Reproduction Flashcards
what 2 factors set human reproduction apart from animals?
mate for pleasure & procreation, females are sexually receptive outside fertile window
what 3 factors of human reproduction are similar to animals?
internal fertilization, mating/courtship rituals, internal fetal development
what is the benefit of internal fertilization?
motile, flagellated sperm remain in an aq enviro
what are 2 benefits of internal fetal development?
protects embryo from dehydration, cushioned from mech damage
what is sexual dimorphism?
physical/sexual distinction btwn males and females
what is reproduction?
perpetuation of a species via production offspring (important for species but not individual survival)
what determines the sex differentiation of the embryo?
sex hormones
what do the gonads produce?
sperm/ovum (gametes) and sex hormones
how many weeks after the production of a zygote is it considered an embryo then fetus?
embryo: 0-8 weeks
fetus: 8-birth
what are the 3 “structures” of male/female sex organs?
gonads (testes/ovaries), internal genitalia (connect gonads to ext enviro), external genitalia
what are 3 sex/steroid hormones? and ex?
androgens (testosterone, DHT), estrogen (estradiol), progesterone
t/f: androgens are only present in males, and estrogen/progesterone are only found in females
false, all are found in both males and females
what are developing gametes aka?
germ cells
how many chr do gametes contain?
23 (not in pairs, one set)
when do females vs males undergo germ cell mitosis? (primary oocyte/spermatocyte)
females: fetal development
males: embryonic stage
(both in utero)
what is a diff btwn female vs male germ cell mitosis?
female: mitosis completed before birth
males: significantly begins at puberty and continues throughout life
what is the process of female gametogenesis (include 1N, 2N, 4N)? (4)
oogonium/germ cell (2N) undergoes mitosis and begins meiosis w/ DNA repl’n to generate primary oocyte (4N) as embryo, meiosis 1 occurs at puberty generating 1st polar body and secondary oocyte (egg, 2N), egg released at ovulation, if fertilized: undergoes meiosis 2 (1N) and generates 2nd polar body and zygote (2N), unfertilized: degenerates
t/f: one primary oocyte yields 2 eggs
false, meiosis 1 of primary oocyte generates only 1 egg (polar body disintegrates)
what is the process of male gametogenesis (include 1N, 2N, 4N)? (4)
spermatogonium/germ cell (2N) begins mitosis as embryo, meiosis begins w/ DNA repl’n at puberty (mitosis continues) to generate primary spermatocyte (4N), meiosis 1 generates secondary spermatocytes (2N), meiosis 2 generates spermatids (1N) which develop into sperm
t/f: one primary spermatocyte generates 2 sperm
false, one primary spermatocyte generates 4 sperm (meiosis 1 and 2)
how many chr is 1N, 2N, and 4N?
1N: 23 chr (no pairs/homologs)
2N: 46 chr (23 pairs/homologs)
4N: 46 (sister chromatids)
what is sex chromatin/Barr body?
one X of XX is non-functional, condenses to form sex chromatin (aka Barr body)
where is sex chromatin/Barr body contained? (2)
cheek mucosa cells and WBCs
how can genetic sex abnormalities be found?
by karyotyping (tissue culture)
what do XXX, XXY, YO, and XO genotypes all result in?
XXX: female
XXY: male
YO: non-viable (need X)
XO: female, Turner’s syndrome
what scenario can cause sexual phenotype to not match chr composition?
atypical sex differentiation (≠ XX/XY)
what can atypical sex differentiation result in?
intersex or ambiguous genitalia
what is required for proper sex differentiation? (2)
genes on chr, secretions from gonads (testes primarily)
what week do gonads remain undifferentiated until?
6th week
what week do testes develop?
week 7
what gene on the Y chr mediates development of testes?
SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) gene
which cells express SRY gene?
urogenital ridge cells
what protein does SRY gene encode for?
