Sperm Storage, Transport, and Male Sexual Dysfunction Flashcards
Describe the process of ejaculation based on its component parts
Sperm is produced in the testes and stored in the epipdidymis until ejaculation, where it travels via the vas deferens to the ampulla where it is combined with semen (fluid) from seminal vesicles, and together they travel through the prostate gland to the urethra
Where is sperm made?
seminiferous tubules (seperated by septa). The seminiferous tubules connect to the retes testes and then to the epididymis, consisting of a head, body and tail region
Describe seminiferous tubules
Outlining these tubules is a basement membrane lined with fibrolasts, and around/ in-between the tubules lies interstitial cells (aka Leydig cells- produce testosterone) and capillaries. Within the tubules lie nurse cells (Sertoli cells) on the periphery that help sperm production. Sperm production begins on the outer-most periphery of the tubules in sperm stem cells (spermatogonia) which develop and move inward toward a lumen of the tubule by dividing via mitosis and meiosis to produce almost-mature spermatozoa.
What happens to spermatozoa?
It isnt properly mobile, so it goes to the epididymis to mature and for storage until ejaculation
Describe spermatogenesis
Diploid permatogonia (2N, 46) divide via mitosis to produce diploid primary spermatocytes (4N, 46) (daughter cells), which then undergo two meioses to produce haploid secondary spermatocytes (2N, 23) and finally haploid spermatids (N, 23) to complete spermatogenesis. After spermatogenesis is complete, a process called spermiogenesis begins that allows spermatids to develop into immature spermatozoa (loss of cytoplasmic contents and gain or acrosomal cap) that can travel to the epididymis
NOTE: impaired tail mobility can lead to infertility (seen in ciliary dyskinesia/Kartagener’s syndrome)
Describe the other components of semen
Sperm from the vas deferens combines with seminal fluid containing fructose and prostaglandins from the seminal vesicles in the ejaculatory duct and then pass through the prostate (where prostate fluid is secreted to make up the additional 30% of the semen fluid) and then to the urethra. After passing through the prostate, the bulbo-urethral glands add a thick alkaline fluid that neutralizes an acidic fluid from the urethra
A typical ejaculation contains about 2-5 ml of semen and about 20-100 million sperm cells
How is the flaccid vs. erect state of the penis maintained
Centrally-perceived sensual stimuli are relayed to a spinal cord center involving sympathetic nerve fibers at levels T-10 to L2, and to another involving parasympathetic nerves at levels S2-S4. Tonic activity of the sympathetic neurons maintains flaccidity. Stimulation of the parasympathetic sacral segments produces erection.
Erection notes
Erection may occur in response to central stimuli (psychogenic erection) or in response to tactile stimulation of the penis via a direct sacral reflex arc (reflex erection).
In addition, nonsexual, nocturnal erections normally occur 3-4 times/night during periods of REM sleep, beginning with adolescence.
Most men are aware of an erection when they awaken in the morning. Early morning erections demonstrate physiologic ability to attain erection; asking patients about the presence or absence of erections on awakening can therefore help differentiate organic from psychogenic causes of erectile dysfunction.
Important things to know about erection
1) sacral parasympathetic input is responsible for tumescence (erection);
2) the thoracolumbar sympathetic pathway is responsible for detumescence (flaccid state);
and 3) emission of semen (as opposed to erection) is a sympathetic event. (mnemonic: “Point and Shoot” [parasympathetic vs. sympathetic])
What are the absolute prerequisites for erection?
a) an adequate arterial inflow; and b) sufficient nitric oxide synthase activity to generate nitric oxide
How does erection occur?
Normally, sympathetic output maintains a flaccid state, but given an appropriate stimulus, parasympathetic putput from spinal segments S2-S4 activate NOS which promote the synthesis of NO via cGMP mechanism to produce cavernous smooth muscle relaxation and artery engorgement
What are some causes of decreased libido?
- Medications (e.g., SSRIs, anti-androgens, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, and opioids)
- Alcohol or other recreational drug use
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Relationship problems
- Systemic illnesses
- Testosterone deficiency
How is Erectile dysfunction (ED) defined?
Defined as the consistent or recurrent inability to acquire or sustain an erection of sufficient rigidity and duration for sexual intercourse. It is the most common sexual problem in men.
The prevalence of ED increases with age, with a range of 8% during the 3rd decade and increasing to 37% of men aged 70-75. Still, ED should not be simply be attributed to “age”.
Many of the causes of ED are more common as men age, and specific diagnoses should be identified.
In addition to age, what are the best predictors of ED?
Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, smoking, and medication use. Of note, many of these are classic cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. It should therefore not be surprising that ED may be an early warning sign of future CV events, suggesting that CV screening of men with ED may be prudent.