Male Reproductive Endocrinology Flashcards
What are the 2 functions of the testes
Secrete testosterone
Produce sperm by the process of spermatogenesis
what are the cell types in the testes
2 compartments – tubules and interstitium
- Tubules- There are germ and sertoli cells
- Interstitium- Leydig cells which are also called the the interstitium cells of Leydig
What is the residual body and what phagocytoses it
excess cytoplasm after spermiogenesis and Sertoli cells phagocytose this
what is a spermatozoa
Haploid (n)
Joins with oocyte (n) to give a full chromosome complement
Essentially a nucleus with a tail
Describe the structure of a spermatozoa
1) Head – nucleus with compacted DNA
Surrounded by acrosome – contains enzymes for fertilisation
2) Midpiece – central filamentous core with mitochrondria
3) Tail – flagellum to propel sperm
What is the difference between spermatid and sperm staining
Spermatid DNA is bigger than sperm so their staining is more rounder rather than elongated.
Sperm appears more elongated
What is the difference between spematogonoia and spermatocytes staining
Spermatogonia are smaller than spermatocytes- little pink circles
Spermacotytes- bigger pink circles
They will both be away from the lumen (near the outer edge)
Which cells are near the lumen (centre of cell stained)
Mature cells only
What shape does the sertoli cell nuclei look like
Triangular
What are the somatic cells of the testes
Sertoli cells
Leydig cells
What are sertoli cells derived from
derived from the sex cords of the developing testis
What are sertoli cells
Tall, simple columnar cells that span from the basement membrane to the lumen of the tubule
What are sertoli cells functions regarding germ cells and phagocytoses
- Surround germ cells forming pockets around them- providing nutrients
Also provide structural support- pushing germ cells to lumen - Phagocytose excess spermatid cytoplasm.
How are sertoli cells connected to each other and what two compartments do they form by doing so
Connected to each other by tight junctions that seal the tubule into two compartments:
- the basal (close to the basal lamina)
- adluminal (towards the lumen) compartment.
Large molecules cannot pass between the basal and adluminal compartment. What is this known as and what does it protect
this is called theblood-testis barrier. (protects newly formed gametes)
What are leydig cells also known as and what is their structure like?
interstitial cells
They have a pale cytoplasm because they contain many cholesterol-lipid droplets.
What is the function of the leydig cells
Make and secretetestosterone, in response to LH hormone from the pituitary gland.
What cell produces the anti-mullerian hormone
sertoli cells
How are androgen binding protein secreted?
FSH stimulates the Sertoli cells in the testis to secrete androgen-binding protein into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Binding of testosterone in the lumen provides a local testosterone supply for the developing spermatogonia.
What are peritubular myoid cells?
They surround the basement membrane and are which are squamous contractile cells:
- Play a crucial role in the self-renewal and maintenance of the spermatogonial stem cell population (keep spermatogonia population alive and nourished)
- Important in signalling to the Sertoli cells
What are endocrine disruptors
Exogenous substances that disrupt normal endocrine function
- Increase or decrease the substance/ function
What do endocrine disruptors have an impact on
Impacts the endocrine organ and then can act on other tissues
Can affect hormones or hormone receptors
Endocrine disruptors can be ______ or ______
natural
man made
Endocrine disruptors affect _______ and ________
human
Wild life
