Male Reproductive Histology

Question 1

What is a unique histological feature of Sertoli cells?

Answer 1

They span the entire height of the epithelium in the seminiferous epithelium.

Question 2

Where do the most primitive spermatogenic cells lay within the seminiferous epithelium?

Answer 2

Sit on the basal lamina, as they move towards the lumen they will undergo meiotic divisions.

Question 3

What type of cell are Sertoli cells and what is their function?

Answer 3

Tall, branched columnar cells that rest on the basement membrane. Protect the developing spermatids.

Question 4

What chemical do the Sertoli cells respond to?

Answer 4

FSH

Question 5

What cell type makes up the bulk of the cells that are seen in semineferous epithelium?

Answer 5

Primary spermatocytes.

Question 6

What is the function of the blood-testis barrier?

Answer 6

To keep the developing sperm isolated from the immune system.

Question 7

What is Sertoli cell only syndrome?

Answer 7

Spermatogenic cells are absent. Individuals are infertile. Leydig cells have reinke crystalloids.

Question 8

What are the genetic features of primary spermatocytes?

Answer 8

Diploid for number of chromosomes but tetraplloid for DNA. (46, 4n)

Question 9

What marks the formation of secondary spermatocytes?

Answer 9

End of first meiotic division

Question 10

What phase of meiosis do primary spermatocytes spend a majority of their time in?

Answer 10

Prophase. About 22 days.

Question 11

What is the genetic features of secondary spermatocytes?

Answer 11

Haploid for chromosome number but diploid for DNA.

Question 12

What is the result when secondary spermatocytes undergo a second meiotic division?

Answer 12

Formation of spermatids. Small cells with heterochromatic nuclei. Located close to the lumen.

Question 13

Late spermatids or spermatozoa are located where?

Answer 13

In the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Have long flagella.

Question 14

What happens in the Golgi phase of spermiogenesis?

Answer 14

Centriole migration and proacrosome formation.

Question 15

What happens in the cap phase of the speriogenesis?

Answer 15

Flagella begins to grow out for centriole, acrosomal vesicles appears.

Question 16

What happens in the acrosomal phase?

Answer 16

The other centriole begins to form fibrous rings that surround the axoneme. Band of microtubules surround the nucleus forming the manchette.

Question 17

What happens in the maturation phase of spermiogenesis?

Answer 17

The nucleus flattens and elongates, Mt migrate in, residual body is phagocytozed, sperm is released into the lumen.

Question 18

What is primary ciliary dyskinesia?

Answer 18

No dynein arms connecting the cilia making the axonemes.

Question 19

Name the structures the sperm passes through on its way out from the seminiferous tubules

Answer 19

Straight tubules/ rete testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, ductus deferens.

Question 20

What type of cell is characteristic of the straight tubules/ rete testis?

Answer 20

Low cuboidal

Question 21

What type of cell is characteristic of the efferent ductules?

Answer 21

Tall ciliated columnar and low cuboidal.

Question 22

What type of cell is characteristic of the epididymis?

Answer 22

Pseudostratefied ciliated columnar

Question 23

Where would the best place be to take a sperm sample for IVF?

Answer 23

From the tail of the epididymis. Guarentees mature sperm.

Question 24

What is the histological marker for the prostate gland?

Answer 24

Corpora amylacea- can become calcified.

Question 25

What part of the prostate does BPH normally occur?

Answer 25

Central zone.

Question 26

What part of the prostate does prostatic cancer occur?

Answer 26

Peripheral zone.

Question 27

Where are the bulbourethral glands located?

Answer 27

Superior to the perineal membrane, embedded within sphincter urethrae. Open into the spongy urethra and secrete mucus-like substance.

Question 28

What are the three layers, from superficial to deep, of the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 28

Tunica propria, basal lamina, seminiferous epithelium.