Reproductive Physiology Basics- Male Flashcards
Where is sperm produced?
Testicles
The testicles lie within the scrotum as they need to be below the temperature of the body. Why is this?
Facilitates sperm production
Name the gland which sits posteriorly to the testes.
Epididymis
->storage site, sperm remains for three months to mature before being released
Where does the sperm travel through the penis to allow sperm to travel outside the body?
Urethra
Where does sperm travel through from the testes to the epididymis?
Vas deferens
What helps to produce the semen?
Seminal vesicles and prostate
GO ONTO PART 4 VIDEO FOR A DIAGRAM TO TEST AND IDENTIFY THESE STRUCTURES
GO GO GO
->helpful for anatomy probs x
Name the three types of cell found within the seminiferous tubules of the teste.
Germ cells
Sertoli/sustentacular cells
Interstitial (Leydig) cells
What is the function of the germ cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testes?
Produce sperm
What is the function of the sertoli/sustentacular cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testes?
Supports sperm producing cells
Produce inhibin
What is the function of the interstitial/Leydig cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testes?
Produce testosterone
Function of testes?
Sperm production
Testosterone production
Briefly describe the endocrine control of testicular function.
Hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)
Acts on anterior pituitary which produces FSH and LH
FSH and LH act on testes which releases testosterone
->negative feedback loops apply to this process too, like with the female hormones
What does FSH do when acting on the testes?
Controls spermatogenesis
What does LH do when acting on the testes?
Acts on leydig cells to produce testosterone
-> L = L
Spermatogenesis?
Production of sperm from the primordial germ cells
How long is the average cycle of spermatogenesis?
64 days
What are the two stages pf spermatogenesis?
Spermatocytogenesis
Spermiogenesis
What happens in spermstocytogenesis?
Clonal expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic process
What happens in spermiogenesis?
Differentiation into mature stem cells
At what point in life does spermatogenesis commence?
Puberty and continues lifelong
There are some medical factors that can affect spermatogenesis. They are either pretesticular or testicular.
What are some of the pretesticular medical factors which affect spermatogenesis?
Problem with hormonal control
There are some medical factors that can affect spermatogenesis. They are either pretesticular or testicular.
What are some of the testicular medical factors which affect spermatogenesis?
Problem at the site of the teste
List some of the pretesticular medical factors which could affect spermatogenesis.
Excessive weight loss/gain
Intracranial tumours/SOL
Prolactinoma
Medications
Genetic- Kallman’s syndrome
List some of the testicular medical factors which could affect spermatogenesis.
Surgery- orchidectomy, orchidopexy
STI
Mumps orchitis
Testicular trauma/torsion
Radiotherapy/chemotherapy
Genetic- Kilnefelter’s
List some of the lifestyle factors which can affect spermatogenesis.
Smoking
Obesity
Use of cosmetics/body creams
Sedentary position (heat exposure)
->note that some people have affected spermatogenesis from birth as issues occurred in the womb, not all occurs due to own lifestyle factors
List some of the steps that a man can take to reduce the impact of factors affecting fertility.
Improve lifestyle- normal BMI, stop smoking, reduce alcohol, exercise
Optimise underlying medical conditions
Stop any medications affecting spermatogenesis
Reduce STI risk and treat promptly if diagnosed
->before some surgery/cancer treatment, some men may choose to freeze their sperm for fertility preservation
If reduced fertility is caused by pretesticular factors, what will the hormone levels be like?
Low FH and LSH
If due to prolactinoma, high prolactin
