Male Reproductive System Flashcards
In what structure does spermatogenesis occur?
Seminiferous tubules
What do Leydig cells make primarily? What hormone from the anterior pituitary are they sensitive to?
They make testosterone, sensitive to LH from the AP
Name seven things that Sertoli cells do.
- Make ABP.
- Make inhibin.
- Aromatize androgens (turn testosterone into estogen)
- Release trophic products.
- Increase LH receptors on Leydig cells (through release of trophic products).
- Promote cell division to increase the number of spermatogonia.
- Assist in sperm development.
Which cell division event in spermatogenesis begins in fetal life and continues throughout the male life span?
Mitosis that generates spermatogonia
Which cell division event in spermatogenesis begins in puberty?
Meiosis
Which meiosis stage are primary spermatocytes in? What about secondary spermatocytes?
Primary spermatocytes are in meiosis 1, secondary spermatocytes are in meiosis 2.
Have spermatids completed meiosis?
Yeah
In what structure does final maturation of spermatids occur?
Epididymis
What is a spermatozoa?
Sperm with maturing tails and acrosomes
What is a spermatocyte?
Mature sperm
What are the five stages of sperm development?
Stage 1: Spermatogonia undergo mitosis to expand the population, then they undergo meiosis to become primary, then secondary spermatocytes, and finally spermatids.
Stage 2: Spermatid moves towards the seminal canal, tail begins to develop.
Stage 3: Tail continues to develop. Spermatids are clustered in the center of the seminal canal.
Stage 4: Head becomes more streamlined.
Stage 5: Mature spermatocytes in the seminal canal are moved by gentle fluid flow towards the epididymis where the tails undergo maturation for motility.
What is involved in “final sperm maturation” in the epididymis? (name 4 things)
- Maturation of the motors and mitochondria in the sheath.
- Maturation of the acrosome.
- Gain the ability to bind to the zona pellucida.
- Cytoplasm volume decreases.
Semen production by the accessory sex glands is ________-dependent.
(hint: it is a hormone)
testosterone
60% of the seminal vesicle secretions are made up of _________ and _________.
fructose and prostaglandins
The early stages of sperm production are ________ independent.
androgen
