Overview

Question 1

What does the scrotum do

Answer 1

It suspends testes outside the body

Question 2

What is the skin of the testes like

Answer 2

The skin is rugose and contains dartos (smooth) muscle. It has a midline raphe and is divided by a septum

Question 3

What is each testis surrounded by

Answer 3

The tunica albuginea and suspended in the scrotum to keep cool (2-3oC below core temperature)

Question 4

Where do sperm go to from the seminiferous tubules

Answer 4

The epididymis

Question 5

What do the gonads do

Answer 5

They produce gametes by spermatogenesis

Question 6

What occurs in seminiferous tubules

Answer 6

• Leydig cells (site of steroid synthesis)
• Sertoli cells (nurse cells for sperm)

Question 7

What are the gonadal hormones

Answer 7

• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
• Testosterone

Question 8

What is spermatogenesis

Answer 8

It is the development from:
- Spermatogonia
- Primary spermatocytes
- Secondary spermatocytes
- Spermatids
- Spermatozoa

Question 9

What is spermatogenesis regulated by

Answer 9

FSH and testosterone

Question 10

What is the structure of the sperm head

Answer 10

• Acrosome (contains enzymes to aid penetration of ovum)-
• Nucleus (contains genetic material)

Question 11

What is the structure of the midpiece of the sperm

Answer 11

• Contains mitochondria around filamentous core
• Provides energy for tail
• ‘Engine room’ of sperm

Question 12

What is the structure of the tail of the sperm

Answer 12

Specialised flagellum that propels sperm forward

Question 13

Describe the hypothalamic pituitary testicular axis

Answer 13

• Hypothalamus produces GnRH
• GnRH acts on anterior pituitary gonadotropes
• Anterior pituitary gonadotropes produce LH and FSH

Question 14

What does LH act on

Answer 14

Leydig cell to produce testosterone

Question 15

What does FSH act on

Answer 15

Sertoli cell to produce inhibin B

Question 16

What are the physiological effects of testosterone

Answer 16

Increases all of below:
- Growth of bone and connective tissue
- Growth of muscle and connective tissue
- Growth and development of testes, prostate, seminal vesicles, and penis
- Growth of facial, axillary, and pubic hair
- Growth of larynx
- Spermatogenesis
- Sebaceous gland size and secretions

Question 17

What is the structure of the uterus

Answer 17

• Pear-shaped, central pelvic organ for implantation of the fertilised ovum and growth of the foetus
• Anteflexed between cervix and body
• Anteverted at entry to vagina

Question 18

Where is the ovary found

Answer 18

On the lateral pelvic wall

Question 19

Where does ovulation occur into

Answer 19

The peritoneal cavity where the ovum is picked up

Question 20

What picks up the ovum

Answer 20

The fimbriated end of the uterine (Fallopian) tube

Question 21

What do female gonads produce

Answer 21

Oocytes (eggs) by oogenesis

Question 22

What occurs in the follicle

Answer 22

• Theca cells
• Granulosa cells

Question 23

What are the female gonadal hormones involved

Answer 23

• FSH
• LH
• Oestrogen and progestins

Question 25

Where does oogenesis begin

Answer 25

In the fetal stage of females. Primordial germ cells (oogonia) increased in number

Question 26

What do oogonia mature into

Answer 26

Oocytes

Question 27

What week does oocyte number reach max

Answer 27

20 weeks

Question 28

What do ovaries house

Answer 28

Germ cells (oocytes)

Question 29

What are endocrine ovaries related to

Answer 29

Latter follicles with the involvement of theca and granulosa cells. Work co-operatively to synthesis and secrete oestradiol

Question 30

What are theca cells

Answer 30

They are the superificial layer of follicle

Question 31

What receptors do theca cells have

Answer 31

LH

Question 32

What do theca cells convert

Answer 32

Cholesterol into pregnenolone

Question 33

What do theca cells later produce

Answer 33

Androstenedione and testosterone

Question 34

What are granulosa cells

Answer 34

- Deep compared to theca - Layer increases in size markedly during 1° to 2° follicle development

Question 35

What receptors do granulosa cells have

Answer 35

LH and FSH

Question 36

What do granulosa cells convert

Answer 36

Cholesterol into pregnenolone

Question 37

What do granulosa cells activate

Answer 37

Aromotase

Question 38

What does LH act on in females

Answer 38

Theca cell and granulosa cell

Question 39

What does FSH act on in females

Answer 39

Granulosa cell

Question 40

What does the theca cell produce

Answer 40

Progestins

Question 41

What does the granulosa cell produce

Answer 41

Progestins, estrogens, inhibins

Question 42

What do inhibins produce

Answer 42

Activins

Question 43

What are the effects of oestrogens

Answer 43

- Increase: - Bone growth via osteoblasts - Progesterone responses - Clotting factors - HDL - Vaginal and fallopian tube growth - Breast growth - Cervical mucus secretion - LH receptors on granulosa cells

Question 44

What are the effects of progestins

Answer 44

- Increase lobular development - Decrease milk production - Decrease endometrial growth - Increase endometrial secretions - Thicken mucosal secretions - Increase internal temp