Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
Defined by sex chromosomes
Genetic sex
Defined by presence of ovaries/testes
Gonadal sex
Defined by characteristic of internal genital tract and external genitalia
Phenotypic sex
Internal genital tract in males:
prostate, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, epididymis
Internal genital tract in females
fallopian tube, uterus, upper 1/3 of vagina
External genitalia in males:
scrotum, penis
External genitalia in females
clitoris, labia minora & majora, lower 2/3 vagina
Secreted by Sertoli cells to cause atrophy of Mullerian ducts
Antimullerian hormone
Secreted by Leydig cells for growth of Wolffian ducts
Testosterone
Which substance is suspected to initiate pubery?
Melatonin
What conditions may inhibit the onset of puberty?
stress, malnutrition
What is the first event in puberty in males, and in females?
Males: testicular enlargement
Female: breast enlargement (thelarche)
Which hormone causes adrenarche (pubic hair, axillary hair development) in females?
Adrenal androgens
What is the offshoot of the genital tubercle in males and in females?
Males: Glans penis: Females: Glans clitoris
Males: Corpus cavernosum and spongiosum: Females: vestibular bulbs
What is the offshoot of the urogenital sinus in males and in females?
Males: bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands: Females: Bartholin’s (greater vestibular) glands
Males: Prostate gland: Females: Skene’s (urethral and paraurethral) glands
What is the offshoot of the urogenital folds in males and in females?
Males: ventral shaft of the penis (penile urethra): Females: labia minora
What is the offshoot of the labioscrotal swelling in males and in females?
Males: scrotum: Females: labia majora
3 forms of androgens:
Androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone
Most powerful form of androgen:
Dihydrotestosterone
Androgens:
Blood transport: bound to _____ and _____
Liver degradation to ______ and _____
Excretion into the feces and urine.
bound to Albumin and sex-hormone binding globulin
liver degradation to Androsterone and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
Stimulates the Sertoli cell for spermatogenesis
FSH
Stimulates the Leydig cells to secrete testosterone
LH
Testosterone vs Dihydrotestosterone
Buzz words: hair, baldness, sebaceous glands, penis, scrotum, prostate = dihydrotestosterone
All others caused by testosterone
What is responsible for sperm production?
seminiferous tubules
What is responsible for sperm maturation and motility?
epididymis
What is responsible for sperm storage?
Vas deferens
What is responsible for sperm nutrition (fructose and prostaglandins)?
seminal vesicle
What is responsible for semen alkalinity (spermine)
prostate gland
What is the function of the bulbourethral gland/Cowper’s glands?
supplies mucus
Trace the path of the semen:
SEVEN UP (Think: it's usually up by 7AM to remember the mnemonic) Seminiferous tubules Epididymis Vas deferens Ejaculatory ducts (Nothing) Urethra Penis
What is the temperature of the testes?
1-2 degrees celcius cooler than body temperature
What is responsible for the temperature in the testes?
countercurrent exchange of the testicular vessels
What is the duration of spermatogenesis?
64 days