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Integrated Physiology > Unit 1 - Male & Female Reproduction > Flashcards

Unit 1 - Male & Female Reproduction Flashcards

1
Q

What is the role of the epididymis?

A

where sperm gain the ability to be motile

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2
Q

Finish the sequence:

Germ Cell > Spermatogonium > __________ > __________ > _________ > _________

A
  1. primary spermatocyte
  2. secondary spermatocyte
  3. spermatids
  4. mature sperm cells
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3
Q

After Mitotic Proliferation, what other two steps occur in spermatogenesis?

A

Meiotic division- generates genetic diversity, exchange of genetic material
Cytodifferentiation- packages genes for delivery to oocyte, elongates spermatids to become spermatozoa

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4
Q

Where are Sertoli cells found and what is their role? How do they fulfil this role?

A

Found in Seminiferous tubules.
Role- develop sperm
How? developing sperm attach to Sertoli cells via gap junctions (cell to cell)-creating a co-ordinated wave of Spermatogenesis, the cells transfer developmental proteins to spermatocytes and mediate androgen hormone action

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5
Q

What can Sertoli cells convert testosterone into? What is the benefit of this?

A

Convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone- passes into testicular fluid to stimulate male reproductive tract & spermatogenesis

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6
Q

Where are Leydig Cells found? What is their role?

A

Found in between seminiferous tubules- where androgens are synthesised e.g. synthesises testosterone and passed into blood (feedback on anterior pituitary and hypothalamus).

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7
Q

How does the hypothalamic- pituitary axis fulfil its role inducing the production of testosterone?

A

Hypothalamus releases Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), transported to anterior pituitary via hypophyseal portal vessels- this causes the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH & LH which induces the testes to produce testosterone

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8
Q

The hypothalamic pituitary axis is an example of a ______ _______ loop

A

negative feedback

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9
Q

What would be the consequences on male reproduction if the pituitary gland was removed?

A

shrunk testes
no spermatogenesis
Leydig cells deteriorate
testosterone output falls

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10
Q

What are the three zones of the epididymis?

A

Caput (head)
Corpus (body)
Cauda (tail)

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11
Q

What does each zone in the epididymis do?

A

Caput - fluid from Sertoli cells are reabsorbed (sperm concentration increases)
Corpus- modifies environment & sperm maturation
cauda- sperm storage

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12
Q

In the Corpus (body) of the epididymis, what modifications of the sperm are made? (4)

A
  1. sperm structure- cytoplasm is lost & condensation of nucleur chromatin via disulphide bridges
  2. sperm membranes- surface glycoproteins are added to the plasma membrane
  3. metabolism- lowering metabolic activity to prolong life of cell, increased dependency on external fructose for energy
  4. Motility- cAMP content of tail increased (more motility)
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13
Q

What is Seminal Plasma?

A

complex fluid comprised of secretions from seminal vesicles in the testis

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14
Q

What are accessory glands?

A

seminal vesicles, prostate gland, ampulla - any gland that secretes fluid into the urethra

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15
Q

What are some things that the Seminal Plasma contains?

A

Glycoproteins & decapitation factors
citric acid (stops cell coagulation)
acid phosphatas (phospholipid metabolism)
buffers (neutralise acidic pH of vaginal fluid)
prostaglandins (stimulate muscle contractions in female tract)

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16
Q

What are the benefits to castration?

A

controls behaviour
allows lambs/ piglets to grow larger before slaughter
unwanted pregnancies

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17
Q

Briefly describe the steps to a castration?

A
  1. anaesthetise
  2. skin incisions & removal of connective tissue
  3. expose scrotal contents- testicle epididymis, spermatic cord
  4. ligate blood vessels, remove testis (spermatic cord should remain) and close up wound :)
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18
Q

What is the purpose of vasectomising a ram?

A

Brings ewes into season using pheromones

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19
Q

What are the three different types of penis?

A
  1. Fibroblast Penis
  2. Musculovascular Penis
  3. Glans Penis
20
Q

What are some features of a Fibroblast penis?

A

found in rams, boars
contains sigmoid flexure which allows penis to be retracted into body until erection
sigmoid flexure is held by retractor penis muscles (relaxed muscles = penis protrudes)

21
Q

What are some features of a Musculovascular Penis?

A

found in stallions, humans

large corpus cavernosum fills with blood during erection- no sigmoid flexure but has retractor penis muscle

22
Q

What are some features of the Glans Penis?

A

highly specialised

androgen dependent spines (acts as an induced ovulator)

23
Q

What is special about an Echidna penis?

A
  • four branches (at erection one side of the penis retracts and the alternate side engorges)
  • ejaculation alternate between sides to help maintain sperm concentration
24
Q

What is special about the Argonaut Penis?

A

0 male places sperm in a tentacle called a hectocotylus- the tentacle detaches and swims towards the female.

