Reproductive Histo Flashcards
4 parts of testis
-seminiferous tubules
-straight tubules
-rete testes
-efferent ductules
Testis functions (2)
- secretion of androgens
- production of sperm
Testis layers (3)
- Tunica Vaginalis
- Tunica Albuginea
- Mediastinum Testis
Tunica Vaginalis
- extension of the peritoneum that covers the anterolateral surface
- not posterior
Tunica Albuginea
- tough outer connective tissue capsule
- involves the maintenance of an erection directly due to the fascia
Mediastinum Testis
- posterior portion of testis
- results from a thickening of the albuginea; site where maturing sperm leave the testis through rete testis
What is the purpose of septa in the testis?
- divide testis into ~250 lobules
- each lobule contains:
–1-4 seminiferous tubules
– CT stroma (tunica proper)
Septa of testis image
Seminiferous Tubules Characteristics
Total length ~ 200-500m (1/4 mile)
Each tubule is surrounded by a tunica/lamina propria
Each tubule has a basal lamina surrounded by 3-5 layers of myoid cells
Lumen lined with stratified epithelium
Seminiferous Tubules Image
What type of epi in seminiferous tubules?
stratified epithelium
2 Types of Cells in Seminiferous Stratified Epithelium
- Spermatogenic cells: 4 subtypes
a. Spermatogonia
→Type A dark
→Type A pale
→Type B
b. Spermatocytes
c. Spermatids
d. Spermatozoa - Sertoli cells (glial cells)
Types of Cells in Seminiferous Stratified Epithelium LABELED
Cells of seminiferous tubules in EM labeled
- Spermatozoa
- Spermatids
- Spermatogonia
- Sertoli cells
Cells of seminiferous tubules image
Cells of seminiferous tubules image
Sertoli cells structure
- extend from basal lamina to lumen
- have long cytoplasmic processes
Sertoli cells functions (4)
- blood-testis barrier
- secretes transferrin, inhibin (supresses FSH), plasminogen activator, and androgen binding protein
- supports & nourishes developing spermatocyte
- phagocytic for residual bodies
Do sertoli cells replicate after puberty?
NO
What type of nuclear complex do sertoli cells have?
- Tripartite nucleolar complex
- Nucleolus surrounded by 2 satellite bodies of chromatin
Sertoli–Sertoli cell junctions:
ZONULA ADHERENS: very tight junctions btwn adjacent membranes
Sertoli-Spermatogenic cell junctions:
Desmosome-like junctions: btwn Sertoli & Spermatogenic cells
What are the 2 compartments that Sertoli-Sertoli cells form?
- Basal compartment with spermatogonia
- Luminal compartment
What is the separation of the 2 compartments (blood/testis
barrier) important for?
- Accumulation of androgen-binding protein and testosterone in the lumen
- Immune protection