Reproductive Flashcards
During which weeks are the primitive sex cords formed?
During weeks 5-6, the epithelium proliferates and penetrates the underlying mesoderm to form primitive sex cords.
What is the reproductive system derived from?
Reproductive system is derived from the intermediate mesoderm, forms a urogenital ridge.
In men, what do the primitive sex cords continue to develop into?
Under the influence of TDF, primitive sex cords continue to develop into medullary (testis) cords.
What do the medullary cords develop into at the hilum?
At the hilum, medullary cords develop into rete testis.
What is the connective tissue layer that develops around the testis?
The connective tissue layer that develops is the tunica albuginea.
What do the remaining medullary cords form?
The remaining medullary cords form the seminiferous tubules.
When does the gubernaculum shorten to pull testes towards the anterior abdominal wall?
The gubernaculum shortens pulling the testes towards the anterior abdominal wall during weeks 7-12. They arrive at internal inguinal ring, where they remain from the 3rd to 7th month.
By what month do the testis reach the scrotum?
Testes reach the scrotum by 9th month, just before birth.
What happens to the processus vaginalis in a male?
Within the first year, the processus vaginalis obliterates leaving a remnant round the testes tunica vaginalis
What can happen if part of the processus vaginalis remains?
Parts of processus vaginalis may remain unused leaving small cysts.
They can produce fluid and swell. If processus vaginalis remains open to abdominal cavity, intestines may protrude through inguinal canal - indirect inguinal hernia.
Which ducts, mesonephric or paramesonephric are preserved in males?
Mesonephric ducts are preserved in males.
Paramesonephric ducts preserved in females.
When gene drives the development of male genital ducts?
SRY gene encodes testis determining factor (TDF).
What does TDF cause epithelial cells to differentiate into?
TDF causes differentiation of epithelial cells into Sertoli cells.
Sertoli cells secrete anti-mullerian hormone. (AMH). AMH causes degeneration of paramesonephric ducts.
What do Sertoli cells cause the mesoderm of the gonad to differentiate into?
Sertoli cells cause mesoderm of the gonad to become Leydig cells, which produce testosterone. Testosterone promotes the survival and further development of mesonephric ducts.
What does the mesonephric duct differentiate into in the male?
The mesonephric duct develops into efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicle.
