Reproductive system: Male reproductive tract Flashcards
What happens if the testes don’t descend?
Males are infertile –> Cryptorchidism
Label the diagram
Label the diagram
What is the movement of sperm from formation to ejaculation?
It is produced in the seminiferous tubules which then coalesces in the rate testis. The sperm then seperate again into the epididymis and then is transported by the vas deferens over the bladder and through the ejactulatory duct and out the penis
What does the epididymis do?
It matures sperm, gives it the ability to be motile and fertilise and reabsorbs liquid (therefore concentrates it)
How long does it take for sperm to get its motile and fertilising abilities?
10-14 days
Where are sperm stored primarily?
Vas deferens
What is the average length of the vas deferens? Where does it run from?
45cm
Runs from the epididymis up and around the bladder down to ejaculatory duct
What is the purpose of the seminal vesicles?
Secretes a mucoid substance that is alkaline, contains fructose, prostaglandins and clotting proteins
What might the function of prostaglandins be?
Induce contractions in the female reproductive tract
What are the three components of ejaculatory fluid?
1 - Prostatic fluid
2 - Sperm
3 - Seminal vesicle fluid
What is the purpose of the prostate fluid?
It is a secretion that is slightly acidic, contains citrate (for ATP), contains calcium and phosphate and contains Prostate Specific Antigen
What is the purpose of the clotting proteins in seminal vesicles?
Holds the seminal fluid in the vagina (like a clot) to prevent it from falling out
What is the purpose of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)?
Breaks down the co-agulum after a few minutes from the seminal vesicular fluid allowing the sperm to continue moving up to the fallopian tube
What is the composition of semen?
Sperm = 10%
Seminal vesicle fluid = 60%
Prostatic fluid = 30%
What is the pH of the semen? Explain
7.5, the strong base of the seminal vesicular fluid and the prostatic fluid buffer each other
What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
It is excessive growth of the prostate gland
What happens as the prostate gland grows?
As the prostate gland grows it is unable to expand outwards because the bladder is hard, this causes inwards growth which results in the prostatic urethra (shared duct into penis for both reproduction and urinal removal) being restricted
What is the affect of the prostatic urethra being restricted?
It means that bladder cannot empty completely which causes weakening of the bladder and potential urinary tract infections which could spread to the kidney and cause kidney disease
What are some non-invasive methods of treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Using Selective 5 α - reductase inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride
What does the Selective 5 α - reductase do?
It is an enzyme which converts testosterone into its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone
What do the Selective 5 α - reductase inhibitors do?
They (i.e. finasteride and dutasteride) inhibit Selective 5 α - reductase so that testosterone is not convert into dihydrotestosterone
How does reducing the amount of dihydrotestosterone stop BHP?
BHP is an androgen dependent disease. By removing the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone, the prostate growth can be stopped or reversed
Prostate cancer is a major disease, who many cancer cases in men are caused by prostate cancer?
29%
