Spermatogenesis and Semen Evaluation Flashcards

1
Q

3 goals of spermatogenesis

A

Produce spermatozoa
Replenish supply of primordial stem cells
Create genetic diversity

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2
Q

Spermatozoa

A

Cells that are capable of fertilisation

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3
Q

3 phases of spermatogenesis

A
Proliferation phase (mitosis) (spermatocytogenesis)
Meiotic Phase (spermatidogenesis)
Differentiation phase (spermiogenesis)
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4
Q

Key parts of gross anatomy of testis

A

Head of epididymis
Testis
Tail of epididymis
Vas deferens

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5
Q

Sertoli cells

A

Support the process of spermatogenesis (structurally, provides nutrients and fluids, clears waste)
Tall cells from basement membrane to the lumen
Forms tight junctions (creates physical barrier)

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6
Q

Name of the barrier that divides the seminiferous tubule

A

Sertoli cell barrier
Sperm-testis barrier
Blood testis barrier

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7
Q

2 compartments that the seminiferous tubule is divided into

A

Basal compartment

Adlumenal compartment

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8
Q

Spermatogenic cell types (and what compartment)

A

Spermatogonia (basal)
Spermatocytes (adlumenal)
Spermatids (adlumenal)
Spermatozoa (adlumenal)

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9
Q

Proliferation phase

A

Spermatogonia (spermatogonial stem cells)
Cells divide and replicate by mitosis
Parent cell to 2 daughter cells diploid and genetically identical
Number of divisions depends on species
Some spermatogonia B cells go back to beginning (not all of them will become spermatozoa)
Intercytaplasmic ridges- joined together (have to do things in synchrony)- divide and replicate together

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10
Q

Meiosis Phase

A

2 phases
Cross over and random reassortment of DNA- creates genetic diversity
End up with genetically unique haploid cells
Start of prophase- primary spermatocytes
After prophase- secondary spermatocytes
Prophase relatively long (1/3 of whole process)
After second phase- spermatids- haploid

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11
Q

Differentiation phase

A

Starts with spermatids, ends with spermatozoa
No cell division or replication
Changing from round cell to morphological function
Needs to be able to get through zona pellucida and fertilise ovum- head
Needs to be able to move itself- tail- energy-mitochondria
4 phases
Spermiogenesis
After gets released into lumen

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12
Q

4 phases of differentiation phase

A

Golgi
Cap
Acrosomal
Maturation

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13
Q

Spermatozoa structure is ………… in each species

A

Different

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14
Q

Head of spermatozoa

A

Nucleus and acrosome and post-nuclear gap
Shape varies across species
Acrosome contains hydrolytic enzymes required for penetration of zona pellucida

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15
Q

Tail of spermatozoa

A

Self powered flagellum

Composed of: middle, principle and terminal piece

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16
Q

Overall length of spermatozoa

17
Q

DSO correlates with ………, good measure of …………

A

Size, fertility

18
Q

Cycle of seminiferous epithelium

A

How long it takes to go from germ cell (primordial stem cell) to final
1-2 months across species

19
Q

The Spermatogenic wave

A

Differences at any given instant in time along the seminiferous tubule:
Stage of spermatogenic cycle differs in adjacent regions of tubule
Finite region of tubules releasing sperm at given time
Each section contains different stages of development

20
Q

Endocrine regulation

A

Hypothalamus releases GnRH to anterior pituitary which releases LH and FSH
LH- leydig cells (intersitial compartment between seminiferous tubules)
Leydig cells produce testosterone (partly influences sertoli cells)
Negative feedback
FSH- sertoli cells

21
Q

What happens in:
The testes
The head and body of the epididymis
The tail of the ejaculation

A

Spermatozoa Produced
Mature
Stored until ejaculation

22
Q

If male is overworked, fertility …………..

A

Decreases
Process never speeds up
Ejaculate decreases

23
Q

Clinical relevance

A

Time for spermatozoa to be produced
Sperm-testis barrier
Semen evaluation

24
Q

What should you record in semen evaluation

A

Volume, colour, appearance

25
EEJ is more/less dilute than natural service
More dilute
26
Mass motility/wave motion
How many spermatozoa are motile Score 1-5 Low microscope power
27
Scoring of mass motility
``` 5= ~90% active (billowing clouds) 4= 70-80% active (clouds) 3= 45-65% active (fair), more grainy, less cloudy 2= 20-40% active (slow) 1= <20% active (poor) , very slow 0= nothing, all dead ```
28
Progressive motility
How many move in straight line Higher power on microscope Identify 10 separate spermatozoa and see if they are moving straight or in circles Repeat and average to get a proportion that have got progressive motility
29
Gross appearance
Score on how dense it looks Thick creamy, creamy, thin creamy, milky, cloudy, clear watery Careful of pus (makes it look dense)
30
Morphology
Head and tail abnormalities Tail- effects its ability to move progressively Head- effects its ability to get through zona pellucida
31
Head abnormalities
Crater defect Tapered heads Ruffled acrosome Knobbed acrosome
32
Tail abnormalities
Coiled tail Double midpiece Folded tail Detached head
33
Morphology defects
Primary vs secondary | Compensable vs non-compensable
34
Can measure density with........
A Haemocytometer
35
Things spermatozoa are sensitive to
Temperature (cold shock)- keep sample, glassware and staining fluids warm (~37*C) Water Bright light, blood, detergents, cigarette smoke, rubber bung in syringes