Male Reproductive Histology Flashcards
What is a unique histological feature of Sertoli cells?
They span the entire height of the epithelium in the seminiferous epithelium.
Where do the most primitive spermatogenic cells lay within the seminiferous epithelium?
Sit on the basal lamina, as they move towards the lumen they will undergo meiotic divisions.
What type of cell are Sertoli cells and what is their function?
Tall, branched columnar cells that rest on the basement membrane. Protect the developing spermatids.
What chemical do the Sertoli cells respond to?
FSH
What cell type makes up the bulk of the cells that are seen in semineferous epithelium?
Primary spermatocytes.
What is the function of the blood-testis barrier?
To keep the developing sperm isolated from the immune system.
What is Sertoli cell only syndrome?
Spermatogenic cells are absent. Individuals are infertile. Leydig cells have reinke crystalloids.
What are the genetic features of primary spermatocytes?
Diploid for number of chromosomes but tetraplloid for DNA. (46, 4n)
What marks the formation of secondary spermatocytes?
End of first meiotic division
What phase of meiosis do primary spermatocytes spend a majority of their time in?
Prophase. About 22 days.
What is the genetic features of secondary spermatocytes?
Haploid for chromosome number but diploid for DNA.
What is the result when secondary spermatocytes undergo a second meiotic division?
Formation of spermatids. Small cells with heterochromatic nuclei. Located close to the lumen.
Late spermatids or spermatozoa are located where?
In the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Have long flagella.
What happens in the Golgi phase of spermiogenesis?
Centriole migration and proacrosome formation.
What happens in the cap phase of the speriogenesis?
Flagella begins to grow out for centriole, acrosomal vesicles appears.
What happens in the acrosomal phase?
The other centriole begins to form fibrous rings that surround the axoneme. Band of microtubules surround the nucleus forming the manchette.
What happens in the maturation phase of spermiogenesis?
The nucleus flattens and elongates, Mt migrate in, residual body is phagocytozed, sperm is released into the lumen.
What is primary ciliary dyskinesia?
No dynein arms connecting the cilia making the axonemes.
Name the structures the sperm passes through on its way out from the seminiferous tubules
Straight tubules/ rete testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, ductus deferens.
What type of cell is characteristic of the straight tubules/ rete testis?
Low cuboidal
What type of cell is characteristic of the efferent ductules?
Tall ciliated columnar and low cuboidal.
What type of cell is characteristic of the epididymis?
Pseudostratefied ciliated columnar
Where would the best place be to take a sperm sample for IVF?
From the tail of the epididymis. Guarentees mature sperm.
What is the histological marker for the prostate gland?
Corpora amylacea- can become calcified.
