male reproductive behavior Flashcards
sperm cells
modified gametes carrying haploid components of DNA; one cell of the testis
sertoli cells
nourish sperm during maturation, source of androgen-binding protein (sperm need ABP to travel in the blood because androgens are steroids and hydrophobic); source of inhibin (role in negative feedback on AP) and MIH; associated with FSH; located within seminiferous tubules
Leydig cells
source of androgen (testosterone); mediated by LH; located in interstitial tissue in seminiferous tubules
sperm
cycle of production occurs every 2 months; 200-500 million sperm per ejaculate; originate and mature in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis
seminal fluid
- produced by the seminal vesicle and prostate
- serves as an aqueous buffer for sperm transport
- composed of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, prostaglandins–> nourish the sperm
seminal plug
coagulation of semen at the vaginal entrance; prevents leakage
spermatogenesis
LH–> testosterone–> spermatogenesis
- Process:
- spermatogonia (precursor to sperm) undergo mitosis to produce a)other spermatogonia b)primary spermatocytes
- primary spermatocytes under meiosis 1 to produce 2 secondary spermatocytes
- secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 2 to produce 4 spermatid
- spermatid mature into sperm
- sperm travel through lumen of the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis–> vas deferens
seminiferous tubules
where the sperm originate and mature
steroidogenesis
the creation of steroids
- testosterone synthesized in the leydig cells under the influence of LH
- (this T acts on the sertoli cells to stimulate spermatogenesis)
aromatization of T->E
testosterone is aromatized to estradiol in the sertoli cells under the influence of FSH
pathway of Testosterone conversion in Leydig (cholesterol)
-LH–> activation of G-coupled protein receptor–> activation of adenylate cyclase and synthesis of cAMP–> PKA activation–> enzyme amplification–> conversion of cholesterol–> pregnenolone–> progesterone–> androstenedione–> testosterone
FSH, sertoli cells, ABP
FSH stimulates the sertoli cells to produce ABP
-FSH acts as a transcription factor (and ultimately translation factor) that leads to the synthesis of ABP
testosterone metabolites
testosteroneandrostenedione
testosterone–> DHT via 5-a reductase
testosterone–> estradiol via aromatase
negative feedback of testosterone
testosterone produced from leydig cells feeds back on the AP and hypothalamus to decrease GnRH, LH, and FSH
negative feedback of inhibin
inhibin produced from sertoli cells feeds back on AP to decrease FSH secretion
male sexual behavior
all behaviors necessary to deliver the sperm to the ova
appetitive phase
all behaviors a male uses to gain access to a female
- aka: courtship, sex drive, appetitive behavior
- seeking sexual encounters, flirting
consummatory phase
time when copulation occurs; sex behaviors
-associated with performance, copulation, potency
sex drive (part of appetitive phase)
associated with motivation; the motivational force that brings individuals to sexual union