Male Reproductive System

Question 1

what is the first stage of male sexual development
when does it occur

Answer 1

descent of the testes
occurs at 7 months in utero

Question 2

what is the term for undescended testes

Answer 2

cryptorchidism
(say that 10 times fast)

Question 3

what is the mechanism of the descent of the testes

Answer 3

testosterone from foetal testes causes the shortening of the gubernaculum (cord of muscle that attaches testes to scrotum)

Question 4

why is the descent of the testes a significant stage in the sexual development of males

Answer 4

spermatogenesis is temperature sensitive, they must be descended to avoid body heat
males with undescended testes are unable to produce viable sperm

Question 5

what is the role of Leydig cells in the testes

Answer 5

produce testosterone

Question 6

what is the role of Sertoli cells

Answer 6

support spermatogenesis by:
nourishing developing sperm cells
regulating hormone levels
protecting sperm cells from harmful substances and immune responses

Question 7

what is the first stage of male sexual development
what is it marked by

Answer 7

puberty
marked by:
spermatogenesis
enlargement of testes and development of secondary characteristics

Question 8

describe gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion at puberty
why must it be secreted this way

Answer 8

pulsatile secretion ~1-3 hrs
continuous secretion would lead to desensitization
allows receptor binding and hormone recycling

Question 9

what are gonadotropins
how are they released

Answer 9

FSH and LH
secreted from the anterior pituitary in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
pulsatile secretion