The Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Which parts of the male reproductive tract produce elements of seminal fluid?
Seminal Vesicle
Prostate Gland
Transport of gametes starts in the…
testes
All seminiferous tubules drain into the…
mediastinum
Mediastinum
Dense CT with blood vessels
Contains rete testis
Where do gametes go after the rete testis?
Into the Efferent ductules
What epithelium is found in the Efferent ductules?
Efferent Ductules = Ductuli Efferentes
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Interspered with tall and short columnar cells
What is the difference between the short and tall columnar cells in the efferent ductues?
Short: microvilli - reabsorb fluid secreted in the seminiferous tubules
Tall: Cilia - move spermatids
Efferent Ductules Histology
Pseudostratified epithelium
Short and Tall columnar cells
Irregular appearance of lumen
CT between
From the Efferent Ductles, spermatids enter the…
Epididymis
What is the function of the epididymis?
Gamete maturation and storage
How are mature sperm modified in the epididymis?
Nuclear DNA condenses
Additional loss of cytoplasm
Alterations to acrosomal membrane (anterior pole)
Motility
What causes motility of spermatids?
Altered phosphatase activity regulated by cAMP, Ca2+, and intracellular pH
What epithelium is found in the epididymis?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
The Epididymis histologically
Epididymis = Ductus Epididymis
Lumen appears regular and smooth
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
What is the function of stereocilia in the epididymis?
Detect lumen contents
Regulates secretion and absorption by principal cells in order to make the right environment for maturation and storage of sperm
Prinicpal cells in the epididymis function to…
reabsorb fluid
secrete glycosylated products that aid in sperm maturation
partiticpate in decapitation
Cells in the epididymis are sensitive to…
androgens
Decapacitation factor
Blocks binding of sperm to ZP
Blocks fertilization
Decapitation
Addition of decapacitation factor in the epididymis to block fertilization
Capacitation
Removal of decapacitation factor in the female reproductive tract to permit fertilization
Sperm exit the epididymis into the…
vas deferens