Reproductive phsiology Flashcards
2 functions of male reproductive system
Initiate and sustain male phenotype
Production of mature sperm
2 things to initiate erection
Sexual thoughts in brain-> penis via spine
Tactile stimulus
What initiates erection
Increased parasympathetic stimulation to smooth muscle of pudendal artery
Effect of increased parasympathetic activity to pudendal artery
Increased activation of nitric oxide synthase which increases NO. This increases production of cGMP which dilates arterial smooth muscle
Effect of dilated pudendal artery
Increases blood flow to corpus cavernosum and compresses dorsal vein thus restricting outflow of blood
What protects urethra from increased pressure in an erection
Corpus spongiosum that is less turgid
What deactivates cGMP normally
Phosphodiesterease enzyme
How does viagra work
Viagra inhibits the phosphodiesterase which would normally reduce cGMP
Most important organ involved in sexual reproduction
Brain
Pathways in brain involved in sexual reproduction
Mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway- reward and pleasure
Nigrostriatal tract- control and movements
Neuroendocrine- regulating fertility
Role of epididymis
Sperm kept here before ejaculation
Role of vas deferens
From epididymis to urethra and is where excrements from seminal vesicle and prostate go
What stimulates leydig cells
LH
What stimulates sertoli cells
FSH
What do leydig cells produce
Testosterone
- found outside seminiferous tubules
