Repro I: Male Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

The male reproductive system is composed of…

Answer 1

testes
ducts
accessory sex glands
supporting structures: penis and scrotum

Question 2

Outline sperm flow

Answer 2

Seminiferous tubules
Efferent ducts
Epididymis
Vas Deferens
Ampulla of vas deferens
Ejaculatory duct
Urethra

Question 3

What do sertoli cells do?

Answer 3

“Nurse cells”
support sperm-production
support sperm development in seminiferous tubules

Question 4

What do leydig cells do?

Answer 4

testosterone producing cells
located in connective (interstitial) tissue
between loops of seminiferous tubulues

Question 5

Spermatogenesis

Answer 5

the conversion of undifferentiated germ cells (spermatogonia) into specialized, motile sperm (spermatozoa)

Question 6

Flow of spermatogenesis

Answer 6

1. spermatagonia
2. primary spermatocyte
3. secondary spermatocyte
4. spermatid
5. sperm cell

Question 7

Spermiogenesis

Answer 7

differentiation of spermatids into sperm

Question 8

spermiation

Answer 8

release of mature spermatozoa from sertoli cells into lumen of seminiferous tubule

Question 9

capacitation

Answer 9

final maturation of the sperm occurring within the female reproductive tract, triggered by secretions from the uterus

Question 10

Why is the hyperactivation of a sperm tell during capacitation important?

Answer 10

hyperactivation required to penetrate the matrix surrounding oocyte

Question 11

What is the hyperactivation of the sperm tail triggered by?

Answer 11

Ca2+ influx as a result of increase of progesterone from female acting on sperm

Question 12

What is the function of the ejaculatory duct, prostatic urethra, membranous urethra, and spongy urethra?

Answer 12

transport

Question 13

What is the function of the ductus deferens and ampulla of the ductus deferens?

Answer 13

storage and transport

Question 14

What is the function of the epididymis?

Answer 14

maturation and storage

Question 15

What are the accessory glands of the male reproductive system?

Answer 15

seminal vesicle
prostate gland
bulbourethral gland

Question 16

What do the seminal vesicles secrete?

Answer 16

viscous seminal fluid containing fructose, prostaglandins, fibrinogen

Question 17

What role does fructose play for sperm?

Answer 17

fuel for glycolysis for ATP production

Question 18

What role does prostaglandins play for sperm?

Answer 18

contribute to sperm viability, motility, and transport

Question 19

What role does fibrinogen play for sperm?

Answer 19

aids coagulation of semen in female reproductive tract

Question 20

What does the prostate gland secrete?

Answer 20

thin seminal fluid with a slightly acidic pH, proteolytic enzymes, and seminal plasmin

Question 21

Why does the prostate secrete thin seminal fluid that is slightly acidic in pH?

Answer 21

slightly acidic pH is due to citric acid used for ATP production

Question 22

What do proteolytic enzymes do for sperm?

Answer 22

break down clotting proteins from seminal vesicles

Question 23

What role does seminalplasmin play?

Answer 23

an antibiotic that destroys bacteria

Question 24

What does the bulbourethral gland secrete?

Answer 24

mucous-like fluid containing mucous with an alkaline pH (basic/high)

Question 25

What role does mucous play for sperm?

Answer 25

minimizes damage to sperm during ejaculation

Question 26

What is the purpose of the alkaline pH of the fluid from the bulbourethral gland?

Answer 26

protects sperm from acids in urine