reproduction part 1: males Flashcards
why is descent of the testicles important and what regulates the descent?
it helps with maintaining tempurature of sperm production
descent regulated by hormones
what is cryptotchidism?
a condition in which the testes are not fully descended at birth, which can cause fertility issues if not fized
Which of the following best describes a key anatomical feature of the male reproductive system?
A) The male reproductive system exhibits asymmetry and has a separate urinary and reproductive tract.
B) The testes, located in the scrotum, function primarily in urine production and storage.
C) The male reproductive system exhibits bilateral symmetry and shares a common urogenital tract.
D) The scrotum is located within the abdominal cavity and plays no role in temperature regulation.
The male reproductive system exhibits bilateral symmetry and shares a common urogenital tract.
this information is true
in what structure of the testes does spermatogenesis (sperm production occur?)
a. epidydymus
b. leydic cells
c. sertoli cells
d. seminiferoud tubules
in the deminiferous tubules
state the functions of leydic cells, setoli cells, smooth muscle cells, and the blood testis barrier
leydig cells: secrete testosterone
sertoli cells: support sperm development and secrete seminal fluid, secrete inhibin
smooth muscle cells/myoid cells: peristalsis and propel sperm
blood testes barrier: include tight junctions and divides area. includes an area for WBC’s to protect the sperm
Why do Sertoli cells release androgen-binding protein (ABP), and what is its function?
A) To convert testosterone into estrogen and suppress sperm production.
B) To bind testosterone and maintain high intratesticular levels for spermatogenesis.
C) To stimulate Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
D) To degrade excess testosterone and prevent its function in the testes.
To bind testosterone and maintain high intratesticular levels for spermatogenesis.
Which cells act as target cells for both FSH and testosterone in the male reproductive system?
A) Leydig cells
B) Sertoli cells
C) Spermatogonia
D) Prostate gland cells
sertoli cells
Which of the following substances are secreted by Sertoli cells?
A) Inhibin, androgen-binding protein, and paracrine factors that influence Leydig cells
B) Testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and prostaglandins
C) Progesterone, estrogen, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
D) Dopamine, growth hormone, and cortisol
Inhibin, androgen-binding protein, and paracrine factors that influence Leydig cells
where does LH work on? and where does FSH work onÉ
LH works on the Leydig cells, which are cells that secrete testosterone
FSH works on sertoli cells, which help with sperm production
structure where the sperm mature, acts as a storage site for sperm
a. Gonads
b. Scrotum
c. Epididymus
d. Vas deferens
e. Accessory sex glands
Epididymus
storage site for sperm
a. Gonads
b. Scrotum
c. Epididymus
d. Vas deferens
e. Accessory sex glands
vas deferens
responsible for producing seminal fluid
a. Gonads
b. Scrotum
c. Epididymus
d. Vas deferens
e. Accessory sex glands
Accessory sex glands
sumarize corticosteroid synthesis
cholersteral is made into progesterone (feminizing hormone, present in both males and females)
progesterone can be made into
- aldosterone (mineralcorticoid, regulates ion balance),
- cortisol
- adrenal androgens (masculinization in action)
Which of the following best describes the role of androgens in the male reproductive system?
A) Androgens primarily stimulate Sertoli cells to produce sperm without affecting secondary sexual characteristics.
B) Androgens, such as testosterone, promote spermatogenesis, secondary sexual characteristics, and muscle growth.
C) Androgens are only involved in fetal development and have no significant role after puberty.
D) Androgens function exclusively in libido regulation and do not influence reproductive organ development.
adrogens promote spermatognesis, secondart sexual characteristics, growth hormone secretion, and developing male reproductive systems
what is the metabollic effect of androgens
a. increase lipid synthesis
b. increas cholesterol synthesis
c. increase protein synthesis
promoting protein synthesis in skeletal muscle
what are the stages of spermatogenesis? (include the chromosome count)
- spermatogonia, 2n, has 46 chromosomes (one cell only), involved in mitosis
- primary sspermatocytes, the one cell that develops into a sex cell (2nx2), undergoies meiosis for the first time. the other cell (2n) gets stored
- secondary spermatocytes (nx2), undergoes meiosis for the 2nd time, result of meiosis 1
- spermatids (n), result of meisosis 2
- spermatozoa (n) mature sperm with head, actually looks like a sperm now
Why is the differentiation and packing stage an essential part of spermatogenesis?
A) It ensures that spermatids undergo mitotic divisions to increase sperm count before fertilization.
B) It transforms round spermatids into mature, motile spermatozoa capable of fertilization.
C) It allows spermatogonia to divide and maintain a diploid chromosome number for genetic stability.
D) It occurs after fertilization to enhance sperm function within the female reproductive tract.
It transforms round spermatids into mature, motile spermatozoa capable of fertilization.
where does sperm production REALLY occur in the seminiferous tubules?
occurs in the tight junctions/space in between two sertoli cells
how long is the process for a spermatid to develop into a spermatozoa?
~24 days
Note it takes 64 days from a spermatogonia to develop into a spermatozoa
how is spermiogenesis different with spermatogenesis?
spermiogenesis is sperm modification of spermatids to spermatozoa (eg packing of acrosome in the head and mitochondria)
spermatogenesis is the development of sperm, involving mitosis, meiosis, and differentiation + packaging
Why is the fluid pressure secreted by Sertoli cells important for sperm development?
It provides the necessary force to transport sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the epididymis.
it helps the sperm gain motility
how does inhibin and testosterone work in the negative feedback loop/ hormone control
inhibin is used to send a signal only to the anterior pituirtary gland
testosteron sends signals to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to inhibit secretion of GnRH
Why is a pulsatile generator needed? How does a pulse generator work?
definition: pulse generator: a chane in frequency and amplitude of pulses every 90 min in males
pulsatile generators are needed to initiate puberty
pulsatile generators are made every 90 min and get input from many sources. these pulses release GnRh in a pulsatile manner to stimulate reproductive maturation
why are steady levels of GnRH bad?
a. steady levels of GnRH increases gonadotropin receptors
b. steady levels of GnRH decrease the formation of sperm
c. it reduces the levels of FSH and LH
d. steady levels of GnRH decrease gonadotropin receptors
steady levels down regulate GnRH gonadotropin receptors and gonadotropin secreting cells, which affects reproductive maturation
