Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

APBI 312 > Male Reproductive System > Flashcards

Male Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

what are the main components of the male reproductive system? (6)

A
  • testes
  • scrotum
  • duct system
  • accessory glands
  • penis
  • prepuce and sheath
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are the main components of the duct system? (3)

A
  • epididymis
  • vas deferens
  • urethra
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are the main components of the accessory glands? (3)

A
  • vesicular
  • prostate
  • bulbourethral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

scrotum function (2)

A
  • protective covering for the testes
  • part of thermoregulatory system (maintains temperature at 5ºC lower)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

scrotum appearance

A
  • 2 lobed sac that encloses the testes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

scrotum location

A
  • located in the inguinal region between the rear legs of most species
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

scrotal circumference

A
  • measurement of the two tested and accessory tissues as a genetic selection tool
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what does scrotal circumference have a positive association with? (4)

A
  • height
  • weight
  • overall size of testes
  • spermatozoa production
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what are the main functions of the testes (2)

A
  • to produce gametes/sperm (spermatogenesis)
  • to produce sex hormones (steriodogenesis)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

how are the tested distinct from the female gonads? (2)

A
  • sperm is produced through the reproductive life
  • testes descend from the body cavity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what regulates testicular descent

A
  • endocrine regulated using testosterone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what mechanically guides testicular descent

A
  • shortening of the gubernaculum, a ligament
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

how does testicular descent vary within different species?

A
  • it varies in the time of the fetal life when the testes enter the scrotum; can be half-way through or around birth
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

cryptorchidism (3)
- definition
- affect on libido
- difference between species

A
  • a condition in which one or both of the testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum/failure of testicular descent
  • no affect on libido
  • are more common in certain species, may be due to later time of descent in fetal life
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

bilateral cryptorchidism (2)

A
  • both testes in abdominal wall cavity
  • animal is sterile
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

unilateral cryptorchidism (2)

A
  • one testes in abdominal wall cavity
  • animal is fertile
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are the causes for cryptorchidism (2)

A
  • gonadotropin deficiency
  • abnormal swelling and regression of gubernaculum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

seminiferous tubules (2)
- purpose
- location

A
  • site of spermatogenesis; the process of cells going through meiosis to become immature sperm
  • located inside the testes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

important cells of the seminiferous tubules (2)

A
  • sertoli cells
  • leydig cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

seminiferous tubules: sertoli cells (2)
- function
- location

A
  • support sperm production
  • located inside of the tubules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

seminiferous tubules: leydig cells (2)
- function
- location

A
  • produce testosterone
  • located outside the tubules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

how is sperm transported in the seminiferous tubule and what does this allow for (2)

A
  • muscle movement squeezes new sperm in the lumen toward the testes centre
  • allows for continual production of sperm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

why do the testes need a thermoregulatory system

A
  • to create the ideal temperature for meiosis and sperm production
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what mechanisms does the testes use for their thermoregulatory system? (4)