TDF (testes determining factor)
what do both male and female gonads derive from?
urogenital ridge
what cells does TDF trigger development of?
Leydig and Sertoli cells (in testes)
what occurs if Y chr/SRY gene is absent?
testes don’t develop, and ovaries do in same region
what does the undifferentiated fetal reproductive tract contain? (3)
wolffian ducts, mullerian ducts, common opening for ducts/urine
what duct system persists in males?
wollfian
t/f: duct systems can give rise to external genital structures
false, only give rise to internal structures
what does ultimate development of male internal and external structures depend on?
presence of functional, fetal testes
what do Leydig vs Sertoli cells secrete?
Leydig: testosterone
Sertoli: mullerian-inhibitng substance/H (MIS)
what induces MIS gene?
SRY protein
what does MIS do?
degenerates mullerian duct system
what does testosterone do for fetal development?
differentiates wolffian ducts into epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts and seminal vesicles
what hormone forms penis and scrotum, and degenerates urogenital slit?
testosterone-derived DHT
what does absence of DHT cause?
intersex (required for external genitalia)
what hormone stimulates testes to descend?
testosterone
what is failure to descend testes called?
cryptochordism (remain in abdomen)
what can cryptochordism result in?
decr sperm production
why does cryptochordism cause decr sperm production?
proper sperm development requires lower than core body temp, if testes remain in abdomen, too hot for proper development
what triggers degeneration of wollfian ducts?
absence of testes, SRY gene, and thus MIS and testosterone (mainly)
what does mullerian duct system develop into?
Fallopian tubes and uterus
what triggers development of mullerian duct system?
absence of testes, SRY gene, and thus MIS and testosterone (mainly)
what does lack of testosterone-derived DHT cause?
persistence of urogenital slit
t/f: embryonic ovaries secrete hormones that trigger development of external genitalia
false, vagina/female external genitalia development is not influenced by ovaries
what does androgen exposure during period of female genital development cause? and after 13th week of gestation?
development: develop male structures
after 13 weeks: female genitalia virilized (enlarged)
what is the process of male embryonic sexual development? (4)
SRY gene in embryonic germ cells produces TDF, which initiates differentiation of gonad medulla into a testis, interstitial/Leydig cells secrete testosterone which directs development of internal and external (DHT) genitalia, Sertoli cells secrete MIS which causes regression of Müllerian duct
What is the process of female embryonic sexual development?
lack of SRY gene causes differentiation into fetal ovaries, no MIS initiates internal genital development, no testosterone causes regression of Wolffian ducts and development external genitalia + vagina
what is androgen insensitivity syndrome?
impaired testosterone binding in XY genotype causes degeneration of mullerian ducts (MIS present) and Wollfian ducts (no testosterone activity), therefore are infertile
when is androgen insensitivity syndrome detected?
at puberty when menstrual cycle fails to initiate
what is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
overproduction of androgens in fetus causes virilization of XX fetus and ambiguous genitalia
what causes androgen insensitivity syndrome?
mutation in androgen receptor gene
why is androgen insensitivity syndrome aka “testicular feminization”?
testes present but ext. female genitalia
what causes congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
mutation in cortisol gene synthesis causes incr ACTH and androgen production
what is a treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
cortisol replacement (normalizes ACTH but not ext. genitalia)
what is the general synthesis pathway for DHEA? where is it secreted?
cholesterol forms pregnenolone to form DHEA; adrenal cortex
what is the general synthesis pathway for estrone and estradiol? where are they secreted?
cholesterol forms pregnenolone to form progesterone which forms androstenedione that can be converted to estrone by aromatase or testosterone, aromatase converts testosterone to estradiol; ovaries
what is the general synthesis pathway for DHT?
cholesterol forms pregnenolone to form progesterone which forms androstenedione that is converted to testosterone, secreted by testes to target tissue where 5-a-reductase converts it to DHT
where is progesterone secreted in females?
