Spermatogenesis Flashcards

1
Q

Where are sperm produced?

A

testes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Where does sperm get stored?

A

epididymis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What happens in ejaculation?

A

sperm moves out epididymis via vas deferens to enter prostatic urethra as ejaculatory duct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the ejaculatory duct?

A

area where vas deferens combine with seminal vesicle outflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where’s testosterone produced?

A

testes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why do testes lie in a scrotum outside the body?

A

Optimum temperature for sperm production - 1.5 - 2.5 degree below body temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How spongy tissue in penis assists in ejaculation?

A

spongy, very vascular, engorges with blood to produce erection
suppresses urethra so urine can not flow well when there is an erection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Orchidometer

A

measure testes size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

site of spermatogenesis?

A

seminiferous tubules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the rete testis?

A

An area where all the seminiferous tubules come together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What happens in the rete testis?

A

All the sperm concentrate in this area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Journey of a sperm

A
  1. Produced in seminiferous tubes in lobules
  2. Concentrated in rete testis
  3. Stored in epididymis from rete testis
  4. Leads to vas deferens
  5. Which links to prostate urethra
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the walls of the seminiferous tubules made up of?

A

Sertoli cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the type of cell sertoli cells are

A

Tall, columnar endothelial cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Female equivalent of sertoli cells?

A

granulosa cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What’s on basement membrane, between sertoli cells?

A

Spermatogonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What’s between the seminiferous tubules?

A
  1. Ledwig cells
  2. Interstitial fluid
  3. Blood and lymphatic vessels
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Difference between cells closer to tubule + cells further away

A

Closer = more mature
Further = less mature.
Cells become more mature as they travel closer to tubules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Which cells undergo mitosis and why?

A

Spermatogonium (primordial germ cells) undergo mitosis to increase the number of spermatogonium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

B-Spermatogonium

A

Differentiating progenitors which commit to meiosis - forming primary spermatocytes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Where’s B-Spermatogonium?

A

Move towards seminiferous lumen, between sertoli cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Leydig cells

A

produce testosterone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Female equivalent of Leydig cells?

A

theca cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How do the sertoli cells divide tubules?

A
  1. Interstitial space
  2. Luminal compartment - run through middle of cells
  3. Adluminal compartment - seperated by sertoli cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Adluminal compartment

A

sertoli cells form tight junctions between each other keeping developing sperm in confined compartments in the walls of tubules

26
Q

Why are tubules divided into different compartments?

A

keeps spermatogonia in specialised environment to pick up nourishment + secretions from sertoli cells

27
Q

Blood-testis barrier

A

sertoli cells form between interstitial space + inside of tubule preventing immune system from invading or looking into testis

28
Q

Why immune-related issues in vasectomy?

A

testis content can leak into circulation - immune bodies see sperm + produces antibodies against individual’s own sperm

29
Q

A spermatogonia

A

germ cells - divides mitotically to replenish themselves forever

30
Q

B spermatogonia

A

commit themselves to meiosis to produce spermatozoa

31
Q

What are the changes that sperm undergo as they move towards the lumen?

A
  1. Meiosis occurs
  2. Become haploid
  3. Undergo morphological changes
32
Q

Female gamete production

A
  1. Oogonia all laid down in foetus
  2. Oogonia undergo meiosis to become oocytes
  3. Oogonia can’t produce more oocytes by mitosis
  4. Limited supply of oocytes
33
Q

Male gamete production

A
  1. Spermatogonia laid down in foetus
  2. Spermatogonia may either undergo meiosis to become spermatocytes OR undergo mitosis to replenish their supplies
  3. Limited supply of oocytes whilst lifetime supply of spermatogonia
34
Q

stages of spermatogenesis

A
  1. Mitotic proliferation of spermatogonia
  2. Meiosis + development of spermatocytes (cell)
  3. Spermiogenesis - morphological changes of cell
35
Q

What are the different types of spermatogonia?

A

3 different types:

  1. Ad - A dark
  2. Ap - A pale
  3. B
36
Q

Morphological changes of maturing sperm?

A
  1. Elongation (tail)
  2. Loss of cytoplasm
  3. Movement of cellular content
37
Q

Difference between HPG-Axis in males and females?

A

Females - cyclical - runs on a cycle

Males - Equilibriumone

38
Q

FSH receptors

A

on Sertoli cells

convert testosterone into oestrogen via activation of Aromatase

39
Q

No FSH?

A

sertoli cells die

40
Q

No LH?

A

sertoli cells would not be able to maintain and regulate spermatogenesis

41
Q

How are secondary sexual characteristics produced?

A

Androgens bind to “Androgen Binding Proteins” which get transported via circulation

42
Q

Why do body builders who use steroids usually have low sperm count?

A

Steriods = include testosterone
Exogenous steroids = work on HPG-Axis to down regulate due to negative feedback.
Reduces LH/FSH release from pituitary leading to testicular atrophy = decreased sperm production

43
Q

What is the corpus cavernosum?

A

Spongy tissue which is highly vascular.

44
Q

What happens during an erection?

A

Blood flow to penis increases from dilation

Venous return restricted so penis is bloated

45
Q

Which ANS component controls the erection?

A

Parasympathetic system - Point

46
Q

Which ANS component controls movement of sperm in the epididymis, vas deferens and penile urethra?

A

(Emission)

Sympathetic system - Shoot

47
Q

Which nervous component controls the expulsion of glandular secretions and evacuation of urethra?

A

(Ejaculation)

Somatic NS - Perineal branch of the pudendal nerve S2-S4

48
Q

Which portion of the ejaculate is sperm rich?

A

The initial portion

49
Q

Seminal fluid consists of secretions from:

A
  1. Seminal vesicles
  2. Prostate
  3. Bulbo-urethral gland
  4. Epididymal fluid
50
Q

bulbo-urethral gland

A

produces pre-ejaculate: clear, viscous secretion high in salt

51
Q

pre-ejaculate

A
  1. Lubricate urethra for spermatozoa to pass through at a high speed without damaging them
  2. Neutralise traces of acidic urine + getting rid of bacteria
52
Q

What is seminal vesicle fluid made up of?

A
  1. Proteins
  2. Enzymes
  3. Fructose
  4. Mucus
  5. Vit C
  6. prostaglandins
53
Q

What is the significance of fructose?

A

It is the energy source for sperm movement

54
Q

What is the significance of prostaglandins?

A

It increases pH to help protect against acidic pH of vagina.

55
Q

What does the prostate secrete?

A

A milky or white fluid

56
Q

What is the prostatic fluid made up of?

A

<1% protein content:

  1. Including preoteolytoc enzymes
  2. Prostatic acid
  3. Phosphatase
  4. Prostate specific antigens which are involved in liquefaction
  5. High concentrations of Zinc
57
Q

Why jelly-like ejaculate?

A

cascade - allows it to enter a single area + not leak out

58
Q

What allows the sperm to get through the zona pellucida?

A

Has sac of acrosome at the tip - proteolytic enzymes which digest outer layer of egg

59
Q

mitochondrial sheath

A

Machinery for energy production - fructose breakdown

60
Q

Female equivalent of bulbo-urethral gland?

A

Bartholin’s

61
Q

What is the significance of high zinc?

A

antibacterial