Zero to Hero (Module 1)

Question 1

How many eggs would a baby girl be born with?

Answer 1

1 to 2 million eggs

Question 2

How many eggs would a girl have by the time they reach puberty?

Answer 2

300 thousand eggs

Question 3

When looking at the layers of the uterus, which layer is muscular and which layer is secretory?

Answer 3

Myometrium is the muscular layer and the endometrium is the secretory layer.

Question 4

Atresia is

Answer 4

the death of primordial follicles

Question 5

When the follicle is developing, is the oocyte also growing in diameter. True or False?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What are gonadotrophins?

Answer 6

Hormones produced by the Anterior Pituitary gland. For example, FSH and LH.

Question 7

In folliculogenesis, which follicles are dependant of gonadotrophins for their development, and which are not?

Answer 7

The recruitment and development of primordial follicles into primary follicles does NOT rely on gonadotrophins, it is regulated through local factors such as cytokines. From the secondary follicle onwards development of follicle is dependant on gonadotrophins.

Question 8

Seminal Vesicle

Answer 8

The organ in males responsible for secretion of 60-70% of total seminal fluid.

Question 9

Prostate

Answer 9

Seminal fluid 30-40%

Question 10

Accessory Glands

Answer 10

Seminal vesicle, prostate and bublurethral glands.

Question 11

Testis: function, development and content

Answer 11

2 functions: production of sperm and hormones.

Develops from posterior abdominal wall. Migrates down into the scrotum in the 7th month of gestation

Has a very tough covering, inside filled in with seminiferous tubules.

Question 12

Seminiferous tubules

Answer 12

Start and finish at the rete testis. Tough basement membrane, in between = interstitial cells (laydig cells)

Sertoli cells = granulosa cells (in females)

Myoid cells -> muscle cells that help squeeizing sperm out

Question 13

Sertoli cells

Answer 13

FSH, AMH, ABP, Inhibin

Question 14

Epididymis

Answer 14

3 regions: caput fluid reabs concentrates sperm, corpus super coiled super long 6m long in humans secretes secretions help with maturing sperm, cauda store sperm for maturation. 20 days for sperm to mature (approx)

Question 15

Rete testis

Answer 15

Drainage system that drains the fluid from the seminiferous tubules into efferent ducts.

Question 16

Scrotum

Answer 16

Sac of loose skin that contain the testis. Lots of sweat glands. “Dartos muscles” for contraction.

Question 17

Pampiniform venous plexus

Answer 17

Important for testicular temperature regulation. It prevents testicles from overheating through the countercurrent heat exchange between arteries bringing warm blood into the testes and veins taking cool blood out.

Question 18

Gubernaculum

Answer 18

Ligament at the bottom of the testis that connects them to the scrotum

Question 19

Vas Deferens

Answer 19

Transport (thus muscular) through peristalsis from the epididymis into the urethra.

Question 20

Seminal Vesicles secrete __________ of the seminal fluid. What exactly is seminal fluid and what does it contain?

Answer 20

60-70% of the seminal fluid.

Seminal fluid is an alkaline secretion that helps to neutralize vaginal acidity and nourish the sperm.

The secretion contains fructose to nourish the sperm, prostaglandins to signal the presence of sperm to the female body, citric acid to regulates pH. It also contains mucus, enzymes, and clotting proteins.

Question 21

Prostate gland

Answer 21

Depends on DHT (dihydrotestosterone) for growth and development. The enzyme that takes testosterone and makes it into DHT is 5a-reductase.

The prostate gland secretes 30-40% of seminal fluid, containing bicarbonate and citric acid to regulate pH. The secretion also contains proteins, PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which can be used by clinicians as a marker for prostate cancer. PAP is also present, prostate acid phosphatase.

Question 22

PSA (prostate specific antigen)

Answer 22

Marker for prostate disease (cancer included).

Question 23

Cowper’s glands = bulbourethral glands

Answer 23

secretes pre-ejaculate, lubricating the glans penis before penetration, also helps in reducing the acidity of the vagina.

Question 24

Urethra regions

Answer 24

Prostatic: receiving sperm from vas deferens

Membranous: acts as a functional sphincter so that when the male is ejaculating, no ejaculate retrogrades into the bladder

Cavernous: runs the length of the penis.

Question 25

Penis regions

Answer 25

3. Root (base), shaft, glans (head). Consists of erectile tissue and urethra

Question 26

Erectile tissues

Answer 26

Corpus spongiosum (protective tissue) and around central arteries are the corpora cavernosa (plural).

Question 27

The erection mechanics

Answer 27

ANS

para -> releases NO -> increases cyclic GMP -> blood flow increases in corpora cavernosa -> veins are compressed -> blood comes in but not out -> erection.

Question 28

How does Viagra works?

Answer 28

stops breakdown of cyclic GMP

Question 29

Ejaculation mechanics

Answer 29

sympa -> releases NA -> contraction of vas deferens

Question 30

Baculum

Answer 30

Bone in the penis (dogs, racoons, walrus have them).

Question 31

In humans, how long does it take for the maturation of sperm to occur?

Answer 31

3 months all together (testes and epididymis)

Question 32

The enzyme that converts testosterone into oestrogens

Answer 32

Aromatase

Question 33

The enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Answer 33

5a-reductase

Question 34

The enzyme that converts cholesterol into pregnenolone (which will then become testosterone)

Answer 34

side chain cleavage

Question 35

What would happen to spermatogenesis after hypophysectomy?

Answer 35

Spermatogenesis would cease, as without the pituitary gland, no LH or FSH is produced, and without LH no testosterone is produced, halting spermatogenesis.

Question 36

What would happen to a male patient that was immunised against GnRH but received pure FSH?

Answer 36

Without GnRH, LH and FSH would not be produced. Without LH no testosterone is produced, halting spermatogenesis. However, with FSH being introduced ??

Question 37

Where is PGF2a produced?

Answer 37

In the endometrium

Question 38

Describe how PGF2a contributes to luteolysis both structurally and functionally.

Answer 38

PGF2a elicits the release of TFN-alpha which prevents blood of getting to the corpus luteum (necrosis).

Stimulates cytokine expression (endothelin-1) disrupting the production of progesterone.