Male Reproductive Tract

Question 1

What do the Sertoli Cells secrete that inhibit development of female sex characteristics?

Answer 1

MIF.

Question 2

What are the layers of the Capsule of the Testes?

Answer 2

• Tunica Vaginalis (extension of abdominal peritoneum, VERY THIN)
• Tunica Albuginea (form radial septa; contain dense CT and smooth muscle to help move sperm)
• Tunica Vasculosa (contains network of blood vessels; maintain temperature)

Question 3

What cell types do the radial septa of the Tunica Albuginea contain?

Answer 3

Myoid Cells

Leydig Cells

Question 4

What cells are located within the confines of the Radial Septa? (Seminiferous tubule)

Answer 4

Spermatogonia (at the very periphery, next to septa)

Sertoli Cells (reach from septa to ‘lumen’)

Question 5

What are the functions of the Sertoli Cells?

Answer 5

• support and provide nutrients to developing sperm
• Blood-testes barrier (layers between each level of developing sperm)
• release of spermatozoa
• remove residual sperm cytoplasm
• produce androgen binding protein (maintains testosterone concentration in tubules)

Question 6

What interactions do Sertoli Cells have with each other to maintain the blood-testes barrier?

Answer 6

tight junctions

Question 7

Describe the steps of spermatogenesis.

Answer 7

Spermatogonia -> Spermatozoa

• Spermatogonia (divide via mitosis)
• Primary Spermatocytes
• Secondary Spermatocytes (no DNA synth)
• Spermatids (MARK END OF MEIOSIS II)
• Spermatozoa

Question 8

What is maintained by all the different development levels of sperm?

Answer 8

Intercellular bridges to maintain syncytium.

Question 9

What is spermiogenesis? Describe the changes.

Answer 9

The final development of spermatids into spermatozoa.

• nucleus elongates, then becomes fusiform
• acrosome forms a head-cap over nucleus
• centrioles pass to opposite poles of the cell, forming a flagellum
• mitochondria regroup around base of flagellum
• surplus cytoplasm cast off as residual body

Question 10

What compound does the spermatozoa contain to facilitate fertilization?

Answer 10

The Acrosomal head-cap contains hyaluronidase, which is released upon reaching the ovum.

Question 11

What is the function of the Leydig Cells?

Answer 11

They are acidophilic cells that produce testosterone.