ovaries
where are androgens synthesized? (2)
testes mainly but also adrenal cortex
t/f: androgens from the adrenal cortex are enough to sustain male reproduction functions
false, adrenal androgens are not potent enough
are adrenal androgens also secreted by women?
yes, from ovaries in small amounts
is DHT a more potent form of testosterone?
yes
what are estrogens vs estrogen?
estrogens: family of steroid hormones
estrogen: used interchangeably with estradiol
where are estrogens secreted from? (2)
ovaries and placenta
what is estradiol?
predominant estrogen in plasma
what individuals are estrone vs estriol mainly found in?
estrone: post-menopausal
estriol: pregnant women
where is estriol produced?
placenta
what are estrogens produced from? how?
androgens; aromatization
what enzyme is responsible for aromatization of androgens into estrogens?
aromatase
are estrogens found in males?
yes, released from testes
where are androgens converted to estrogens in males?
in non-gonadal tissues by aromatase
what is the HPG axis for sex hormones?
hypothalamus produces GnRH, GnRH stimulates ant pit to produce FSH and LH (gonadotropins), FSH and LH stimulate sex hormones
what can sex hormones do in HPG axis? (3)
stimulate gametogenesis, or any organ w/ a receptor, or negative feedback (or positive for females) on hypo (GnRH) ant pit (FSH and LH)
what cells secrete GnRH?
neuroendocrine cells in hypothalamus
t/f: impaired function of hypo/ant pit results in failure of gonads to secrete steroids/gametogenesis
true
what secretes progesterone in anatomical females?
ovaries and adrenal gland
what is the major secretory product of placenta during pregnancy?
progesterone (also during specific times during menstrual cycle)
t/f: progesterone is not present in males
false, progesterone is present in males as it’s a precursor/intermediate for adrenal steroids/androgens and estrogens
what is the action of gonadal steroids in a target cell?
diffuse into cells (lipid-soluble), bind to intracellular receptor to form complex, binds DNA in nucleus and modifies mRNA formation, protein synthesis, and circulating levels of protein
what are the 2 actions of gonadal steroids (not gametogenesis)?
development of accessory reproductive organs (ducts, breasts), and secondary sex characteristics (hair, body shape/height)
what does LH do in gonads? (2)
stimulates endocrine cells to produce steroid/sex and peptide hormones, stimulates gametogenesis in females
what does FSH do in gonads?
stimulates gametogenesis
in what scenarios does estrogen exhibit positive vs negative feedback in HPG axis?
positive: high levels of estrogen
negative: low to moderate levels
what is the pattern of secretion of GnRH?
pulsatile (every 1-3hrs)
is the pulsatile secretion of GnRH in males and femlaes?
yes
what hypothalamic region generates pulses of GnRH?
GnRH pulse generator
why is GnRH secreted in pulses?
steady, high levels of GnRH down-regulates GnRH receptors on gonadotropin cells, ant pit cant respond to GnRH
t/f: children with a GnRH deficiency can still mature sexually
false, GnRH deficiencies cause lack of sexual development (treated w/ PULSATILE GnRH)
what occurs directly after pulsatile GnRH secretion?
FSH and LH are stimulated/secreted
what is a clinical application of GnRH?
treatment for prostate/breast cancer (stimulates FSH/LH at first, then ant pit desensitizes)
what is kisspeptin?
peptide hormone critical in generating pulsatile secretion of GnRH
t/f: kisspeptin is essential for upstream mechanisms initiating timing of puberty
true
how can kisspeptin affect GnRH neurons?
can exhibit positive and negative feedback onto GnRH neurons from estrogen and sex steroids resp.
t/f: FSH and LH have different structures in each sex
false, same structure in each sex
what are inhibins?
peptides from gonads that affect ant pit
what are 4 enviro factors that can affect reproduction? (females > males)
stress, nutrition, day-light cycle (travelling, shift work, melatonin), environmental estrogens (endocrine disruptors)
what are 6 ex of enviro estrogens (endocrine disruptors)?
