Reproduction 1-sexual differentiation & gametogenesis Flashcards
Sexual differentiation begins at ~5-6 wks of gestation. What does Gender Determination depend on?
The presence or absence of the Sex-determining Region of the Y chromosome-SRY gene. SRY protein triggers differentiation of the gonad into testis
What does SRY protein do?
SRY protein triggers differentiation of the indifferent (bipotential) gonad into testis. It starts a cascade of events that lead to differentiation into the male reproductive system.
In a genetice male (XY), what is the significance of antimullerian hormone and what cell produce it?
Antimullerian hormone from the Sertoli cells of the testes causes Mullerian ducts to degenerate
Which cells secrete testosterone and what does testosterone promote?
Leydig cells secrete testosterone which promotes development of the Wolfian duct into male internal urogenital structures and development of male external genitalia.
Genetic females (XX) do not have the SRY gene. In the absence of SRY gene products/proteins, how do the gonads develop?
Gonads develop into ovary,W.ducts degenerate and M. ducts develop into female urogenital structures. Female external genitalia also develop. Estrogen is NOT required for differentiation, bit is needed for growth to normal size.
Testosterone itself stimulates the diff of the internal male genital tract. Testosterone undergoes peripheral activation to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). What does DHT do?
Allows differentiation of the external genitalia(penis,scrotum) and growth of the prostate gland.
DHT determines facial and body hair distribution, including male pattern baldness, and stimulates sebaceous gland activity.
Under the influence of testosterone, W. ducts grow and differentiate into :
Epididymis Vas Deferens Seminal vesicles Ejaculatory ducts. DHT directs differentiation into penis&scrotum
What do the Mullerian ducts develop into?
Fallopian tubes(Oviducts) Uterus Upper third of Vagina. External: Clitoris Labia majora & minora Lower 2/3 of the vagina
What converts testosterone to DHT are target tissues (peripheral activation)?
5 α-reductase
Testosterone: INTERNAL male genital tract DIFFERENTIATION:
Responds DIRECTLY to testosterone.
DOES NOT REQUIRE 5 Α-REDUCTASE Penis GROWTH Muscle mass Voice Spermatogenesis Libido
Testosterone: EXTERNAL male genital tract DIFFERENTIATION:
REQUIRES 5 Α-REDUCTASE
Prostate GROWTH
Male hair pattern/pattern baldness
Sebaceous glands
What increases the action of P450scc/cholesterol desmolase ?
LH increases P450scc, which catalyzes the first step in steroid synthesis from cholsterol to form pregenenolone.
5 α-reductase deficiency?
Male pseudohermaphroditism (genetic XY)
↑ serum testosterone
↓ DHT
Male phenotypically appears female. Testes secrete testosterone, but structures that require peripheral activation to DHT do not develop male phenotype.
Tx for male pseudohermaphroditism?
continue as woman: remove testes to eliminate source of testosterone, ERT, surgery for vagina, but can’t bear children.
Continue as male:supplemental androgens to complete differentiation and permit growth of external genitalia, facial hair, prostate etc. stuctures requiring peripheral activation of testosterone to DHT.
21β-hydroxylase deficiency?
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
without 21β-hydroxylase, the adrenal cortex does not synthesize mineralocorticoids/aldosterone or glucocorticoids/cortisol. Intermediates/precursors are shunted toward synthesis of adrenal androgens which are then produced in excess.
“Downhill” syntheses are blocked, intermediates shunted to androgen production →virilization in girls.
What are the symptoms of glucocorticoid deficiency?
hypoglycemia, anorexia, wt loss, nausea, vomiting, weakness.
What are symptoms of mineralocorticoid deficiency?
hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, hypotension due to decreased ECF volume. Infants with complete deficiency of these hormones would be unlikely to survive.
Cryptochordism, 80 % descend by puberty. If they do not descend by puberty, what happens?
man cannot produce sperm. Spermatogenesis occurs at ~35º or 2º below body Tº
However, the undescended testes still secrete androgens.
Sperm cells are produced in the seminiferous tubules, then where do they go?
Seminiferous tubules are continuous with the epididymis→continuous with vas deferens→enters abdominal cavity and empties into urethra.
Where do sperm undergo maturation?
epididymis! They they are expelled into vas deferens at time of ejaculation.
Sperm makes up 10% of the ejaculate, what makes up the other 90%?
Seminal Vesicles
Prostate gland
bulbourethral glands
What is BPH treated with and how does it work?
Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor that blocks peripheral activation to DHT, which stimulates growth of of prostate. Prostate cancer is 2nd most common in men.
What is Proscar?
Finasteride prescribed in 5mg doses
What is Propecia?
Finasteride prescribed in 1mg doses.
Inhibits allopecia-an additional benefit. 5α-reductase inhibitors require time to remove tropic effect of dihydrotestosterone and shrink the prostate tissue.
What are Sertoli Cells?
Provide nutrients to sperm, secrete the luminal fluid, hormones e.g. inhibin and proteins e.g. Androgen Binding Protein-concentrates testosterone in the aq luminal fluid.
Secrete antimullerian hormone.
spermatogenesis, FSH
What forms the Blood-Testes barrier?
Sertoli cells-form tight junctions with each other b/w the basal lamina/BM and the lumen.
Spermatogenesis (continuous throughout life): what is produced by the first meiotic division?
1º spermatocyte divides into two 2º spermatocytes.
Spermatogenesis: what is produced by the 2nd meiotic division?
Each 2º spermatocyte divides into 2 spermatids which will differentiate into 4 mature, haploid sperm.
What occurs during the process of differentiating into sperm cells (64days)?
lose most of cytoplasm, develop flagella, form the acrosome which contains enzymes important in fertilization.
Sperm produced in the seminiferous tubules cannot swim, how are pushed into the epididymis?
by hydrostatic pressure. In the epididymis they undergo further maturation and are stored
What do higher levels inhibit inhibit?
Inhibin, secreted by the sertoli cells inhibits FSH through negative feedback.
Hypothalamic and anterior pituitary hormones influence the functions of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. The arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus pulsatile secretion of GnRH which acts on the Ant. Pit. to secrete LH and FSH. What do FSH and LH do?
LH stimulates the Leydig cells to produce and secrete testosterone. Testosterone acts as a paracrine in the testes by reinforcing the action of FSH on Sertoli cells-they secrete inhibin and inhibits ant pit from secreting more FSH. LH and FSH are tropic to the testicular tissue
What is the effect of steroid abuse on spermatogenesis?
Large amounts of exogenous testosterone, negative feedsback to hypothalamus and ant. pit to reduce secretion of GnRH and FSH/LH. In the absence of tropic FSH/LH, the testes become small and soft, sperm production is reduced.