A
  • tunica dartos muscle
  • cremaster muscle
  • sweat and sebaceous gland-thermo receptors
  • pampiniform plexus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
when may the testes thermoregulatory system fail?
- under extremes of ambient temperature (frostbite or heat stress)
26
what are the results of failure of the testes thermoregulatory system?
- decreased quality and amount of sperm production
27
pampiniform plexus - definition - mechanism of function
- network of spermatic vessels involved in thermoregulatory function of the testes - counter-current heat exchange
28
how does the pampiniform plexus work in the testes thermoregulatory function (2)
- the testicular vein and testicular artery are heavily intertwined, naturally regulating the blood temperature of the other vessel - cools blood going into the testicles and warms blood going out
29
what is the importance of the spermatic cord?
- connects the testes to its life support mechanisms
30
what is the spermatic cord composed of? (5)
- smooth muscle fibres; cremaster muscle - pampiniform plexus (testicular arteries and veins) - lymph vessels - nerves and important tissue - vas deferens
31
blood-testis barrier (2) - definition - function
- a physical barrier that prevents blood/lymph vessels from penetrating the seminiferous tubules - allows gas gas exchange occurs, but blood and cells cannot pass through
32
what is the blood-testis barrier composed of? (2)
- myoid cells; contractile elements in the wall - sertoli cells; form tight junctions in membranes of adjacent cells
33
sertoli-sertoli cell junctions
- cells membranes fuse near their base to form a basal compartment and an ad-luminal compartment
34
basal compartment (2)
- makes up the outer ring of the seminiferous tubules - contains the spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes
35
ad-luminal compartment (2)
- makes up the middle ring, between the basal and lumen sections, of the seminiferous tubules - contains advanced sperm and spermatids
36
what is the significance/purpose of the blood-testis barrier? (3)
- maintains an environment that is protected and suitable for sperm development - provides endocrinological shielding - isolates sperm-specific auto antigens
37
what is the environment suitable for sperm development
- fluid environment with more glycine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, and less potassium due to protein and DNA synthesis
38
why is endocrinological shielding important (2)
- maintains a relatively slow entry of FSH and testosterone and constant buffer germ cells
39
what is the importance of isolating sperm from the blood? (2)
- haploid cells are recognized as foreign by immune system as new antigens develop during spermatogenesis - prevents an autoimmunity attack
40
epididymis (2) - definition - length
- first external duct leading away from testis - can be very long and convoluted, and varies between species
41
epididymis structure (3)
- inner layer epithelium and connective tissue - middle layer circular smooth muscle (to push sperm toward urethra) - outer layer serous membrane
42
epididymis function (4)
- transport of spermatozoa - concentration of spermatozoa - storage of spermatozoa - maturation of spermatozoa
43
epididymis function: transport (2) - how can transport be sped up - how will speed of transport affect spermatozoa
- frequent ejaculation will speed up transport by 10-20% - if transport is sped up, lower fertility sperm may be ejaculated due to insufficient time to mature
44
epididymis function: storage (2) - where is storage mainly located - sperm lifespan
- tail region - remain alive up to 60 days
45
epididymis function: maturation
- sperm entering head region are not motile or fertile, but acquire both by the time they reach the tail
46
castration
- irreversible removal of the testes resulting in infertility and decreased testosterone
47
practical applications of castration (3)
- to reduce aggressive behaviour - to meet standards for produce consumption - population control
48
burdizzo method of castration (2)
- clamp and crush spermatic cords (vas deferens and testicular vessels) - renders animal infertile though scrotal sac is unaffected
49
vas deferens (3) - location - function - composition
- duct that leads from tail of the epididymis to the urethra - passageway for spermatozoa during ejaculation - consists of 3 muscle layers for pushing sperm along
50
where do vasectomies occur?
- in the vas deferens; does not decrease testosterone but makes individual infertile
51
what is the purpose of accessory sex glands? (3)
- secretions add fluid volume to semen - add buffers, nutrients, minerals, and other substances to semen - assure optimum motility ad fertility
52
accessory sex glands: important of buffer secretions
- buffers needed to neutralize waste excreted by cell metabolisms
53
accessory sex glands: important of nutrient secretions
- cells need energy to survive after ejaculation
54
accessory sex glands: important of mineral secretions
- needed for capacitation; the capacity for the sperm to actually enter the egg
55
ampullae
- enlargement of the vas deferens that is not present in all species
56
ampullae functions (3)
- thick muscle layers contract at ejaculation to aid sperm transport - glandular tissue present fluid carrier for sperm - storage area for sperm in some species
57
vesicular glands/seminal vesicles (2)
- pair of glands - excretory ducts that enter urethra with the vas deferens
58
seminal vesicles: secretion functions (2)
- adds volumes to ejaculate; more so than other accessory glands - adds nutrients and buffers; fructose, sorbitol phosphate, carbonate ions
59
prostate gland (3)
- single gland located around and along the urethra - common to most species - two parts: bilobed and distinct or disseminate and nondistinct (portion closely associated with urethra)
60
prostate glands: secretion functions (3)
- add small volume to ejaculate - minerals for capacitation and sperm motility; sodium, chlorine, calcium, magnesium - flush and lubricate urethra prior to ejaculation
61
prostate enlargement (3) - definition - what may it cause - health effects
- enlargement of the prostate to encircle the urethra - may restrict urine flow into the urethra - causes pain, frequent urination, and health complications
62
prostate enlargement treatment (2)
- enlarge urethra surgically by removing prostate portion - treat with female sex steroids or block testosterone to prevent prostate growth
63
bulbourethral glands (2)
- pair of glands located along the far end of the pelvic urethra - not very large, but varies between species
64
bulbourethral glands: secretion functions (2)
- flush urine from urethra before ejaculation - contribute some volume to ejaculate
65
bulbourethral glands: function in bulls (2)
- gland & secretions are larger - secretion appears as white lumps due to coagulation and form a plug to prevent semen flowing back through the cervix
66
accessory glands: species
- glands are not present in all species and may have special functions in certain species
67
urethra
- joint excretory canal for both urine and semen, which extends from the bladder to the glans penis
68
urethra composition (3)
1. pelvic urethra 2. ischial urethra 3. extra-pelvic/penal urethra (not common in all species, aids in fertilization by extending past the penis)
69
glans penis: structure (3)
- softer terminal portion - less connective tissue and engorgement with blood - well supplied with sensory nerves
70
glans penis: function (2)
- contains prepuse - protects the vagina and cervix from injury during mating
71
penis
- organ of copulation
72
penis composition (3)
1. root (attached) 2. shaft (body) 3. glans (enlarged free end)
73
penis type (2)
- fibroelastic; uses sigmoid flexure - vascular: uses corpus cavernosus
74
which species have a fibroelastic penis
- bull, boar, ram
75
which species have a vascular penis
- stallion, man

APBI 312 (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions