reproductive physiology - male Flashcards
what are the male reproductive organs
- ureter
- bladder
- seminal vesicles
- ductus deferens
- prostate gland
- bulbourethral gland
- penis: glans, erectile tissue
- urethra
- epididymis
- testis
describe the structure of the testis
what are the types of cells within the seminiferous tubules in testis
- germ cells: produce sperm
- sertoli cells: support germ cells; produce inhibin
- leydig cells: produce testosterone
what is the function of testis
- sperm production
- testosterone production
what is the endocrine control of testicular function
what is spermatogenesis
the process of sperm production
describe the process of sperm production
spermatocytogenesis: clonal expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic processes
spermiogenesis: differentiation into mature sperm cells
describe spermatogenesis
spermatogonium undergoes mitosis to form primary spermatocyte
primary spermatocyte undergoes first meiotic division to to form secondary spermatocyte
secondary spermatocyte undergoes second meiotic division to form spermatid
spermiogenesis is the maturation of spermatids into functional sperm cells
what factors affect spermatogenesis
medical
- pretesticular: weight, intracranial tumours, prolactinoma, medications (opiates, steroids), kallmann’s syndrome
- testicular: surgery, STI, mumps/orchitis, trauma/torsion, radio/chemotherapy, Klinefelter’s
lifestyle
- BMI, smoking, occupational exposure, cosmetics,
combination
