Physiology of the Reproductive System Flashcards
Name the components of the male reproductive system.
- Bulbourethral gland
- Prostate gland
- Seminal vesicle
- Ductus deferens
- Epididymis
- Testis
- Scrotum
Where is the seminal fluid located?
- 5% in the bulbourethral glands
- 30% in the prostate gland
- 60% in the seminal vesicles
How much semen does the male reproductive system contain?
2-5ml
How many sperm does the male reproductive system contain?
20-200million sperm per ml of semen
Where are sperm produced?
Seminiferous tubules of the testis
What cells are sperm produced from?
Spermatogonium which produce spermatocytes which undergo meiosis to produce immature spermatids
What cells support and give nutrition to developing gametes in the male?
Sertoli cells
What are the features of the seminiferous tubules?
- 150 µm diameter, 80 cm long
- Total 300-900 m
- Join at rete testis
What is the role of the epididymis?
Sperm storage
What route do sperm take during ejaculation?
- Vas deferens (ductus deferens)
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
- Bulbourethral glands
- Urethra
What are the roles of the sertoli cells?
- Form blood-testis barrier (blood-seminiferous tubule barrier)
- Isolate haploid 2ndary spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa from immune system
- Physical movement of developing sperm towards lumen
- Provision of nutrients to sperm
- Removal of wastes from developing sperm
- Removal of excess cytoplasm following cell divisions
- Support for spermiation
Briefly describe the process of sperm production through to ejacualtion
Production 75 days in seminiferous tubules
- Spermatocytogenesis
- Meiosis
- Spermiogenesis
Storage 15 days in epididymis
-Become motile
Sexual intercourse in vagina
- Ejaculation
- Capacitation
What is the counter current heat exchange of the male reproductive system?
- Arterial blood going to the testis enters a dense network of capillaries coming from the testis and epididymis before reaching the spermatic cord
- The arterial blood is cooled by the venous blood
- Helps maintain a constant testicular temperature
What factors affect spermatogenesis?
- Testis temperature
- Endocrine
- Loss of blood-testis barrier
- Immunological reactions
- Environment
- Medication
What endocrine causes can affect spermatogenesis?
- Reduction in gonadotrophins and androgens
- Anabolic steroids