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Endocrine and Reproductive system > physiology of the male reproductive system > Flashcards

physiology of the male reproductive system Flashcards

1
Q

function of testes

A

make testosterone and sperm

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2
Q

epididymis function

A

transport sperm from testes to vas deferenens - maturation of sperm

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3
Q

ductus deferenes fucntion

A

muscular tube travels from epididymis to pelvic cavity - mature sperm to urethra fro ejaculation
lined by cilated epithelium

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4
Q

corpus spongeosum function

A

surround urethra and open it for ejaculation - contain blood vessels

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5
Q

corpus cavernosum function

A

contains blood vessels fro erection

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6
Q

seminal gland function

A

produce constituent ingredient of semen

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7
Q

urethra

A

tube where urine and sperm pass

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8
Q

what is the function of Sertoli cells

A

nourish developing sperm cells and act as phagocytes consuming residual cytoplasm during spermatogenesis

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9
Q

in the testes where is sperm made

A

seminiferous tubules

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10
Q

what does the basal lamina around the seminiferous tubules provide

A

structural integrity

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11
Q

what cells found between the seminiferous tubules also called interstitial cells

A

leydig cells

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12
Q

Sertoli cells function

A

support sperm production

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13
Q

leydig cells function

A

produce testosterone

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14
Q

what is HPG axis

A

hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis - as a system

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15
Q

what releases Gonadotrophin relating hormone

A

hypothalamus

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16
Q

activated by GnRH what does the pituitary release

A

FSH

LH

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17
Q

what does FSH stimulate

A

Sertoli cells

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18
Q

what does lh stimulate

A

leydig cells

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19
Q

what two things does Sertoli cells need to make ABP

A

testosterone and FSH stimulation

Androgen binding protein and testosterone combine to promote sperm production

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20
Q

what periphery effect does testosterone have

A

maintain libido
muscle and bone growth
secondary sexy characteristics
accessory gland maintenance

21
Q

what type of feedback regulates testosterone

A

negative feedback

too much stop higher supply and inhibit GnRH and LH and FSH

22
Q

what other hormone do Sertoli cell release that acts on pituitary to inhibit FSH

A

inhibin

23
Q

spermatogenesis

A

production of mature spermatozoa

24
Q

spermatocytogenesis

A

1st stage of Spermatogenesis

germ cell undergoes cell division to become immature spem/spermatid

25
Q

spermiogenesis

A

2nd stage

maturation of immature sperm to mature sperm

26
Q

two types of spermatogonia

A

A

B

27
Q

What is the function of type A spermatogonia

A

replenish pool of spermatogonium - this is why males are fertile throughout adult life

28
Q

function of type 2 spermatogonia

A

spermatogenesis - 70 days

29
Q

spermiogenesis

A

remodelling and differentiation into mature sperm

30
Q

4 stages of spermiogenesis

A

Golgi phase - Golgi body enzymes form acrosome
acrosomal phase - acrosome condense around nucleus
tail phase - centrioles elongate to form tail
maturation phase - loss of excess cytoplasm - aerodynamic

31
Q

spermiation

A

process by which mature sperm are released from sertoli

32
Q

how are sperm moved to epididymis

A

peristlallic contraction and sertoli testicular fluid

33
Q

capacitation

A

process of making sperm fertile

34
Q

what enzyme helps capacitation - produce in prostate gland

A

FPP- in seminal fluid

35
Q

what female hormone produced in female repoT helps capacitation

A

heparin

36
Q

do high levels of FPP prevent capacitation in male RT

A

yes - but after ejac the conc of FPP drops and female RT promotes capacitation

37
Q

3 adaptations of the vagina that give best chance to sperm

A

cervix only penetrable at certain times of month - watery cervical mucus
oestrogen levels high
crypts in vag ( folds of epithelial cells) create a reservoir for spermatozoa - release sperm over several hours increasing chance

38
Q

what is hypogonadism

A

diminished functional activity of the gonads ( testes and ovaries) result diminished production of sex hormones
testicular disease
disease of CNS of pituitary or hypothalamus

39
Q

what is hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism

A

issue with the testes or ovaries because testosterone isn’t secreted so levels are low so sends signal to increase so GnRH if high but testes aren’t fucnting so low testosterone still FSH ADN LH would be high

40
Q

hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism

A

low testosterone as low GnRH as problem with either hypothalamus and pituitary

41
Q

what two things can cause a blockage in the spermatic cord

A

trauma - rugby

infection - chlamydia

42
Q

what is hypospadias

A

opening of the urethra is on the underside of the pens instead of tip

43
Q

function of prolactin in what it inhibits

A

high levels inhibits testosterone and associated with reduced libido and sexual dysfunction( unable to sustain erection)

44
Q

So if someone has high FSH and LH (gonadotrophs) and low testosterone. wheres the problem?

A

Testes - therefore Hypergondaotrophic hypogonadism.

Would indicate issue with testicle – trauma, infection, CF, testicular failure

Why would FSH and LH be elevated?
Negative feedback

Note - testosterone levels could be normal-low – it takes time for testosterone to fall

45
Q

someone has
Low FSH, LH
Low Testosterone
what is the problem

A

HYPOgonadotrophic hypogonadism
issue with hypothalamus or pituitary
Would indicate issue with either hypothalamus or pituitary gland:

– Congenital (Kallmann syndrome (KS) and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)

  • Acquired (drugs, alcohol abuse, infectious lesions etc)
46
Q

36 year old male presents to fertility clinic. He and his partner have been trying to conceive for several years but have been unsuccessful. He reports feeling disinterested about sex and often experiences erectile dysfunction. He also mentions experiencing headaches over the past six months which are refractory to treatment.
Examination is normal

High Prolactin
Low testosterone
Low LH, FSH

A

Hypersecretion of prolactin (pituitary tumours, drug induced)

Leads to inhibition of GnRH – reduces LH, FSH – leading to low testosterone – leads to erectile dysfunction and low libido
Hyperprolactinemia is very rare

47
Q

what is prolactinoma and what is the knock on effect

A

So if someone has a prolactinoma, that is a tumour in the pituitary that secretes prolactin.
Prolactin has a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus so it decreases the amount of GnRH released which decreases the amount of LH and FSH and decreases the testosterone.

48
Q

what is a vasectomy

A

stops sperm getting into semen - vas deferens blocked or cut - 3 months then sperm won’t be In semen

Endocrine and Reproductive system (21 decks)

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