Nurse Cells

Question 1

Nurse cells have six functions that affect

Answer 1

Mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis within the seminiferous tubules

Question 2

Nurse cells maintain the blood-testes barrier

Answer 2

1. They form a layer that divides the seminiferous tubule into an outer basal compartment and an inner luminal compartment
2. Transport across the nurse cells is tightly regulated, so conditions in the luminal compartment remain very stable.
3. The nurse cells produce and regulate the fluid in the lumen of a seminiferous tubule.

Question 3

Blood testis barrier

Answer 3

1. Isolates the seminiferous tubule’s from the general circulation.
2. Prevents immune system cells from detecting and attacking the developing spermatozoa.

Question 4

The basil compartment of the seminiferous tubule contains the

Answer 4

Spermatogonia

Question 5

Luminal compartment is where

Answer 5

Meiosis and spermiogenesis occur

Question 6

How is luminal fluid different from the surrounding interstitial fluid

Answer 6

It is high in androgens, estrogens, potassium, and amino acids

Question 7

The blood testis barrier is essential in preserving the differences between

Answer 7

The luminal fluid and the interstitial fluid.

Question 8

Nurse cells support mitosis and meiosis

Answer 8

1. Circulating follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone stimulate nurse cells.
2. Stimulated nurse cells promote the division of spermatogonia and the meiotic division of spermatocytes

Question 9

Nurse cells support spermiogenesis

Answer 9

1. Spermiogenesis requires the presence of nurse cells
2. Nurse cells surround the spermatids, providing nutrients and chemical stimuli that promote their development.
3. They also phagocytize cytoplasm that is shed by spermatids as they develop into spermatozoa

Question 10

Nurse cells secrete inhibin

Answer 10

1. In response to factors released by developing spermatozoa.
2. By regulating FSH and GnRH secretion, nurse cells provide feedback control of spermatogenesis.

Question 11

Inhibin

Answer 11

1. Peptide hormone
2. Depresses the pituitary production of FSH
3. Perhaps depresses the hypothalamus secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone GnRH
4. The faster the rate of sperm production, the more inhibin is secreted.

Question 12

Nurse cells play a role in the secretion of androgen binding protein ABP

Answer 12

1. ABP binds androgens in the luminal fluid of the seminiferous tubules.
2. ABP may elevate the concentration of androgens within the seminiferous tubules and stimulating spermiogenesis.
3. ABP production is stimulated by FSH

Question 13

Nurse cells secrete Mullerian-inhibiting factor MIF

Answer 13

1. This hormone causes regression of the fetal mullerian / paramesonephric ducts
2. In males, inadequate MIF production during fetal development causes retention of these ducts and the failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum.

Question 14

mullerian / paramesonephric ducts

Answer 14

Passageways that form the uterine tubes and the uterus in females.