Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Describe Tunica Albuginea.
-continuous w/ CT (dense)
-sep seminiferous tubules & mediastinum (rete testis)
-surrounds testis
-under visceral vaginal tunic
Describe the layers of the testis.
- Parietal tunic = attached to CT of scrotum (stays w/ animal upon neutering)
- Visceral vaginal tunic = mesothelium + CT
-surrounds the epididymis & is removed during neutering - Tunica albuginea = dense CT under visceral vaginal tunic (also removed)
Describe seminiferous tubules.
-lined by spermatogenic epithelium & serotoli cells
-spermatogenic epithelium surrounded by lamina propria of collagen & elastic fibers
-interstitial (leydig) cells = located between seminiferous tubules
-spermatozoa in lumen are immobile
Describe Sertoli cells.
-line seminiferous tubules
-support spermatogenic cells
-secrete seminiferous tubular fluid
-protect via tight junctions spermatids from immune system
-hormone production:
>release ABP in response to FSH to increase testosterone in ST
>synthesize APMD in embryo to prevent formation of female genitalia
>release inhibin to suppress FSH (neg feedback)
Describe the spermatocyte-sertoli interaction.
Sertoli cells are in contact with each
other
• Tight junctions divide seminiferous
epithelium into basal and adluminal
compartments
• Spermatogonia reside in
basal compartment
• Early spermatocytes pass through
Sertoli cell barrier into adluminal
compartment (isolated from blood)
• Immune system
recognises spermatids as
foreign
Describe Interstitial/Leydig Cells.
Occur in clusters between seminiferous
tubule
• Nucleus is small, round, dark, eccentric
• Cytoplasm is very eosinophilic (due to SER and MT, few ribosomes) and often foamy due to presence of lipids
• Secrete TESTOSTERONE (also estrogens in boars)
• Controlled by ICSH = Interstitial Cell
Stimulating Hormone (aka luteinizing
hormone LH)
What are the 10 steps of the spermatic pathway?
- Seminiferous tubules
- Straight tubules
- Rete testis (mediastinum)
- Efferent ductus
- Epididymus
6,7,8. Epididymus head,body,tail - Ductus (Vas) deferens
- Urethra
Describe the Epididymus.
-long coiled tube surrounded by CT
-epididymal duct
-lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
-increase absorption of fluid
-secrete proteins & lipids
-site of sperm maturation (head/body) & storage (tail)
Describe ductus deferens (vas deferens).
-lined by psuedostratified columnar with stereocilia
-prominent muscularis -> peristatic contractions that propel spermatozoa
-forms a male accessory gland “ampulla” in ruminants/stallions
Describe testosterone.
-made by interstitial cells
-maintain spermatogenesis
-secondary male characteristics & libido
-androgenic effects = male accessory glands
-anabolic effect = growth of skeletal muscle/bones
Describe intratesticular ducts.
-straight tubules, rete testis, efferent ductules
-epithelium varies
What are the 4 accessory sex glands?
- Vesicular/seminal glands or vesicles
- Ampullary gland
- Bulbourethral glands
- Prostate gland
Function: add to semen to promote fertilization
*epithelium varies
*all glands are tubuloalveolar
Describe Vesicular Glands (Seminal Vesicles).
not in carnivores
-make fructose = source of energy for sperm
Describe prostate.
-surrounds urethra
-fibroelastic capsule
-branched
-buffer = neutralize acidity
-glandular tissue surrounded by fibromuscular stroma = multi lobed
Describe bulbourethral glands.
-empty into urethra
-mucous secretion = lube in urethra
