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Topic Outline
I. Overview
II. Testis
a. Seminiferous Tubules
b. Interstitial Tissue
c. Spermatogenesis
d. Temperature Regulation
III. Intratesticular Ducts
a. Tubuli Recti
b. Rete Testis
IV. Extratesticular Ducts
a. Ductuli Efferentes
b. Epididymis
c. Ductus Deferens
d. Urethra
V. Accessory Glands
a. Seminal Vesicles
b. Prostate Gland
c. Bulbourethral Glands
d. Capacitance
VI. Male Fertility
Objectives
differentiate the different tract structures
enumerate the different phases of spermatogenesis
trace the pathway of spermatozoa from the testis to the
penile urethra
list the functions of the different accessory glands
understand how these structures and processes impact
fertility
OVERVIEW
The male reproductive system consists of the testes,
intratesticular ducts, extratesticular ducts, accessory
glands, and penis.
Seminiferous Tubules
Seminiferous (Germinal) Epithelium
Spermatogenic Cells (germ cells)
Sertoli Cells (non-germ cells)
Basement Membrane
innermost layer contains flattened, smooth-muscle like
myoid cells which allow weak contractions of the tubule
TESTIS
Structure
Tunica Albuginea
o dense connective tissue capsule covering the testis
o homologous to the covering of the ovaries
Mediastinum Testis
o thickened portion of the tunica albuginea on the
posterior side of the testis
o sends out fibrous septa which penetrate and divide
the organ into 300 testicular lobules
Testicular Lobule
o occupied by 1 to 4 seminiferous tubules containing
spermatogenic cells and supporting cells (Sertoli
cells)
o surrounded by interstitial loose connective tissue
rich in blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and
endocrine interstitial cells (Leydig cells)
Function
production of male gametes
production of male sexual hormone
Sertoli Cells
approximately columnar or pyramidal cells that largely
envelop cells of spermatogenic lineage
the bases adhere to the basal lamina and the apical
ends frequently extend to the lumen
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Spermatogenesis
process by which spermatogonia (primitive germ cells)
become spermatozoa (mature, highly-specialized
gametes)
involves spermatocytogenesis (period of cellular
division) and spermiogenesis (metamorphic period
where no cellular division occurs)
Interstitial Tissue
filled with connective tissue containing
o mast cells and macrophages
o nerves
o lymphatics
o blood vessels
o interstitial cells of Leydig.
Leydig Cells
rounded or polygonal cells with central nuclei and
eosinophilic cytoplasm rich in small lipid droplets
contains receptors for luteinizing hormone
activated during embryonic life and puberty
Function
synthesis and endocrine secretion of testosterone
Embryonic Life
o testosterone synthesis stimulated by human
chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
o testosterone needed for the development of ducts
and other parts of the male reproductive system
Puberty
o testosterone synthesis stimulated by luteinizing
hormone (LH) from the adenohypophysis
o testosterone needed for development of the
secondary male sex characteristics
Spermatogonia
primitive germ cells located basally in the epithelium next
to the basement membrane
Type A
o Type A0 / Ad (stem cells)
dark; undergo clonal division but rarely divide
o Type A1 / Ap (progenitor cells)
pale; eventually divide into Type B
Type B
o undergo further mitosis
o final mitosis results in primary spermatocytes
o cellular divisions have incomplete cytokinesis thus
cells remain attached to one another via
cytoplasmic intercellular bridges
Spermatocytes
Primary Spermatocytes
o undergo meiosis I with a prolonged prophase (22
days)
o meiosis I is completed within the adluminal
compartment
Secondary Spermatocytes
o undergo rapid completion of meiosis II to produce
spermatids
o chromosomal cross-over occurs
Spermatids
thin, elongated cells with darker, more condensed nuclei
undergo spermiogenesis to become full-fledged and
mature spermatozoa
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testosterone
o converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and
estradiol which are essential for spermatogenesis
and normal development of tract organs
o exerts negative feedback on HPO axis
dual regulation both FSH and LH required for
quantitatively normal spermatogenesis (initiation /
maintenance / reinitiation)
Temperature Regulation
spermatogenic DNA polymerase B and recombinase
prefer lower optimal temperature (2 C lower than core
body temperature)
cryptorchidism (undescended testis) have no effect on
testosterone, however, body temperature may affect
enzymes
Regulation
o scrotum has thin skin, no fat, but have sweat glands
o cremaster muscle lowers or raises the testes
o dartos muscle tightens or loosens scrotal skin
o pampiniform plexus cools arterial blood near venous
blood via counter-current mechanism; this also
retains testosterone within testis)
INTRATESTICULAR DUCTS
within the mediastinum testis
cells arriving at the intratesticular ducts are still unable to
swim on their own
convey spermatozoa and liquid out of the testis to
efferent ducts
Tubuli Recti
Figure 7. Spermatogenesis.
