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RGU Exam 3 > Male Reproductive Physiology > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Sperm is made in what portion of the testes?

A
  • Testis
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2
Q

Where in the testis is sperm stored?

A
  • Epididymis
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3
Q

Cremasteric Reflex

A
  • Stroking inner thigh and producing testicular elevation
  • Lack of reflex suggestive of testicular torsion
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4
Q

Testis Physiology

A
  • Where sperm are made
  • Almost 1,000 coiled seminiferous tubules

*ea. 0.5M in length

*sperm forming

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5
Q

Epididymis

A
  • Where sperm is stored
  • 6M long
  • Sperm travels from to vas deferens then ampulla of vas deferens and then to prostate gland
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6
Q

Sperm Pathway

A
  • Testis ⇒ Epididymis ⇒ Vas deferens ⇒ Ampulla of vas deferens ⇒ Prostate gland
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7
Q

Seminal Vesicles

A
  • Empty into prostatic end of ampulla
  • Ampulla + seminal vesicle empty into the ejaculatory duct

*ejaculatory duct to prostate to internal uretrha

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8
Q

Spermatogenesis in the embryo

A
  • Primordial germ cells migrate to testis become spermatogonia (immature germ cells) in seminiferous tubules
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9
Q

Sperm Mitotic Division

A
  • Occurs after puberty (teen years)
  • Meiosis
  • Primary spermatocytes ⇒ secondary spermatocytes ⇒ Spermatids ⇒ Mature sperm (spermatozoae)
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10
Q

Spermatogenesis Trigger

A
  • Occurs during pubery until old age
  • Stimulation of seminiferous tubules by anterior pituitary gonadotropic hormones
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11
Q

FSH stimulates what in the male reproductive tract

A
  • Sertoli cells
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12
Q

Sertoli cells are stimulated by what hormone?

A
  • FSH
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13
Q

Luteinizing hormone stimulates what in the male reproductive tract

A
  • Leydig cells to secrete testosterone
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14
Q

What hormone stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone?

A
  • LH
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15
Q

Migration of spermatogonia into the sertoli cell layer

A
  • Sertoli cells: surround the spermatogonia
  • Spermatogonia ⇒ primary spermatocytes ⇒ meiosis ⇒ secondary spermatocytes ⇒ spermatids ⇒ spermatozoa
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16
Q

Spermatogonia to sperm timeframe

A
  • 74 days
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17
Q

Anatomy of Sperm

A
  • Mature sperm contain hyalouronidase and proteolytic enzymes that allow it the sperms DNA to gain access into the ovum
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18
Q

Sperm velocity/motility

A
  • 1-4 mm/min
  • Movement enhanced by an alkaline/neutral pH environment
  • Acidic environment can cause sperm death
  • Increased temp. increases sperm activity, can cause death due to increased metabolism
19
Q

Testosterones function in male reproductive physiology

A
  • Secreted by Leydig cells upon stimulation from LH
  • Enhance growth and division of germinal cells in testes
20
Q

Leydig Cells

A
  • Present in newborn male infant for first few months
  • Not present in childhood, but then are again present in adult male post puberty
  • Secrete testosterone which enhances growth and division of germinal cells in testes
  • LH from ant. pituitary stimulates
21
Q

Sertoli Cells

A
  • Stimulated by FSH secreted from ant. pituitary
  • Conversion of spermatids to sperm
  • Estrogens: formed from testosterone by sertoli cells upon FSH stimulation
  • Growth hormone stimulates metabolism and spermatogonial proliferation
22
Q

Sperm maturation from seminiferous tubules to epididymis

A
  • During this time they are NON-MOTILE
  • They become motile in the epididymis over the next 18-24hrs…capability of motility
  • Inhibitory proteins are still present minimizing post ejaculatory motility
23
Q

Sperm capability of motility is inhibited by

A
  • Inhibitory proteins
24
Q

Storage of sperm

A
  • Stored in 2 testes = 120 million sperm formed daily
  • Stored in suppressed state
  • Post ejaculation sperm become MOTILE VIA MATURATION
25
Q

