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Histology - Exam 3 > Male Reproductive System - Part 1 > Flashcards

Male Reproductive System - Part 1 Flashcards

1
Q

parts of male reproductive system

A
  • testes
  • epididymis + genital ducts
  • accessory reproductive glands (prostate, bulbourethral glands, seminal vesicles)
  • penis
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2
Q

development of testes

A

develop in the abdominal cavity and descend into scrotum - suspended by spermatic cords

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3
Q

function of testes

A
  • site of spermatogenesis

- testosterone production

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4
Q

describe blood supply and heat exchange mechanism of testes

A

testicular artery surrounded by venous pampiniform plexus -exchange b/w cool venous blood and warm arterial blood
-keeps testes cool

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5
Q

purpose of keeping testes cool

A

needed for sperm production

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6
Q

what is tunica vaginalis

A

serous sac derived from peritoneum - partially covers anterior and lateral surfaces

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7
Q

what is tunica albuginea

A

thick, fibrous CT capsule

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8
Q

what is tunica vasculosa

A

lies deep to tunica albuginea - highly vascular layer of loose CT

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9
Q

what is mediastinum testis

A

posterior thickening of tunica albuginea that forms incomplete CT septa
-divide organ into testicular lobules (~250)

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10
Q

describe testicular lobules

A

pyramidal shaped compartments separated by incomplete septa w/ 1-4 seminiferous tubules each

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11
Q

what are the tubules of testicular lobules embedded in?

A

highly vascular loose CT with:

  • lymphatic vessels
  • nerves
  • interstitial cells of Leydig
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12
Q

size and frequency of seminiferous tubules

A

30-70 cm long (150-250 um diameter)

1000 tubules/ 2 testes = 0.5 km for sperm production

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13
Q

describe seminiferous tubules

A

convoluted hollow tubules in testicular lobules that narrow into short, straight segments (tubuli recti) that connect w/ rete testis

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14
Q

describe walls of seminiferous tubules

A
  • thin CT (tunica propria)

- lined w/ seminiferous/germinal epithelium

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15
Q

seminiferous/germinal epithelium

A
  • 4 to 8 cell layers
  • spermatogenic cells
  • Sertoli cells
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16
Q

what do spermatogenic cells differentiate into?

A

germ cells and Sertoli cells

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17
Q

describe Leydig (interstitial) cells

A

round/polygonal acidophilic cells in interstitial areas b/w seminiferous tubules

  • large central nucleus
  • abundant sER
  • lipid droplets (cholesterol esters)
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18
Q

what may the cytoplasm of Leydig cells contain?

A

Reinke crystals (rod-shaped) - found in Leydig cell tumors

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19
Q

function of Leydig cells

A

endocrine cells - produce, secrete testosterone

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20
Q

what stimulates secretion of testosterone?

A

luteinizing hormone from pituitary gland

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21
Q

when do Leydig cells begin to secrete testosterone?

A

when they mature during puberty

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22
Q

describe Sertoli cells

A
  • tall columnar cells
  • pale, OVAL, indented nucleus
  • large nucleolus
  • lots of sER and rER
  • many mitochondria
  • many lysosomes
  • extensive Golgi
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23
Q

do Sertoli cells replicate?

A

no

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24
Q

what receptors do Sertoli cells have on their plasma membranes?

