Repro Flashcards
What are gametes?
Reproductive cells
What does fertilization produce?
Zygote
What are gonads?
Reproductive organs that produce gametes and hormones
What are gubernaculum testis?
Cord of connective tissue and muscle fibers that extend from inferior part of each testis to posterior wall of a small inferior pocket of peritoneum. As development proceeds, testis are held in position
What happens in the 7th month of production in males?
Hormones cause contraction of gubernaculum testis and changes their relative position. This is descent of testes
After descent of testes, BVs, vas deferens, and nerves stay in what?
Spermatic cord
What are inguinal canals?
Narrow canals linking scrotal chambers with peritoneal cavity
Perineal raphe length
Middle of peritoneum from anus, across scrotum, and along anterior surface of penis
What does scrotal cavity separate?
Inner surface of scrotum from outer surface of testis
What is tunica vaginalis?
Serous membrane that lines scrotal cavity covering outside of testis. Reduces friction
What does tunica albuginea form?
It is directly on testis and forms septa
What does the scrotum consist of?
Thin layer of skin and superficial fascia
Describe dartos muscle
Smooth muscle always in tonic contraction underlying scrotum making wrinkled appearance. Assists in elevation
Describe cremaster muscle
Skeletal muscle that elevates testis.
When does contraction of cremaster occur?
During sexual arousal and response to changes in temp
What nerves supply the scrotum?
Hypogastric plexus
What three arteries supply the scrotum?
Internal pudenal artery (from internal iliac), external pudenal ( femoral a), and cremaster branch of inferior epigastric artery (from external iliac a)
What best defines the mediastinum of testes?
Septa created by tunica albuginea
Septa partition testis into
Lobules
What are present in lobules?
Seminiferous tubules
Where does sperm production occur?
Seminiferous tubules
Go from septa to efferent ductules
Septa, lobules, seminiferous tubules, straight tubules, rete testis, efferent ductules
What does the straight tubule enter?
Mediastinum of testis
What are rete testis formed by?
Interconnected straight tubules
What connects rete testis to the epididymis?
Efferent ductules
What is another name for leydig cells?
Interstitial cells
Where are leydig cells?
In loose connective tissue in external spaces between tubules
What is the function of leydig cells?
Produce androgens
What is spermatogenesis?
Process of producing sperm cells beginning at outermost layer of cells in seminiferous tubules
How many spermatids do we get per spermatocyte?
4
What is spermatogonia?
Most outer layer cells in seminiferous tubules. Undergo mitosis as stem cells to begin spermatogenesis. These form during embryonic development but are dormant until puberty
What is difference between meiosis and mitosis?
Meiosis makes individual and mitosis makes multiple pairs
Are primary spermatocytes haploid or diploid?
Haploid
What does primary spermatocyte go through to produce secondary spermatocyte?
Meiosis I
What does secondary spermatocyte go through to produce spermatids?
Meiosis II
What is the process of turning spermatids into spermatozoa called?
Spermiogenesis
Leydig cells make testosterone in response to which hormone?
Luteinizing hormone
What hormones stimulate spermatogenesis?
Testosterone and FSH
What are spermatocyte undergoing meiosis called?
Spermatogonia
What are spermatids in during Spermiogenesis?
Nurse cells
What marks the end of Spermiogenesis?
Detachment of sperm cell from nurse cell into lumen of seminiferous tubules
How long does Spermiogenesis take?
9 weeks
How does nurse cells maintain blood testis barrier?
Tight junctions. Isolate lumen portion of seminiferous tubules from surrounding interstitial fluid
What is the lumen portion of the seminiferous tubules rich in?
Potassium, androgens, estrogens, amino acids
What are nurse cells stimulated by?
FSH and testosterone
What is inhibin?
Secreted by nurse cells it depresses FSH and GnRH allowing faster amount of sperm production
What does androgen binding protein do?
Secreted by nurse cells it elevates androgens in tubules stimulating Spermiogenesis
What does the head of a spermatozoa contain?
Acrosomal cap. Which has enzymes involved in fertilization
What does the neck of a spermatozoon contain relating to mitosis?
Centrioles of original spermatids
What does the middle piece have that contributes to moving the flagella?
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are located in what region of the spermatozoon?
Neck
What is the primary source of nutrient for spermatozoon?
Fructose
What are structure the spermatozoon does not have?
ER, Golgi, lysosomes, perioxsosomes
What is the lumen of the epididymis lined with?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
What part of the epididymis receives spermatozoa from efferent ducts?
Head
What part of the epididymis is involved in sperm storage?
Tail
How does epididymis adjust composition of fluid produced by seminiferous tubules?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium increase surface area for reabsorption and secretion into tubular fluid
How long does it take for spermatozoa to pass through epididymis?
2 weeks
When spermatozoa reaches epididymis what best describes its maturity?
Physically mature but functionally immature