Sertoli cells and epithelium nutrient fluid

A
  • Sertoli cells and epithelium secrete special nutrient fluid that is essential for maturation
  • Contains:

*testosterone

*estrogens

*enzymes

*nutrients

26
Q

Seminal vesicles secretions

A
  • Contents are released into ejaculatory duct during emission
  • Fructose
  • Citric acid
  • Nutrients
  • Prostaglandins
  • Fibrinogen
27
Q

Prostaglandins role in male reproductivity

A
  • Aid in fertilization
  • React w/ cervical mucous enhancing sperm movement
  • Causing reverse peristalsis of uterine tissue and fallopian tubes, thus enhancing sperm access towards ovaries
28
Q

Prostate gland function

A

Secretes:

  • Calcium
  • Citrate
  • Phosphate
  • Clotting enzyme
  • Profibrinolysis
  • Alkaline secretions (acid phosphatase)
29
Q

Semen Composition

A
  • Fluid + sperm

*10% vas deferens

*60% seminal vesicles

*30% prostate

*trace from Cowper’s gland (bulbourethral gland)

  • pH = 7.5
30
Q

Sperm Coagulum

A
  • Holds secretions in place then dissolves in ~half an hour
31
Q

Capacitation of Spermatozoa

A
  • Activating/preparing the sperm to penetrate the ovum
32
Q

Process of sperm maturaion in the female reproductive tract

A
  • Capacitation
  • Sperm is deposited in the female reproductive tract
  • Inhibitory factors are removed by the female tract
  • Separation of cholesterol from the sperm acrosome

*acrosomal membrane weakens

  • Acrosomal increase in calcium permeability

*increased motion of sperm flagellum

  • Enzyme release from acrosome to begin fertilization/acrosome reaction
  • Penetration of granulosa layer
  • Zona pellucida reaction

*Ca++ release from granules; block new sperm

  • Fertilization
  • Embryo w/ 46 chromosomes
33
Q

Where does sperm attach on the ovum?

A
  • Granulosa cell layer
34
Q

What does the acrosome contain?

A
  • Hyaluronidase and proteolytic enzymes
35
Q

What does the acrosome bind to?

A
  • Zona pellucida

*initiates zona pellucida reaction; locking out of addtional spermatids

36
Q

Disease which affects seminiferous tubules

A
  • Mumps
37
Q

Causes of abnormal sperm formation/infertility in males

A
  • Diseases which affect seminiferous tubules

*mumps; causes tubules to swell causing ischemia in the area making sperm not form well

  • Excessive temp. of the testes
38
Q

Scrotal function

A
  • Temp control for spermatogenesis
  • Keep seminiferous tubules 2 degress Celsius below body core temp.
  • Cremasteric reflex adjusts scrotal height
39
Q

Cryptorchidism

A
  • Failure of a testicle to descend
  • Testes normally descend ~3-4wks before parturition
  • Testosterone from testis stimulates testicular descent
  • Failure of testicle to descend can lead to sterility, neoplasms (?)
40
Q

Sperm count per ejaculate

A

- Volume of ejaculate ~3.5ml

- 120 million sperm in 1.0 ml

  • Range may normally vary from 35-200 million
  • Typical ejaculate is ~400 million

- <20 million = infertility

41
Q

Cryptorchidism hormonal treatment

A
  • hCG
42
Q

Penis Glans nerve tract

A
  • Pudendale nerve ⇔ sacral plexus ⇔ sacral spinal cord ⇔ brain
43
Q

Stages of penile erection

A
  • Parasympathetics trigger
  • Arteriolar vasodilation
  • Venous outflow occlusion
  • Pressure in the corporae cavernosae
  • Nitric oxide/VIP/acetylcholine all aide in vasodilation
44
Q

Emission and Ejaculation Control

A
  • Sympathetics T12-L2
  • Hypogastric/pelvic sympathetics
  • The above produce emission…preparation of ejaculate
  • Ejaculation due to contraction of ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus muscles

RGU Exam 3 (19 decks)

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