A

receptors for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

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25
7 functions of Sertoli cells
1. tight jxns w/ other Sertoli cells - division of tubules into basal/adluminal compartments; blood-testis barrier 2. support, protect, nourish spermatogenic cells 3. phagocytose excess spermatid cytoplasm 4. fructose-rich fluid production - transports spermatozoa through tubules to genital ducts 5. ABP production/secretion under FSH influence 6. inhibin production/secretion 7. testicular transferrin production/secretion
26
function of ABP
androgen-binding protein | -concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubule lumen
27
function of inhibin
inhibits synthesis and release of FSH by anterior pituitary
28
function of testicular transferrin
accepts Fe from serum transferrin - transfers to maturing gametes
29
function of blood-testis barrier
protects developing sperm cells from autoimmune reactions
30
describe connections of daughter cells during spermatogenesis
connected to each other by intercellular bridges - form a syncytium
31
what is the syncytium responsible for?
the synchronous development of germ cells in the seminiferous tubule
32
3 phases of spermatogenesis
- spermatogonial (spermatogenesis) - spermatocyte (meiosis) - spermatid (spermiogenesis)
33
describe spermatogonia
diploid (2N, 46 chromosomes) - germ cells next to seminiferous epithelium basal lamina
34
pale type A spermatogonia (Ap)
- pale staining nucleus - MITOTICALLY ACTIVE - give rise to more Ap cells or type B spermatogonia
35
dark type A spermatogonia (Ad)
- MITOTICALLY INACTIVE (in G0 phase) - dark oval nuclei (very basophilic) - can resume mitosis and produce Ap cells
36
which type of spermatogonia are radiation/chemo resistant?
Ad cells - in G0 phase
37
type B spermatogonia
- mitosis to produce primary spermatocytes - large clumps of chromatin along nuclear envelope - central nucleolus
38
what happens to primary spermatocytes as soon as they are formed?
- duplicate chromosomes (two sets of 2n DNA) | - migrate to adluminal compartment
39
what forms while the primary spermatocyte is migrating to the adluminal compartment and why?
form zonula occludens w/ Sertoli cells to maintain blood-testis barrier
40
what does the first meiotic division produce?
secondary spermatocytes - 2 x 1n DNA, 23 chromosomes, haploid (reductional division)
41
what does the second meiotic division produce?
each secondary spermatocyte divides to produce 2 spermatids (1 x 1n DNA)(no genetic material replication) - the centromere divides so that a ss chromatid goes to each cell
42
how many spermatids does each primary spermatocyte result in?
4
43
summarize spermatogenesis divisions/DNA replications
2 cellular divisions, but 1 DNA replication: - primary spermatocyte = 2 x 2n DNA - secondary spermatocyte = 2 x 1n DNA - spermatid = 1 x 1n DNA
44
where are spermatids found?
near the lumen of the seminiferous tubule
45
describe spermatids appearance
- nucleus w/ regions of condensed chromatin - centriole pair - mitochondria - free ribosomes - sER - well-developed Golgi
46
length of meiosis 1 and where it occurs
22 days for whole cell cycle - occurs in primary spermatocyte
47
leptotene
chromosomes condense
48
zygotene
homologous chromosomes (maternal + paternal) pair to form synaptonemal complex
49
function of synaptonemal complex
allows physical association of chromosomes for crossing over
50
pachytene
- chromatids become visible | - CROSSING OVER BEGINS
51
diplotene
- further chromosome condensation | - chiasmata (contacts) b/w chromatids evident
52
diakinesis
- nucleolus disappears | - nuclear envelope disintegrates
53
what phase are leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and diakinesis all a part of?
prophase I of meiosis I
54
metaphase I of meiosis I
similar to metaphase of mitosis
55
anaphase/telophase I of meiosis I
similar to mitosis except chromosomes do not split and paired chromatids stay together
56
meiosis II
- prophase II - no DNA synthesis | - metaphase II and anaphase II similar to mitosis
57
what is spermiogenesis?
cytodifferentiation process where spermatids become spermatozoa -> released into lumen of seminiferous tubule
58
4 phases of spermiogenesis
1. Golgi phase 2. Cap phase 3. acrosomal phase 4. maturation phase
59
Golgi phase of spermiogenesis?
formation of acrosomal granule + centriole migration
60
describe formation of acrosomal granule in Golgi phase
PAS(+) pre-acrosomal granules coalesce - form acrosomal granule enclosed w/i an acrosomal vesicle -becomes attached to anterior end of spermatid nuclear envelope
61
describe centriole migration during Golgi phase
- migrate away from nucleus to form flagellar axoneme | - then migrate back toward nucleus during acrosomal phase to assist in forming the connecting piece in sperm neck
62
cap phase of spermiogenesis?
- acrosomal vesicle expands and covers the anterior half of nucleus -> forms acrosomal cap - chromatin begins to condense
63
acrosomal phase of spermiogenesis - what happens w/ nucleus?
condenses, flattens, and localizes in the head region
64
acrosomal phase of spermiogenesis - what happens w/ mitochondria?
aggregate around proximal portion of flagellum - develop into middle piece of tail
65
acrosomal phase of spermiogenesis - what happens w/ spermatid?
- elongates w/ help of manchette | - chromatin transitions: histones replaced w/ protamines 1 and 2
66
what is a manchette?
temporary cylinder of microtubules
67
function of replacing histones w/ protamines?
facilitates a high order of chromatin packaging needed for sperm function
68
maturation phase of spermiogenesis?
- excess cytoplasm and intercellular bridges lost | - completed when nonmotile spermatozoa released tail first into seminiferous tubule lumen
69
during maturation phase of spermiogenesis, what is done w/ discarded materials?
phagocytosed by Sertoli cells
70
where do sperm acquire motility?
in ductus epididymis
71
describe spermatozoon head
- flattened | - dense, homogeneous nucleus w/ 23 chromosomes
72
describe spermatozoon acrosome
- contains hydrolytic enzymes | - assists sperm in penetrating the oocyte corona radiata and zona pellucida
73
what hydrolytic enzymes does the acrosome contain (4)?
- acid phosphatase - neuraminidase - hyaluronidase - proteases
74
what is enzyme release from the acrosome called?
acrosomal reaction
75
describe spermatozoon neck
-houses centrioles and connecting piece attached to 9 outer dense fibers of remainder of tail
76
describe spermatozoon middle piece
- extends from neck to annulus | - contains axoneme, 9 outer dense fibers, and spiral sheath of mitochondria
77
describe spermatozoon principal piece
- extends from annulus to end piece | - contains axoneme w/ surrounding dense fibers encircled by fibrous sheath w/ circumferentially oriented ribs
78
describe spermatozoon end piece
-contains axoneme and surrounding plasma membrane

Histology - Exam 3 (12 decks)

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