Spermiogenesis
final stage in sperm production
process where spermatids transform to spermatozoa
no cell division occurs during this process
Phases
Golgi Phase
o migration of mitochondria to one end of the nucleus
o packaging of acrosomal enzymes by Golgi body
Cap Phase
o condensation of chromatin, elongation of body
o formation of acrosomal cap
Acrosomal Phase
o further condensation of nucleus
o elongation of one centriole as flagellum
Maturation Phase
o formation of axoneme and midpiece
o shedding of excess cytoplasm as polar (residual)
body
Figure 8. Spermiogenesis.
Spermiation
release of spermatids from the seminiferous tubules (60
days)
removal of excess cytoplasm and organelles (polar body)
o migrates distally as the immotile sperm moves
distally in the reproductive tract (testosterone
required)
glycoprotein coat around the acrosome
o removed by male FPP (fertilization-promoting
polypeptide) and female heparin
Hormonal Influences
FSH initiation of spermatogenesis prior to puberty
LH initiation of spermatogenesis (via testosterone)
after puberty
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Epididymis
EXTRATESTICULAR DUCTS
Ductuli Efferentes (Efferent Ductules)
drains the rete testis and empty into the epididymis
epithelium: non-ciliated cuboidal cells alternating with
taller ciliated cells
o shorter cells: more absorptive
o taller cells: more ciliated
this unique arrangement gives a scalloped-appearance
of the cells lining the epithelium (interspersed tall and
short cells)
ciliary action in the ductuli epithelial wall propels the still
non-motile spermatozoa towards the epididymis
removes 90% of testicular fluid (water, ions, proteins)
and concentrates secretions leading to a high
concentration of sperm cells than fluid volume
these might have a small lumen and may be confused
with seminiferous tubules containing spermatids
require FSH and estrogen receptors
Figure 13. Epididymis. tunica vaginalis (TV), blood vessels (V), duct of
epididymis (DE), stereocilia (arrow)
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Urethra
Membranous Urethra shortest and least dilatable
Prostatic Urethra most dilatable, usually 3 cm long
Penile Urethra (Spongy Urethra) longest, dilated at
the bulb and glans penis
ACCESSORY GLANDS
does not produce sperm
produces other secretions that contribute to the semen
Semen - the fluid expelled during ejaculation consisting
of seminal fluid and spermatozoa, including some
desquamated duct lining cells
Seminal Vesicles
a single, blind-ended, highly tortuous tube around 15 cm
in length, but does not serve any storage function
Figure 18. Seminal vesicle mucosal folds contain smooth muscles (SM)
covered by a thin lamina propria (LP)
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Clinical Correlates
Corpora Amylacea
small spherical concretions, often calcified
laminated amyloid structures
present as early as during fetal development
increases past 50 years old
higher occurrences in elderly
related to epithelialdegeneration
does not indicatehealth or age of the prostate
therefore, it has no clinical significance
Prostate Cancer
usually begins at the peripheral zone; more aggressive
forms of cancer arise from the smaller zones of the
prostate
treated differently depending on the site of malignancy
(either fibromuscular or secretory)
cancers within the core of the prostate are more
aggressive and deadlier
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
symptoms of (dysuria, nocturia, difficulty in initiating
streams, dribbling) is due to the hypertrophy of the
transitional zone which compresses the urethra.
Digital Rectal Exam
wear gloves, lubricate and after inserting, palpate
anteriorly to feel the prostate
o normal: small and soft
o tumor: hard
o benign hypertrophy: large and soft
in females, insert other finger through the vagina to
check if there are fistulas
Bulbourethral Glands (Cowpers Glands)
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.
Baby you're all that I want, when you're lyin' here in my
arms, I findin' it hard to believe, we're IN HIBIN ...
Capacitance
initiated by FPP
Destabilization of Acrosomal Cap
so that genetic material of male can combine with that of
the female
removal of steroids and glycoproteins
more fluid membrane
Increased Calcium Permeability
increased cAMP, increased
forward
motility,
hypermotility
#4
The Egg
.
.
.
Meaning: NALAMANGAN
Example: Wala ka pala eh! The egg na naman kita! Hahaha!
#5
Bakit malungkot ang mammalian embryo?
.
.
.
Kasi ALLANTOIS
#6
Anong TV programs and pinapanood ng mga mammalian
embryo?
.
.
.
E di CHORIONovelas
Carlos: Hello to my other anatomates (Anna x 2 and Earl)! Shoutout sa mga daga namin sa research, plz dont die. Congratulations
sa Medrhythmics sa MGMR, sobrang galing niyo! At siyempre,
hello kay Abby O.
Giselle: Ang tunay na lalaki, hindi nagsusuot ng skinny jeans.
Overly intense exercise is bad for your sperm kaya okay lang
maging chubby. :p
End of Transcript
#1
Knock, knock!
.
Inhibin
.
.
Would you know my name, if I saw you IN HIBIN ?..
Eric Clapton Tears in Hibin
#2
Knock, knock!
.
Inhibin (again)
.
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