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Reproductive System > Male Reproductive Physiology > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

What is included in the male reproductive organs?

A

Testes, epididymis, ductus deferens, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland and penis

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2
Q

Describe the normal process of ejaculation

A

Sperm are created in testes
Sperm travels through vas deferens to urethra
Seminal vesicles and prostate crate semen - carried along with sperm in urethra

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3
Q

Describe the structure of the testes

A

Tunica albuginea - fibrous capsule
Seminiferous tubules - lobules
Head, body and tail of epididymis
Vas deferens

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4
Q

What are the three types of cells within the seminiferous tubules?

A

Germ cells
Sertoli/ sustentacular cells
Interstitial (Leydig) cells

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5
Q

What do germ cells produce in males?

A

Sperm

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6
Q

What do sertoli/ sustentacular cells produce?

A

Support sperm producing cells
Produce inhibin

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7
Q

What do interstitial (Leydig) cells produce?

A

Testosterone

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8
Q

What are the function of testes?

A

Sperm production
Testosterone production

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9
Q

What is the average time from production of sperm to ejaculation?

A

64 days - average cycle is 3 months
Millions of viable sperm are produced per day

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10
Q

What does testosterone production control?

A

Spermatogenesis

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11
Q

What are the reproductive hormones involved in the endocrine control of testicular function?

A

GnRH produced from hypothalamus
Gonadotrophins - FSH and LH from anterior pituitary
Testosterone from testes

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12
Q

What is the role of FSH on the testes?

A

Sperm cells facilitate spermatogenesis

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13
Q

What is the role of LH on the testes?

A

Leydig cells to produce testosterone

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14
Q

Describe the negative feedback effects in endocrine control of testes

A

Testosterone and inhibin inhibit secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus
LH and FSH inhibits by the pituitary

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15
Q

What are the 2 stages of spermatogenesis?

A

Spermatocytogenesis
Spermiogenesis

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16
Q

When does the process of spermatogenesis start?

A

Starts at puberty and is lifelong

17
Q

Describe spermatocytogenesis

A

Clonal expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic process

18
Q

Describe spermiogenesis

A

Differentiation into mature sperm cells

19
Q

What processes are involved in the clonal expansion and maturation of spermatocytogenesis?

A

1 mitotic and 2 meiotic divisions
Leads to spermatids being produced

20
Q

What is the end result of spermiogenesis?

A

Sperm which is capable for fertilisation as has acquired functional capacity

21
Q

Describe the first mitotic division during spermatogenesis

A

Spermatogonium to primary spermatocyte which has diploid chromosome number - 46

22
Q

Describe the first meiotic division during spermatogenesis

A

Primary spermatocyte to secondary spermatocyte - 2 cells with haploid chromosome number - 23

23
Q

Describe the second meiotic division during spermatogenesis

A

Secondary spermatocyte to spermatid, 2 cells with haploid chromosome number - 23

24
Q

What are the factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Medical, lifestyle or both can lead to male infertility

25
Q

What are the 2 types of medical factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Pretesticular - problem with the hormonal control
Testicular - problem at the site of production

26
Q

What can cause pretesticular medical factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Functional - weight loss or gain
Intracranial tumours, cysts or bleeds
Prolactinoma
Medications - opiates, external testosterone and steroids
Genetic - Kallmann’s syndrome

27
Q

What can cause testicular medical factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Surgery - orchidectomy and orchidopexy
STI
Mumps orchitis
Testicular trauma or torsion
RT or chemo
Genetic - Klinefelter’s and Y chromosome microdeletion

28
Q

What are some environmental/ lifestyle factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Traffic/ diesel exhaust
Occupational and chemical exposures
Sedentary position
Reduced testosterone and increased oestradiol
Obesity and smoking

29
Q

What are maternal factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Mother factors are irreversible
Obesity, persistent organic pollutants, diesel, smoking, use of cosmetics

30
Q

What are some steps to recue the impact of factors affecting fertility?

A

Improve lifestyle - BMI, smoking, alcohol, diet, occupation
Optimise underlying medical condition
Stop medications
Reduce STI risk
Fertility preservation

31
Q

What is the normal sperm count?

A

More than 15 million/ ml
Motility is more than 32% of sample

32
Q

What are clues for pretesticular causes affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Systemic illness, chemo, prolactinoma, Kallmann’s, medication/ steroid use, extreme exercise and weight gain/ loss

33
Q

What are clues for testicular causes affecting spermatogenesis?

A

STI, testes trauma or torsion, surgery, varicocele and genetic

34
Q

What are clues for lifestyle affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Heat, smoking, BMI, excessive alcohol, recreational drug use, occupation exposure to chemical, heavy metal and radiation

35
Q

What are some investigations used for male infertility?

A

BMI, genetic exam, USS testes, hormonal profile and genetic test

36
Q

What can be seen in examination for male infertility?

A

High BMI
Small testes, varicocele, surgical scar
Absence of vas deferens in CF

37
Q

What can be seen in hormonal profile for male infertility?

A

Low FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone from hypothalamus or pituitary cause - hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
High prolactin
Testicular cause - high FSH, LH but low testosterone

38
Q

What can genetic tests show in male infertility?

A

Abnormal karyotype, CF and microdeletion

39
Q

What can be shown on USS testes in male infertility?

A

Testicular volume, hydrocele, varicocele and cancer

Reproductive System (11 decks)

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