Reproduction Flashcards
Which structure are included in the male reproductive system?
Penis Scrotum Testes Epididymis Vas deferens Prostate Seminal vesicles
What is the function of the epididymis?
Transports and stores spermatozoa that are produced by the testes, stimulates maturation process of sperm
How does sperm enter the vas deferens from the epididymis?
Sexual arousal, contractions force the sperm into the vas deferens
Describe the location of the epididymis?
Long coiled tube that resides on the posterior surface of each individual testicle
What is the Vas deferens?
Muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity posterior to the bladder, transporters MATURE sperm to the URETHRA in preparation for ejaculation
Where is the spermatic cord formed?
Formed at the deep inguinal ring
What is found within the spermatic cord?
Testicular artery, pampiniform plexus, autonomic and GF nerve, lymph vessels.
What is the function of the bulbourethral gland?
Glands produce a transparent lubricating fluid that empties directly into the urethral glands. Fluid lubricates the urethra and neutralises residual acidity
Where is the bulbourethral gland located?
Laterally besides the urethra, inferior to the prostate gland
What is the function of the testes?
Responsible for the synthesis of testosterone by Ledydig cells, in response to LH.
Site of spermatogenesis
Which cells produce testosterone?
Leydig cells
Which coiled masses of tubes are encapsulated by the testes?
Seminiferous tubules
Why do the testes side outside the body?
Regulates optimum temperature to facilitate spermatogenesis
What are seminal vesicles?
Sac like capsules that attach to the vas deferens besides the base of the bladder
Seminal vesicles produce seminal fluid that provides sperm with a source of energy to facilitate movement
Where are the seminal vesicles located?
Attach to the vas deferens besides the base of the bladder
What does seminal fluid contain?
Fructose, citric acid, bicarbonate, fibrinogen, fibrinolytic enzymes
What is the function of seminal fluid?
neutralises the acidic environment
Fibrinolytic enzymes enable passage of sperm (Prevents clot formation)
Nourishes sperm
What are the two functional parts of the testes?
The seminiferous tubules and leydig cells.
Where is the main site of spermatogenesis within the testes?
Seminferous tubules
Which two cell types are present within the seminiferous tubules?
Sertoli cells Germ cells (spermatogonia)
What is the function of Sertoli cells?
Provide nutritional and hormonal support to facilitate development of spermatogonia into spermatozoa
Secretes activin, inhibin and ABP
What structure arises from the seminiferous tubules?
Epididymis
Where do leydig cells reside?
Between the seminiferous tubules
Which hormone activates and binds onto Leydig cells?
Lutenising hormone (LH)
Which is the primary artery that supplies the testes?
Left /right testicular artery arises from the aorta
Which artery supplies the vas deferent?
Internal iliac artery
What is the lymphatic drainage of the testes?
Para-aortic lymph nodes
Which nervous supply controls ejaculation?
Sympathetic
Which nervous supply controls erection?
Parasympathetic
Which neural supply innervates the vas deferens?
Parasympathetic
Which vasodilator is released from parasympathetic innervation of the vas deferns?
Nitric oxide
What effect does nitric oxide release have on the Vas Deferens?
Smooth muscle relaxation in the penile arteries, and closure of venous outflow from venous
What is the term for erectile tissue?
Corpus cavernous
muscles help sustain the erection, contact in the penis to prevent blood flow to the tissue during reversal
What is the corpus spongiosum?
During erection to prevent urethra from pinching closed. Maintains the urethra as a viable channel for ejaculation
Remains pliable during erection, whilst the corpora cavernous penis becomes engorged with blood
Which cavity are the ovaries located within?
Peritoneal cavity
Where does fertilisation occur?
Ampulla
How is the uterus supported?
Supported by the tone of the pelvic floor (elevator ani & coccyges), and ligaments *Broad, round and uterosacral)
Where does the corpus of the uterus open into?
Opens into the vagina
Why does the corpus has the ability to expand?
Expands to hold a developing baby
Where does the sperm and menstrual blood leave the female reproductive tract?
Channel through the cervix
Where is the site of oogenesis?
Ovaries
What does the vagina connect?
Canal that connects the cervix to the external body surface
What is the function of lactobacillus in the vagina?
In response to oestrogen, epithelial cells convert glycogens to lactic acid (Reduces infection) pH <4.5
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
Provides a passage for the ova to travel from the ovaries to the uterus
Where does conception typically occur within the female reproductive tract?
Fallopian tubes
Where does implantation of a fertilised egg occur?
Within the uterus lining
What is the function of fimbria?
Capture the released secondary oocysts from the ovaries, cilia and spiral muscles stimulate the movement of the oocyte to the central components
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Occurs whereby the fertilised egg is implanted elsewhere from the uterus
Which uterine layer lines the uterus?
Endometrium
What is the function of the endometrium lining?
Specialised layer of epithelial mucous membrane, lining the uterus thickens during the mensural cycle in preparation for embryo implantation
What effect does a progesterone reduction have on the endometrium?
Reduction in progesterone causes shedding of the endometrium lining stimulated by ischaemia and necrosis, vasoconstriction of arterioles causes reduction of blood flow
Which artery supplies the ovaries?
Ovarian arteries branched from the aorta
Which artery supplies the uterus, vagina?
Uterine arteries derived from the internal iliac artery
What is the lymphatic drainage of the ovaries?
Para-aortic
Which hormone influences the secretion of cervical mucous?
Luteinising hormone
What is the function of cervical mucous?
Prevents pathogenic entry, in addition to facilitate the transport of sperm towards the Fallopian tubes.
Where is a smear test conducted from?
Cells taken from the external os.
What phase are primary oocytes in pre-puberty?
Prophase 1
What happens to primordial follicles as age progresses?
Undergoes atresia
Where are diploid spermatogonia produced?
Edge of the somniferous tubules in the testis, undergoing mitosis and meiosis to produce haploid spermatids
During meiosis what is the fate of primary spermatocytes?
Primary spermatocytes divide to form haploid secondary spermatocytes
What is the fate of secondary spermatocytes?
During meiosis II, haploid secondary spermatocytes divide during meiosis II to form spermatids
Which receptors are located on Leydig cells?
LH receptors
Why is the cytoplasm of leydig cells pale?
Attributed to cholesterol content
What effect does LH on Leydig cells?
Stimulate testosterone synthesis
Binds to specific G protein coupled receptors, linked to adenyl cyclase, increasing cAMP production. StAR protein transporting cholesterol to inner mitochondria membrane to initiate steroidgenesis
What is the function of the StAR protein?
Transpors cholesterol to the inner mitochondrial membrane to initiate steroid genesis
What feedback loop does testosterone stimulate?
Negative feedback inhibition of the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular axis
Inhibits LH secretion from gonadotrophs within the anterior pituitary
What is the function of androstenedione?
Enhances the production of testosterone
What is DHEA?
Bio intermediate for androgen and oestrogen sex steroids
How are androgens converted into oestrogens?
Aromatisiation
Androgens can be aromatised by aromatase enzyme into oestrogens
Which cells secrete testosterone?
Leydig cells
Which cells stimulate spermatogenesis?
Sertoli cells
Which factors act on Sertoli cells?
FSH
testosterone
What regulatory peptide hormones are secreted by Sertoli cells?
Activin and inhibin
Where are Sertoli cells located?
Within the seminiferous tubules
What are the four main functions of Sertoli cells?
1) Assists movement of spermatogonia to tubular lumen
2) Transfer nutrients from capillaries to developing germ cells
3) phagocytosis of damaged germ cells
4) Secretion now nutrients and hormonal support to facilitate development of spermatogonia into spermatozoa