Spermatogenesis Flashcards
Where are sperm produced?
testes
Where does sperm get stored?
epididymis
What happens in ejaculation?
sperm moves out epididymis via vas deferens to enter prostatic urethra as ejaculatory duct
What is the ejaculatory duct?
area where vas deferens combine with seminal vesicle outflow
Where’s testosterone produced?
testes
Why do testes lie in a scrotum outside the body?
Optimum temperature for sperm production - 1.5 - 2.5 degree below body temperature
How spongy tissue in penis assists in ejaculation?
spongy, very vascular, engorges with blood to produce erection
suppresses urethra so urine can not flow well when there is an erection
Orchidometer
measure testes size
site of spermatogenesis?
seminiferous tubules
What is the rete testis?
An area where all the seminiferous tubules come together
What happens in the rete testis?
All the sperm concentrate in this area
Journey of a sperm
- Produced in seminiferous tubes in lobules
- Concentrated in rete testis
- Stored in epididymis from rete testis
- Leads to vas deferens
- Which links to prostate urethra
What are the walls of the seminiferous tubules made up of?
Sertoli cells
Describe the type of cell sertoli cells are
Tall, columnar endothelial cells
Female equivalent of sertoli cells?
granulosa cells
What’s on basement membrane, between sertoli cells?
Spermatogonia
What’s between the seminiferous tubules?
- Ledwig cells
- Interstitial fluid
- Blood and lymphatic vessels
Difference between cells closer to tubule + cells further away
Closer = more mature
Further = less mature.
Cells become more mature as they travel closer to tubules
Which cells undergo mitosis and why?
Spermatogonium (primordial germ cells) undergo mitosis to increase the number of spermatogonium
B-Spermatogonium
Differentiating progenitors which commit to meiosis - forming primary spermatocytes.
Where’s B-Spermatogonium?
Move towards seminiferous lumen, between sertoli cells.
Leydig cells
produce testosterone
Female equivalent of Leydig cells?
theca cells
How do the sertoli cells divide tubules?
- Interstitial space
- Luminal compartment - run through middle of cells
- Adluminal compartment - seperated by sertoli cells