phytoestrogens (plants: soy), synthetics (plastic, pesticide, chemicals, pharmaceuticals: hormonal replacement/contraception)
what are 4 effects of enviro estrogens (endocrine disruptors)?
bind estrogen receptors and have positive or negative effects, accumulate in adipose, compromise gamete quality, disrupt developing embryos
where is the prostate?
encircles urethra
what is the effect of cancerous enlargement of the prostate?
impedes urination
where is the urethra in the penile shaft?
ventral side, surrounded by corpus spongiosum
what comprises the penile erectile tissue? (3)
corpus spongiosum, corpora cavernosa (2)
what is the glans?
tip of penis covered in foreskin (unless circumsized)
where are the testes located?
suspended outside abdomen in scrotum (2 sacs)
when do the testes descend from the abdomen?
7th month of pregnancy (w/ testosterone)
what is cryptorchidism? effect?
1 or both testes fail to descend and remain in abdomen; decr spermatogenesis but normal testosterone production
what does the spermatic cord do?
binds testicular blood vessels and nerves
why is vascular counter current exchange in the penis essential?
facilitates heat exchange btwn warm arterial and cool venous blood which maintains normal temp for spermatogenesis
t/f: normal testosterone production and secretion can occur at core body temp
true (not spermatogenesis)
where is the site of spermatogenesis?
seminiferous tubules in testicles
what encases bundles of seminiferous tubules?
outer fibrous capsule
what does the interstitial tissue of the testes feature?
blood vessels and Leydig cells
what does the spermatic cord pass through to get to testes?
inguinal canal
what do the seminiferous tubules converge into? (4 -> urethra)
sem. tubules -> rete testis -> efferent ductules -> epididymis -> vas deferens -> urethra
what are 4 of the contents and functions of accessory gland secretions?
nutrients (for sperm), protective buffers (neutralize acidic urine in male urethra and vaginal secretions), seminal vesicle chemicals (prostaglandins: incr motility?), mucus (lubrication)
where is mucus secreted from in male repro tract?
bulbourethral glands (for later semen passage)
what is another purpose for male secretions (other than sperm viability)?
protect from pathogens (antibacterial)
what is seminal plasma?
nonsperm portion of semen (99%)
what metal is present in semen?
zinc (unsure function)
how is a constant supply of undifferentiated sperm maintained?
one clone produced by each spermatogonium germ cell drops out to re-enter mitotic pathway (staggered development)
what occurs in the final phase of spermatid differentiation into sperm/spermatozoa?
cell remodelling and elongation
approx. how long does spermatogenesis take?
2 months
what surrounds each seminiferous tubule?
basement memb
what 2 types of cells are in the seminiferous tubule wall?
developing sperm and Sertoli
what is at the center of each seminiferous tubule?
lumen w/ mature sperm
where are the Leydig cells?
around/btwn seminiferous tubules in connective tissue
t/f: sperm-producing and testosterone-producing functions of the testes are carried out by the same structure
false, Leydig cells produce testosterone and sem tubules produce sperm (Sertoli cells)
t/f: Sertoli cells don’t require and can’t receive testosterone from Leydig cells
false, testosterone can freely diffuse into Sertoli cells and they require it
what is the “Sertoli-cell” barrier?
ring of Sertoli cells from basement memb to lumen of each sem tubule (blood testes barrier)
what are the 2 compartments of the sem tubule? what separates them?
basal and central; Sertoli ring
when are the Leydig cells quiescent vs active?
active in fetus, quiet after birth, reactive at puberty
what can Leydig cells also do w/ testosterone?
convert to estradiol w/ aromatase
what is the hormonal control of spermatogenesis? (5)
hypo releases GnRH, ant pit releases FSH and LH, LH stimulates Leydig cells to release test, test stimulates body for 2ndary effects and diffuses across blood-testis barrier into Sertoli cells, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to produce cell products
what are 3 products of Sertoli cell stimulation?
inhibin (neg feedback of FSH), nourish developing sperm, androgen binding protein (ABP) (luminal secretions)
what is androgen binding protein (ABP)? purpose?
protein that binds Leydig-derived testosterone to cross Sertoli cell barrier into sem tubule lumen (allows high conc)
where does mitosis of sperm cells occur in sem tubule?
basal compartment btwn Sertoli cells
what occurs to defective sperm in sem tubule?
