Physiology of the male reproductive system Flashcards
Where are Sertoli cells found?
Inside seminiferous tubule
How are sperm produced?
Testosterone acts on Sertoli cells to produce androgen binding protein which binds to testosterone to make sperm
FSH effect in men
Activates Sertoli cells to make sperm
LH effect in men
Stimulates Leydig cells to make testosterone
Which hormones are needed for sperm production?
FSH and LH
What effect does testosterone have on hypothalamus and pituitary?
Decreases GnRh production from hypothalamus and LH from pituitary
Where is GnRh produced?
Hypothalamus
Where is LH produced?
Pituitary
Spermatogenesis
Produces mature spermatozoa
Where do perm mature?
Epididymis and spermatic cord
Spermatocytogenesis
Germ cells undergoes meiosis to produce spermatids. Spermatogonia A goes back to beginning to undergo mitosis but spermatogonia B goes on to undergo meiosis to produce secondary spermatocytes
Spermiogenesis
Maturation and differentiation into sperm
4 phases of spermiogenesis
- Golgi phase: golgi body enzymes help form acrosome
- Acrosomal phase: acrosome condenses around nucleus
- Tail phase: centriole elongates to form tail
- Maturation phase: loss of excess cytoplasm
Spermiation
Mature spermatozoa released into lumen, stored into epididymis, motile
What are capacitated sperm?
Motile and fertile
What does FPP do?
High levels prevent glycoprotein coat degenerating
When FPP drops in female it promotes capacitation
Heparin function
Gets rid of glycoprotein coat
What increases chances of fertility?
Motility (needs to get into cervical os and out of acidic environment) and infolding of cervical cells created reservoir
Azoospermia
Absence of sperm
Retrograde ejaculation
Back into prostate
Hypogonadism
Diminished functional activity of gonads = less sex hormones
Difference between hypergonadotrophic and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Hyper is testes/ovaries
Hypo is pituitary/hypothalamus
Hypersecretion of prolactin
Inhibition of GnRH = low testosterone
Why are FSH and LH elevated in hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism?
Negative feedback
What happens to FSH and LH in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism?
Decreased
