Male Reproductive Anatomy Flashcards
2 functions of the testis
Produce/transmission of spermatozoa. Production of reproductive androgen hormones.
Spermatozoa
Male genes
2 Compartments within the Testis
Seminiferous tubules and between the seminiferous tubules
What is held within the seminiferous tubules?
Sertoli cells. Spermatogenesis, or sperm development, takes place
What is held outside of the seminiferous tubules?
Leydig cells and androgens synthesized
Spermatogonia
Developing sperm cell
Function of the Sertoli cell
Moderates/control the production of sperm (spermatogenesis). All sertoli cells are linked by gap junctions.
3 phases of Spermatogenesis
Mitotic Proliferation, Meiotic Division, Cytodifferentiation (spermiogenesis)
What is Mitotic Proliferation
Diploid and genetically identical.
What is Meiotic Proliferation
Generates genetic diversity with the exchange of genetic material. Produces Haploid Cells. 2 rounds
What is produced in the first round of meiotic proliferation
Spermatocytes
What is produced in the second round of meiotic proliferation
Spermatids
Cytodifferentiation
Spermatogenesis. Change in morphology
3 epilayers of the Seminiferous Tubules
Adlumenal compartment, Basal compartment, Interstitial compartment
How is spermatogenesis coordinated
The sperm are developing at the same rate in a coordinated wave
Function of the Leydig Cells
Produce the androgen testosterone
Controls the ability to make sperm, become erect, produce accessory secretions, and initiate puberty
Dihydrotestosterone
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
GnRH produced/released in Hypothalamus. Sends GnRH to anterior pituitary. AP produced LH and FSH
LH effect on male reproduction
LH stimulates leydig cells to produce testosterone and supports spermatogenesis
FSH effect on male reproduction
FSH stimulates the production of androgen receptor proteins in the sertoli cells, which allows them to respond
Boar taint
Testosterone making the meat taste weird
Cremaster muscle
Pulls the testis up towards the body
Pampiniform testis
The veins that wrap around the artery, taking the heat out of the artery to reach the testis at a much cooler temperature. Countercurrent temperature control
Blood supply to the testis
Testicular artery, right and left testicular vein
How long does the passage through the epididymis take?
10 days
Epididymal Structure
Caput, Corpus, Cauda
Epididymal Caput function
Head. Fluid from sertoli cells reabsorbed, sperm is concentrated.
Epididymal Corpus function
Body. Modification of the environment and sperm mature
Epididymal Cauda Funtion
Sperm Storage
Epididymal Maturation in the Corpus
Condensation of nuclear chromatin. Depression of metabolic activity to prolong life. cAMP content of tail increases, allowing for motility
What are sperm ejaculated in
Seminal plasma
What produces seminal plasma
Accessory glands
What are the Accessory glands
Prostate, seminal vesicle, ampulla, bulbourethral
What determines the ejaculate volume?
Seminal plasma
What does the Bulbourethral gland produce
Pre-ejaculate
What accessory glands are absent in dogs
Ampulla and two seminal vesicles
Two types of penises
Fibroelastic and musculovascular
Animals that have the Fibroelastic Penis
Ram, bull, boar
Erectile tissue of the fibroelastic penis
Corpus cavernosum and corpus spingeosum
Animals that have the musculovascular penis
Stallion and human. Lacking sigmoid flexure
Glans Penis
Highly specialized tip of the penis
Male and Female Dog are “tied”
OS penis. Bulbus glandis forms the copulatory lock
What is the OS penis
Bone within the glands penis
