Reproductive Physiology Basics- Male

Question 1

Where is sperm produced?

Answer 1

Testicles

Question 2

The testicles lie within the scrotum as they need to be below the temperature of the body. Why is this?

Answer 2

Facilitates sperm production

Question 3

Name the gland which sits posteriorly to the testes.

Answer 3

Epididymis

->storage site, sperm remains for three months to mature before being released

Question 4

Where does the sperm travel through the penis to allow sperm to travel outside the body?

Answer 4

Urethra

Question 5

Where does sperm travel through from the testes to the epididymis?

Answer 5

Vas deferens

Question 6

What helps to produce the semen?

Answer 6

Seminal vesicles and prostate

Question 7

GO ONTO PART 4 VIDEO FOR A DIAGRAM TO TEST AND IDENTIFY THESE STRUCTURES

Answer 7

GO GO GO

->helpful for anatomy probs x

Question 8

Name the three types of cell found within the seminiferous tubules of the teste.

Answer 8

Germ cells
Sertoli/sustentacular cells
Interstitial (Leydig) cells

Question 9

What is the function of the germ cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testes?

Answer 9

Produce sperm

Question 10

What is the function of the sertoli/sustentacular cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testes?

Answer 10

Supports sperm producing cells
Produce inhibin

Question 11

What is the function of the interstitial/Leydig cells found in the seminiferous tubules of the testes?

Answer 11

Produce testosterone

Question 12

Function of testes?

Answer 12

Sperm production
Testosterone production

Question 13

Briefly describe the endocrine control of testicular function.

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What does FSH do when acting on the testes?

Answer 14

Controls spermatogenesis

Question 15

What does LH do when acting on the testes?

Answer 15

Acts on leydig cells to produce testosterone

-> L = L

Question 16

Spermatogenesis?

Answer 16

Production of sperm from the primordial germ cells

Question 17

How long is the average cycle of spermatogenesis?

Answer 17

64 days

Question 18

What are the two stages pf spermatogenesis?

Answer 18

Spermatocytogenesis
Spermiogenesis

Question 19

What happens in spermstocytogenesis?

Answer 19

Clonal expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic process

Question 20

What happens in spermiogenesis?

Answer 20

Differentiation into mature stem cells

Question 21

At what point in life does spermatogenesis commence?

Answer 21

Puberty and continues lifelong

Question 22

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?

Answer 22

Problem with hormonal control

Question 23

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?

Answer 23

Problem at the site of the teste

Question 24

List some of the pretesticular medical factors which could affect spermatogenesis.

Answer 24

Excessive weight loss/gain
Intracranial tumours/SOL
Prolactinoma
Medications
Genetic- Kallman’s syndrome

Question 25

List some of the testicular medical factors which could affect spermatogenesis.

Answer 25

Surgery- orchidectomy, orchidopexy
STI
Mumps orchitis
Testicular trauma/torsion
Radiotherapy/chemotherapy
Genetic- Kilnefelter’s

Question 26

List some of the lifestyle factors which can affect spermatogenesis.

Answer 26

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

Question 27

List some of the steps that a man can take to reduce the impact of factors affecting fertility.

Answer 27

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

Question 28

If reduced fertility is caused by pretesticular factors, what will the hormone levels be like?

Answer 28

Low FH and LSH

If due to prolactinoma, high prolactin