25
Q

What are the two types of erection stimuli?

A

Visual Cues- watching mating in others, females in lordosis pose (displaying reproductive organs)
Olfactory cues- sniffing of the vulva, female urination, pheromones

26
Q

What is the mechanism of ejaculation?

A
  1. erection- stimulation of pelvic nerve, arterial dilation and increased blood flow
  2. relaxation of retractor penis muscle, straightens sigmoid flexure
  3. muscles of vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate contract causing spermatozoa & seminal plasma to be expelled.
27
Q

What are the stages of Copulation in the dog?

A
  1. First stage coitus- male mounts female, first and second fractions of semen ejaculated
  2. The turn- dog turns by lifting one leg over bitch
  3. Second stage coitus- third fraction of semen ejaculated, inter-uterine disposition maintains a high vaginal pressure
28
Q

What type of Oestrogen is found in females?

What role does it have? (3)

A

17b- oestradiol

  • induces secondary sexual characteristics
  • regulates secretion of gonadotrophins
  • stimulates growth of mammary gland and endometrium
29
Q

What types of Progesterone are found in female reproduction?

A

17a hydroxy-progesterone

20a hydroxy-progesterone

30
Q

What is the role of Progesterone in female reproduction? (3)

A
  • maintains uterus during pregnancy
  • suppresses secretion of milk
  • regulates secretion of gonadotrophins
31
Q

What is the structure of the Primary Follicle like? What does it consist of?
(4)

A
  • Contains one primary oocyte & one layer of granulosa cells
  • Also contains one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells
  • Zona Pellucida separates oocyte from granulosa cells
  • Granulosa cells are gonadotrophin- independent
32
Q

What is the structure of the Secondary Follicle like? (2)

A
  • multiple layers of granulosa cells

- theca cells form & differentiate into theca interna & theca externa

33
Q

What are the steps to Folliculogenesis?

A
  1. Granulosa cells secrete fluid & the antral follicle forms (graafian follicle).
  2. LH induces thecal cells to produce androgen androstenedione
  3. Androstenedione is a substrate for oestrogen- oestrogen levels rise
  4. FSH induces granulosa cell proliferation.
34
Q

Give an example of a positive feedback loop in Female Reproduction?

A

Androgens are converted to oestrogen by granulosa cells, this results in higher oestrogen levels and further stimulation of FSH & LH .

35
Q

What is the Graafian follicles role in ovulation? (3)

A

high levels of oestrogen causes an LH surge
proteolytic enzymes are released which weaken the follicle wall
The LH surge increases blood flow to the ovary, increasing follicular wall pressure causing it to rupture & release the oocyte.

36
Q

What is the Luteal Phase in female reproduction?

A

rapid invasion of blood vessels to form corpus haemorrhagicum, LH causes luteinisation of remaining granulosa & theca cells, leaving just luteal cells- these form the Corpus Luteum.

37
Q

What is Oestrus? What physical change can be seen that shows an animal is in Oestrus?

A

animals displaying receptivity to mating at ovulation- reflected in vaginal cytology (cells)

38
Q

What are the five stages of Oestrus? which hormone is dominant in each stage?

A
  1. Pro-oestrus (oestrogen dominant)
  2. Oestrus (oestrogen dominant)
  3. Metoestrus (transitional period)
  4. Dioestrus (progesterone dominant)
  5. Anoestrus (space in between cycles e.g. seasonal breeders)
39
Q

What are the three stages a sperm undergoes in fertilisation?

A
  1. Capacitation initiated (in uterus)
  2. Hyperactive motility
  3. Acrosome reaction & Fertilisation
40
Q

What does the Acrosome do?

A

contains enzymes that dissolves the zona pellucida

41
Q

What two things in the uterus aid in the motility of sperm?

A

Uterine Cillia

Uterine Contractions

42
Q

What is Sperm Co-operation?

A

sperm do not attack rival sperm (of the same ejaculate), instead they co-operate to gain competitive advantage

43
Q

What is Capacitation?

A

egg undergoes destabilisation of plasma membrane

44
Q

What are the two steps to Capacitation?

A
  1. Glycoprotein molecules coating the sperm head are removed, exposing the zona pellucida to binding proteins
  2. Sperm binds to the oocyte, increasing membrane fluidity.
45
Q

What is Hyperactivation? How and why does this occur?

A

strong, wild amplitude tail beats
Occurs due to intracellular calcium leading to elevated cAMP & extra force is required to swim through viscous environment in oviduct

46
Q

What are the stages in the acrosome reaction?

A
  1. After Capacitation has occurred, the fusion of the plasma membrane and outer acrosomal membrane occurs- this causes pores to open.
  2. the pores release hyaluronidase and acrosin enzymes.
  3. the enzymes digest the zona pellucida.

Integrated Physiology (9 decks)

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