Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the two specialized type of tissues that each testis is made up of ?
Seminiferous tubules
Interstitial cells of Leydig
What are seminiferous tubules ?
Concerned with sperm formation and contain two type of cells
What are the two type of cells in seminiferous tubules ?
The cells concerned with spermatogenesis (spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids)
Sertoli cells that are large cells located among the germinal cells
What is the function of interstitial cells of Leydig ?
Synthesis and secretion of the testicular androgen (testosterone )
What is the function of Sertoli cells?
The spermatids mature in deep folds in these cells (sometimes called nurse cells)
Forms a blood-testis barrier
What are the factors affecting spermatogenesis ?
Hormones
Temperature
Extrinsic factors
What are the hormones that affect spermatogenesis ?
Anterior pituitary gonadotropins - FSH, LH
Testosterone
What is the function of FSH ?
Maintain the spermatogenic epithelium and development of the Sertoli cells
Facilitate the last stages of spermatid maturation
Promote the production of ABP
What is the function of LH ?
Stimulates the secretion of testosterone from the interstitial cells of leydig
What is testosterone essential for ?
Maturation of spermatids into spermatozoa in the Sertoli cells
What is the effect of temperature on spermatogenesis ?
What are the extrinsic factors that affect spermatogenesis?
What is the action of testosterone and other androgens on the testes ?
Testosterone along with FSH is essential for maintenance of normal spermatogenesis
What is the action of testosterone and other androgens on the secondary sex organs?
Testosterone causes growth of the secondary sex organs at puberty and maintains them afterwards
What is the action of testosterone and other androgens on the secondary sex characteristics?
Testosterone is responsible for the development and maintenance of the widespread changes that occur in boys at puberty