Sertoli cells phagocytose them
t/f: Sertoli cells produce chemical messengers in response to local testosterone
true, Leydig cells stimulate spermatogenesis and inhibin release (in Sertoli cells) via paracrine signals
when do sperm cells unbind from apical membrane of Sertoli cells?
when transformation is complete
where does final maturation of sperm occur?
epididymis
what occurs to sperm during final maturation in epididymis?
lose cytoplasm and develop tail
what are the 3 portions of a sperm cell?
head, midpiece, tail
what is the head of a sperm cell?
almost all nucleus, covered by acrosome
what does the acrosome contain?
protein-filled vesicle w/ enzymes necessary for fertilization
what is the midpiece of a sperm cell?
formed by mitochondria (E to move)
what is the tail of a sperm cell?
mostly flagellum (propels sperm)
what stores sperm until ejaculation?
vas deferens and epididymis
what prevents engorgement of epididymis? benefit?
fluid can be absorbed from lumen; concentrates sperm
what propels sperm to urethra during ejaculation?
peristaltic movements of vas deferens and epididymis
what is a vasectomy?
removal of segments from each vas deferens so sperm cant travel from epididymis
t/f: vasectomies result in fluid build-up
false, sperm break down and are reabsorbed
t/f: testosterone and Leydig cells are unaffected in a vasectomy
true
t/f: sperm production halts w/ a vasectomy
false
what is the passive process of sperm movement?
Sertoli cells produce secretions and incr P in sem tubule and push sperm as far as the epididymis (sperm not motile)
what are 8 factors that negatively affect sperm?
heat/P on scrotum, caffeine/nicotine/alcohol/marijuana, enviro toxins, hair growth stimulants/OTC drugs, laptops/phones (heat), saliva (acidic), lube/douche, estrogens in plastic (BPA)
how do estrogens in plasticizers (BPA) negatively affect male repro?
incr negative feedback in HPG axis which decr testosterone production
what 3 ways are negative effects exhibited by sperm?
decr sperm count, abnormal morphology, abnormal motility
what is the general process of penile erection? (6)
3 cylindrical compartments flaccid, sexual excitation, dilation of small arteries, incr BF and engorgement of vascular compartments, passive compression of adjacent veins (no outflow, maintains engorgement), erection
which ANS system and NT(s) are responsible for flaccid vs erect penis?
flaccid: sympathetic, NA/E (contract/vasoconstriction)
erect: parasymp, ACh and NO (relax/vasodilation)
what 2 processes must occur for vasodilation/relaxation in erection?
inhibition of sympathetic input, activation of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NO, para) autonomic neurons to arteries
what are some primary stimuli (and pathway) for erection? (5, 4)
mechanoreceptors in penis, higher brain centre input such as thoughts, emotions, sights, and odours -> incr afferent neuron firing -> (lower) spinal reflex -> changed efferent neural outflow
what is ejaculation?
spinal reflex that discharges semen w/ stimulation of penile mechanoreceptors
what is the 1st phase of ejaculation?
emission: sympathetic activity contracts epididymis, vas def, ejaculatory ducts, prostate and seminal vesicles, moving semen into urethra
what is the 2nd phase of ejaculation?
ejaculation: semen expelled from urethra by contractions of urethral smooth muscle and skeletal muscle at base of penis
what prevents retrograde ejaculation?
closure of sphincter at base of bladder during ejaculation phase