: begins near the Basal lamina-moves toward the ST Lumen
Exist between the Basal lamina of ST and Sertoli cells located OUTSIDE the BTB
Spermatogonia
As they mature, the B spermatogonia will undergo mitosis and become
Primary spermatocytes
Which exists INSIDE the BTB; between the Seroli cells and ST Lumen
Undergoing meiosis
stringy appearance due to chromosomes lining up
primary spermatocytes
Primary spermatocytes are undergoing meiosis to become
Haploid germ cells aka Spermatids
As they Mature: they go through many morphologic changes during spermiogenesis
Spermatids
Spermatids four phases
Golgi phase, Cap phase, Acrosome phase, Maturation phase
Maturation of spermatids
physically connected to seroli cell membranes via special junctions
Final phase of spermatid
spermatids released from SC into ST lumen as Mature sperm cells aka spermatozoa
Non-motile
Travel through ST in Sertoli cell fluid towards the epididymis
Spermatozoa
dense CT of mediastinum
ST
Dense CT of Mediastinum
Irregular spaces lined with cuboidal epithelium
lead to excurrent ducts between ST and epididymis
Rete testis
Extratesticular;located between rete testis and epididymis
Saw-tooth epithelium of ciliated columnar and non ciliated cuboidal
Efferent ductules
Functions of efferent ductules
Absorbs fluids secreted by sertoli cells
“Alternating groups” border
Numerous section of epididymis- circular structures throughout
Epididymus duct, epididymis duct epithelium, epithelium with stereocilia
More even border than efferent ductules
epididymis duct
Tall pseudostratified columnar epithelium
epididymis duct epithelium
long modified microvilli
contain core of actin filaments
Epithelium with stereocilia
Epithelium
with stereocilia function
absorption
Clumps in the lumen – which have mature in the epididymis gaining motility and ability to fertilize an oocyte
Smooth muscle surrounding the lining epithelium; undergoes rhythmic peristaltic construction that moves the sperm along the duct
Spermatozoa
stores majority of spermatozoa in adult males; VIABLE FOR WEEKS. But once it enters the vagina they can only survive for 3-4 days.
epididymis
The direct continuation of epididymis
Vas deferens
firm structure of vas deferens
I. thick coat of smooth muscle (blue line) – inner longitudinal layer (green), middle circular layer (red), outer longitudinal layer (black)
II. Mucosa appears folded (artifact of fixation) – due to contraction of thick muscular wall
III. Vas deferens epithelium: Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
Accessory gland with irregular lumen
Highly folded mucosa = A defining characteristic of Seminal vesicle
Note: larger in younger males with high androgen levels
Seminal vesicle
SV Mucosa
Columnar/Cuboidal Epithelium and Thin Lamina Propria
Seminal vesicle FUNCTIONS
Secretes seminal fluid; FRUCTOSE and CITRATE-RICH
Sperm’s main nutrient source
Note: prostate and bulbourethral gland also secretes seminal fluids
Aged SV: mucosal layer ATROPHIED
Due to lower systemic androgen levels
Atrophy
decrease in size – cell, organ, or other tissue
Seminal vesicle (aged)
Largest male accessory sex gland
Secrete alkaline fluid (PH 7.3) for seminal fluid
Prostate glandular epithelium: Simple cuboidal/columnar epithelium
Prostatic secretions contents:
PSA
Prostatic Acid
Phosphatase
Fibrinolysin
Citric Acid
Prostate gland
Precipitated prostate secretions in prostatic alveoli
Appear as circular structures in the secretory alveoli
Distinguishing feature of the prostate
Prostatic concretions
A section of the prostate where the urethra begins
Urethra– crescent-shaped structure
Vas deferens
Seminal vesicles
prostate
Prostatic urethra
Urothelium/transitional epithelium – umbrella / dome-shaped cells
Prostatic urethra
Structure of Penis
Corpora cavernosa (red) – dorsal side of the penis; bilateral
Corpus spongiosum (blue) with Urethra (green)
Dense fibroelastic tissue = tunica albuginea. (yellow) = surrounds all three structures
Filled with irregular venous spaces lined with vascular endothelium
Venous rbcs separated by: Trabeculla of Fibromuscular Connective Tx
Corpus cavernosum
Helicine arteries (black arrow) : coiled with flaccid penis and extended with erect penis
Oddly shaped with thick walls
Penis
helicine arteries dilate – blood fills the venous
spaces of cavernosum and spongiosum
Erection
Muscles compress veins – decreases the venous return – allowing
the erection to be maintained.
The pressure of erect penis, Ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus
