Reproductive System Flashcards
What is Seminal Fluid composed of?
male system
Fructose Citric Acid Bicarbonate Fibrinogen ( thickener ) Fibrinolytic enzymes
What does the Spermatic cord contain?
male system
It is formed at deep inguinal ring
Contains structures:
- Testicular artery
- Pampiniform plexus ( v )
- Autonomic and GF nerves
- Lymph vessels
- Vas deferens
What muscles is the penis made of?
male system
2x Corpora Cavernosa
1x Corpora Spongiosum
How does Erection and Ejaculation happen?
( male system )
- physiological changes during erection specifically
( arterial relaxation due to stimulation = pressure = venous drainage obstruction )
Erection due to Parasympathetic stimulation
Ejaculation due to Sypathethic stimulation
( P oint and S hoot )
What do the Bulbo-urethral glands do?
male system
It is below the prostate
Secretes sugar-rich mucus into urethra for lubrication and contributes to pre-ejaculatory emissions from penis.
Arterial supply to the Testes?
( male system )
Lymphatic drainage to Testes?
( male system )
Testicular arteries from aorta via spermatic cord
Para-aortic lymph nodes
( Can indicate routes for cancer spreading e.g. testicular cancer could spread to para-aortic lymph nodes )
What are the three layers of the testes making up a capsule?
What do these contains?
(Inside – > out )
Tunica Vasculosa: has blood vessels
Tunica Albuginea: forms septa seperating testis into lobules
Tunica Vaginalis: covers testes and epidydimis
What three layers is the uterus composed of?
Endometrium ( sensitive )
Myometrium
Perimetrium
Where are the ovaries?
What is the Fallopian tube?
Inside peritoneal cavity ( rest is outside )
Have cilia and spiral muscle to waft egg, fertilisation happens in ampula.
Fimbriae open up into ovaries where the eggs are
What is the structure of the Uterus?
-Top of uterus = uterine fundas
-Suspended by = pelvic floor muscles ( levator ani + coccygeus ) 3 ligaments ( broad + round + uterosacral ligaments )
- Lined by specialised epithelium = serosa ( peritoneal ) myometrium ( thick smooth muscle ) endometrium ( usually shed during periods due to ischemia from vasoconstriction due to progesterone drop.
Spermatogonia life cycle?
Spermatogonia are there from birth
Gametogenesis begins at puberty ( spermatogonia –> spermatozoa )
Through differentiation and self-renewal the pool is available throughout life
1500 sperm / sec
Oogonia life cycle?
Before birth : Oogonia multiplies to 6 million
These develop into Oocytes in Ovarian follicles = primordial follicle these begin meiosis but are locked in prophase until puberty.
Some primordial follicle degenerate
At birth: 2 million remain
At puberty: 0.5 million remain
spermatogonia into sperms?
44XY Spermatogoniusm undergo mitosis –> primary spermatocytes
44XY Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 1 –> secondary spermatocytes
22X/Y Secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 2 –> spermatids
22X/Y spermatids differentiate –> spermatozoa –> mature sperm
- all occuring in seminiferous tubules
What are the Seminiferous tubules?
Describe their structure?
Each tubule surrounded by tunica popria ( flattened cells forming a basement membrane )
Lying against the inside of basement membrane are spermatogonia - as they move in they mature forming spermatocytes and then spermatids released into duct
Characteristics of Sertoli cells?
Within Seminiferous tubules
FSH receptors
Produce Inhibin
Function:
- support developing germ cells
- assist germ cell moving to tubular lumen
- transfer nutrients from capillaries to germ cells
Oogonium to Ova?
Oogonium ( mitosis ) –> 1^0 oocytes –> ( meiosis I ) 2^Oocytes –> ( meiosis II ) = OOtids
Ootids differentiate to Ova
What is a polar body?
A cell that separates from an oocyte during meiosis and that contains a nucleus produced in the first or second meiotic division and very little cytoplasm.
Steps occuring in folliculogenesis?
1 - primordial follicle 2 - Primary follicle 3 - Secondary follicle 4 - Mature follcile 5 - Ruptures surface of ovary 6 - Copus Luteum
1 - primordial follicle - 1 Oocyte at birth
2 - Primary follicle = Preantral : 10 Oocyte and layers of granulosa cells and outer theca cells
3 - Secondary follicle = Antral : Fluid-filled cavity (antrum) develops, FSH and LH receptors
4 - Mature follicle = graafian : Forms due to LH surge,
2 Oocyte formed
5 - Ruptures surface of ovary
6 - Copus Luteum :
Progesterone & oestrogen (stim by LH/HCG)
In pregnancy, progesterone & oestrogen production taken over by placenta
Female hormones?
Oestrogens : Oestrodiol, Oestrone, Oestriol
Progesterones : Progesterone
Androgens : Testosterone, Androstenedione, DHEA
Relaxin
Inhibin
Characteristics of Theca cells?
Asocciated with outer part of follicles
Function:
- support follicule development
- structural and nutrient support
- Hormone synthesis
- LH stimulates androgen synthesis
- overactivity = high androgen levels = infertility cause
Characteristics of Granulosa cells?
Associated with inner part of follicles
Function:
-Hormone synthesis:
FSH stimulates granulosa cells to convert androgens to oestrogens (by aromatase)
Secrete Inhibin & Activin (effects on FSH
-After ovulation:
Turn into granulosa lutein cells that produce:
Progesterone (-ve feedback, promote pregnancy by maintaining endometrium)
Relaxin (helps endometrium prepare for pregnancy and softens pelvic ligaments/cervix)
What is the hypothalamus - pituitary gonad axis?
Kisspeptin –> GnRH –> LH/FSH from gonadotrophs ( pituitary) –> Gonads –> Testosterone/Oestrogen (+ other)
What rhythm for Sex steroids have compared to GnRH+LH?
- Diurnal rhythm
- Pulsitile
Negative feedback?
Ostestrogen/progesterone feedbacks to kisspeptin
testerone?
Hyperprolactinaemia?
Prolactin binding to receptors on kisspeptin neurones inhibiting axis.
Low GnRH/LH/FSH/T/Oest
Olgio or amenorrhoea/ low libido, infertility or osteoporosis…
Hyperprolactinaemia?
Prolactin binding to receptors on kisspeptin neurones inhibiting axis.
Low GnRH/LH/FSH/T/Oest
Olgio or amenorrhoea/ low libido, infertility or osteoporosis…
What does each lobule in the testis contain?
male system
300 lobules in each testis separated by septa
Each lobule –> 1-4 coiled seminiferous tubules which have closed loops
Seminiferous tubules drain sperm into rete testis and then into epidydimis for storage ( can be palpated )
What is the function of the Vas deferens
male system
Sperm pass through its 40 cm length.
- male sterilisation - cutting vas deferens ( vesectomy )
How are all areas above the cervix kept sterile? ( important due to infection risk from peritoneal cavity)
4
( female system )
Shedding
Thick cervical mucous
Narrow external os
acidic pH
What is the smear test?
female system
Used to check for cervical cancer
Sample from external os of cervix
Where is the Ureter?
female system
1cm lateral to cervix
- important when thinking of cervical cancer
What can ectopic pregnancy be attributed to?
If fertilisation does not happen in the ampulla but somewhere else because the cilia/spiral muscles aren’t working = ectopic pregnancy
Leading to implantation outside the uterus mostly in tubes
Are Adrenals steroids made in the Theca or Granulosa?
In both e.g. Aldosterone, Corticoids etc ( in mitocondria )
Is Testosterone made in the Theca or Granulosa?
Theca cell
Where are the Estrogens made?
( 18 carbons )
In Granulosa after Theca starts it off
Where is Progesterone made?
Theca and Granulosa
- All Hormone and Steroidgenesis occurs in Leydig cells in men
