Male Reproductive Histology

Question 1

what structure produces sperm, synthesizes and secretes androgens

Answer 1

testes

Question 2

what structures form the educt system that transports sperm

Answer 2

epididymus, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra

Question 3

what structures contribute fluid secretions to semen and provide nutrients to ejaculated sperm

Answer 3

accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands)

Question 4

the testis are enclosed in the ______ _____ that thickens to form the ________ where the rete testis are located

Answer 4

enclosed in the tunica albuginea

thickens to form the mediastinum

Question 5

a network of spaces contained within the CT of the mediastinum that exists between the tubulus rectus and the ductuli efferentes

Answer 5

rete testis

Question 6

the seminiferous tubules consist of a central lumen lined by a specilized seminiferous epithelium made up of

Answer 6

somatic sertoli cells and sspermatogenic cells

epithelium is surrounded by a lamina propria (multilayered CT, collagen , 3-5 layers of myoid cells)

leydig cells found between seminiferous tubules

Question 7

somatic columnar sertoli cells interact with what three cell types

Answer 7

spermatogonia (mitotic)
spermatocytes (meiotic)
spermatids (haploid, undergoing spermiogenesis)

Question 8

the seminiferous epithelium houses what types of nuclei (4)

Answer 8

nuclei of spermatogonia and sertoli cells (closely associated with tubular walls)
spermatogonial cells - larger nuclei and clumps of chromatin
early spermatids
late spermatids

Question 9

functions of sertoli cells

Answer 9

support, protect, and nourish developing spermatogenic cells
eliminate residual bodies via phagocytosis (discarded by spermatids during spermiogenesis)
release of mature spermatids into lumen of tubule (spermiation)

Question 10

at the basolateral domain, sertoli cells have tight junctions that create basal and adluminal compartments
the basal compartment houses spermatogonial cells in ______, allowing greater acces to nutrients and signaling molecules
the adluminal compartments establish a ____-_____ barrier that protects developing spermatopcytes and spermatids from autoimmune reactions

Answer 10

niches

blood-testes barrier

Question 11

where can leydig cells be found

Answer 11

in the intertubular space
close to blood vessels and lymphatic channels

they are steroid producing cells so they contain lipid droplets, mitchondria with tubualr cristae and well devloped sER

Question 12

diploid cells that reside in a niche of basal compartments of sertoli cells

Answer 12

spermatogonia

Question 13

difference between type A and type B spermatogonia

Answer 13

type a: oval, euchromatic nucleus and nucleolus attached to the nuclear envelope
type b: round nucleus, masses of heterochromatin attached to nuclear envelope and central nucleolus