male reproductive Flashcards
sac of loose skin, fascia and smooth muscle that is divided into two pouches by a septum
scrotum
what is the function of the scrotum?
temperature regulation of testes
What is the name of the muscle that elevate or lower the testes in reponse to arousal, cold or warmth?
cremaster muscle
Why is the cremaster muscle important in sperm survival?
sperm requires 2-3 degrees lower temperature than the core body temperature to survive
Where are sperm formed?
within lobules are 2-3 seminiferous tubules where sperm are formed
What is the dense white capsule the testes are covered with called?
tunica vaginalis
sperm forming cells
spermatogonia
supporting cells for sperm formation
sertoli
What secretes testosterone?
interstitial leydig (interstitial endocrinocyte) cells which are between seminiferous tubules
What are 4 functions of serotoli cells?
- forms blood-testis barrier
- support developing sperm cells
- produce fluid and control release of sperm into lumen
- secrete inhibinwhich slows sperm production
sertoli cells extend from _____ _____ to ______
basement membrane
lumen
What is sperm morphology adapted for?
for reaching and fertilizing the egg
What is the acrosome in the sperm?
contains enzymes for egg wall penetration
Does sperm have a nucleus?
yes duh, to carry DNA
What is the midpiece of a sperm?
contains mitochondria to form ATP energy for motility
What is the tail of sperm called?
flagellum used for movement
Where does sperm maturation and development of the capacity of motility occur?
epididymis
How long can sperm be stored in a suppressed inactive state by inhibitory secretions?
in the epididymis for one month
What is sperm capacitation?
when the female genital tract fluids wash away inhibitory secretions
When does the acrosome reaction occur?
when the proteolytic enzymes and hyaluronidase open a penetrating pathway in the ovum wall
cryptorchidism
failure of the testes to descend- under testosterone stimulation- from the abdomen through the inguinal canal into the scrotum before or after birth of the fetus
- semineferous tubules and the spermatogonia will degenerate
- failure of spermatogenesis will cause sterility