Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
What muscle regulates the temperature of testes?
Scrotum
What are the functions of Leydig cells?
Found in between the seminiferous tubules; regulates by interstitial cell stimulating hormone: secretes testosterone
What are the functions of Steroli cells
A. Support, protect, & nourish developing spermatogenic cells
B. Mediate the effects of testosterone & follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on the
sperm
1. Testosterone - Development, growth, & maintenance of male sex organs;
final maturation of sperm; stimulates descent of testes during embryogenesis
2. FSH - Act on Sertoli cells = stimulate spermatogenesis
C. Control movements of the spermatogenic cells & the release of spermatozoan into
the lumen
D. Secrete fluid for sperm transport
E. Secrete inhibin, which regulates sperm production by inhibiting the secretion of
FSH
What is the acrosome?
Modified secretory vesicle/lysosome filled with enzymes (hyaluronidase and proteinases)
What is the function of the epididymis?
Efferent ducts - 1st segment of the epididymis which
collects sperm from the rete testis & empties the sperm into
the ductus epididymis
Ductus epididymis possesses pseudostratified columnar
epithelium & a layer of smooth muscle
The ductus epididymis is the site of sperm maturation (10-
14 days), sperm storage, & “dead” sperm reabsorption
What are the three sections of the male urethra?
-Prostatic urethra: passes through the prostate gland
-Membranous urethra: passes through the urogenital diaphragm
-Spongy (penile) urethra: passes through the corpus spongiosum of the penis and ends at the external urethral orifice
What are the spongey masses in the penis?
Corpus spongiosum
What ligaments support the penis?
Fundiform ligament
Suspensory ligament which arises from pubic symphysis
What ligaments support the ovaries?
Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament
Broad ligament
What is the function of the corpus luteum?
-Contains the remnants of an ovulated mature follicle, and produces hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, relaxin, and inhibin. It will eventually degenerate into the corpus albicans
What are the corona radiata and zona pellucida
-Clear glycoprotein layer, zona pellucida, between the primary oocyte and the granulosa
-Innermost layer of granulosa cells will adhere strongly to the zona pellucida=Corona radiata
What are the 3 sections of the fallopian tubes?
-Infundibulum which lies next to ovaries. It ends in a fringe of fingerlike projection called fimbriae which attach to the lateral ends of the ovary
-Ampulla: 2/3 of the tube
-Isthmus: connects the tube to the uterus
What are the three layers of the uterus wall? What are the two layers of the endometrium?
-Perimetrium: outer layer part of visceral peritoneum
-Myometrium: middle layer, three layers of muscle
-Endometrium: inner layer; simple columnar epithelium over a thick lamina propria
-Stratum functionalis: shed during menstruation
-Stratum basalis: deep layer that gives rise to a new stratum functionalis after each menstruation
Know all of the male accessory sex glands, their secretions, & functions.
Seminal vesicle secretion is/contains:
1. Alkaline to reduce the acidity in the female reproductive tract
2. Fructose for energy
3. Prostaglandins for motility, viability of the sperm, & to induce female
muscular contractions once inside the female
4. Semenogelin (fibrinogen derivative) for the coagulation of the semen
following ejaculation = helps keep the ejaculated sperm in the female
reproductive tract following the withdrawal of the penis
5. Constitutes ~60% of the volume of the semen
Prostate gland secretion is/contains:
1. Slightly acidic (pH 6.5), but is significantly more basic than the female
reproductive tract (pH 3.5 - 4.0)
2. Citric acid for energy
3. Clotting enzymes which cause semenogelin to coagulate following
ejaculation
4. Fibrinolysin which de-coagulates the semenogelin a short time later (5 -20
minutes) allowing the sperm to become motile following ejaculation
5. Constitutes ~25% of the volume of the semen
C. Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) gland secretion consists of alkaline mucus to lubricate
the lumen of the urethra
