Week 1 - Histology of Reproductive Tract Flashcards
What do Seminiferous Tubules make?
Sperm
What type of epithelium are seminiferous tubules lined by?
Complex Stratified Epithelium
What are 3 Functions of Peritubular tissue (lamina propria)?
- Propels sperm from testis to vas deferens
- Structural support
- Androgen receptors
Sertoli Cells info
Important note - Sertoli cells don’t have any developing germ cells in it
What are some of the functions of Sertoli Cells?
- Principial Role: Support spermatogenesis in response to FSH and Testosterone
- Sex determination: express SRY
- Developmental: Prod Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
- Hormonal Regulation: Target of substances with hormone-like action
- Stem cell Regulation: GDNF - ensures self-renewal
- Form Blood-Testis barrier: protects immature sperm from being removed by immune system
What is Intertubular tissue?
= Loose connective tissue with vessels. nerves, lymphocytes
- also contain Leydig cells
What are Leydig Cells?
= Site of testosterone production
- contains lots of SER (for steroidogenesis)
What is Spermatogenesis?
Process of cell proliferation and maturation from diploid germ cells into haploid spermatozoa over 70 days
Three Important Sequences in it:
1. Mitosis of spermatogonia
2. Meiosis from spermatocytes to round spermatids
3. Spermiogenesis = differentiation into spermatozoa
What is Spermiogenesis?
Final stage of Spermatogenesis
Cycle of Spermatogenesis
What is the Rete Testis?
The passageway for exit of sperm from the testis into the duct system
What is the Epididymis? What type fo epithelium? What can be stored in it? What type of muscle? What do they contain?
= Pseuodstratified Epithelium
= Peitubular smooth muscle
- Sperm can be stored in it for weeks
- Contain non-motile Stereocilia
- Also the point where sperm gain initial motility
What is the Vas Deferens? What does it arise from? Whats the function?
- Arises from the epididymal tubule with similar epithelium and thicker smooth muscle wall
- Contractile to move sperm through ejaculatory duct
- Can also absorb sperm via stereocilia
What is the Prostate Gland? What type of epithelium? What does it do?
= Capsule with fibromuscular septa forming lobules
- Heterogenous epithelium (cuboidal, columnar and pseudostratified)
- Secretes watery liquid with zinc, citric acid, prostoglandins, proteolytic enzymes
What does the wall of the Uterus contain?
Endometrium and Myometrium