Testicular Physiology

Question 1

When the reproductive system become active?

and what is the primary role of the reproductive system?

Answer 1

At puberty

The primary role is to produce offspring

– Production & delivery of gametes (sex cells: sperm & ova)

– Environment for development (uterus)

Question 2

Reproductive system is made up of:

Answer 2

Primary sex organs
• gonads (testes in male, ovaries in female)
– Accessory reproductive organs
• ducts, glands and external genitalia

Question 3

What are the Sex hormones produced by reproductive sysem

and what is the role of the sex hormones?

Answer 3

– Androgens (males)
– Estrogens and progesterone (females)

• Sex hormones play roles in:
– Development and function of the reproductive organs
– Sexual behaviour and drives
– Growth and development of many other
organs and tissue

-development of gamates (eggs or sperm)

Question 4

What is the role of the male reporoductuve system?

Answer 4

– Manufacture sperm
– Deliver sperm to female
reproductive tract
• In order to achieve these roles,
the male has specific:
– Ducts and glands
– Hormones

Question 5

Answer 5

Question 6

What is the role of scrotum?

Answer 6

• Sac of skin that is located outside of the body and houses the
testes in two compartments
• Position of testes increases vulnerability to damage but is
essential for production of spermatazoa
– Sperm production is best at 34 degrees (i.e. 3 lower than body temperature)

Question 7

Temperature regulation at scortm is achieved by which two muscles?

Answer 7

– Dartos muscle (smooth muscle): when contracted makes scrotum wrinkled and thick. Decreased heat loss.

– Cremaster muscle (skeletal muscle): when contracted brings scrotum and testes closer to body

. – Both muscles contract in cold and relax in warm temperatures

Question 8

The testes anatomy

Answer 8

Question 9

The testes is surrounded by ———

Each lobules contains——-

Answer 9

Surrounded by two membranes, the innermost projecting inward to subdivide the testes into about 250 lobules

the outer membrane is tunica albuginea

Each lobule contains seminiferous tubules – The factory for sperm production

Question 10

Sperm is collected in the —- and ——

Answer 10

Sperm is collected in the rete testis and efferent ducts

Each seminiferous tubule is surrounded by smooth muscle to help squeeze sperm out of testes and into the epididymis

Question 11

What is the sperm producing compartment of testes?

Answer 11

Sperm producing compartment Seminiferous tubules Sertoli cells, produce inhibins

Question 12

What is the androgen producing compartment of testes?

Answer 12

Androgen producing compartment Interstitial compartment - Leydig cells, produce Testosterone

Question 13

Both of the androgen producing and androgen producing part of the testes is regulated by—

Answer 13

Both are regulated by the pituitary and hypothalamus

Question 14

Leydig Cells

Answer 14

Leydig cells are interstitial cells present outside of the seminiferous tubules and secrete androgens importat for the process of spermatogenesis.

Question 15

Sertoli Cells

Answer 15

Sertoli cells are important for the development of spermatozoa Formation of tight junctions by adjoining Sertoli cells creates a separate luminal compartment within the seminiferous tubules

Question 16

Blood testes barrier

Answer 16

BLOOD TESTIS BARRIER
The tight junctions form and re-form to allow
spermatogonia to migrate into the luminal compartment
Sertoli cells secrete testicular fluid which carries the
spermatozoa to the epididymis where they mature and
Figure 80-6. gain motility