The Mammalian Male Reproductive System Flashcards
the three functions of the male reproductive system are
- produce sperm
- produce testosterone
- ejaculate semen during copulation
testes
male gonads
sperm production occurs in the
seminiferous tubules
The seminiferous tubules are located
within the testes
Testosterone production occurs in the
interstitial cells
interstitial cells are located
between the seminiferous tubules in the testes
sustentacular cells
prevent the immune system from attacking the developing sperm by forming the blood-testis barrier in each seminiferous tubule
Production of androgen binding protein occurs in the ________ when FSH binds to its receptors
sustentacular cells
rete testis
transport sperm into the head of the epididymis
the epididymis contains what 3 parts?
- caput (head)
- corpus (body)
- cauda (tail)
the caput of the epididymis
where fluid absorption occurs to increase the concentration of the sperm
corpus of the epididymis
where substantial maturation of sperm occurs
cauda of the epididymis
storage of sperm
ejaculation occurs in the
vas deferens
Sperm + Seminal Plasma =
semen
ampulla
contracts to speed up ejaculation
where is the ampulla found
prior to the juncture of the vas deferens and the urethra
seminal vesicles (or vesicular glands) supply what 3 things
proteins, sugars, and citric acid
prostate gland
cleanse and lubricate urethra, ass buffer and ions to activate sperm
bulbourethral gland
cleanse and lubricate the urethra, supply a gelatinous plug
DON’T USE COWPER’S GLAND
The 3 functions of the accessory fluids/seminal plasma are
- neutralize residual acidity in the urethra
- supply nutrients for the sperm
- activate the sperm
T or F: In some species, like the pig, they supply a gel that prevents the fertilization of the female by another male
true
the glans pensis is filled with
Nerves that are stimulated during copulation which induces ejaculation
the 2 penis types are
- fibro-elastic
- vascular
the fibro-elastic penis contains a large amount of
connective tissue
what 2 things control a fibro-elastic penis
- retractor penis muscle
- sigmoid flexure
T or F: the fibro-elastic penis can change in diameter and length
False; the vascular penis changes in length and diameter
the sigmoid flexure allows the penis to
come out of the sheath for copulation and ejaculation
after ejaculation is complete, the retractor penis muscle
pulls the penis back into the sheath, while the sigmoid flexure returns to its original location
the vascular penis contains
vascular tissue, with little to no connective tissue
an erection occurs in the vascular penis when
it fills up with blood
how many temperature regulations of the testes are there
4
pampiniform plexus
responsible for cooling arterial blood going into the testes and warming venous blood, leaving the testes going back to the body (concurrent heat exchange)
tunica dartos muscle
a thin layer of muscle that contracts when the testes are cold and relaxes when they are warm
cremaster muscle
pulls the testes closer or farther from the body, depending upon the temperature. It also provides support to the testicles
sweat glands
helps control the temperature by using evaporative cooling
T or F: Not all species have these sweat glands
true
where is the pampiniform plexus located
in the spermatic cord
where is the tunica dartos muscle located
within the scrotum
