The Male Reproductive System (Physiology) Flashcards
Release of gonadotrophins is controlled by: (3)
Sex hormone levels
Lulibrin from hypothalamus
Inhibin from gonads
Which cells produces inhibin?
Sertoli cells
What do we call the condition in which testes fail to descend?
Cryptorchidism
Condition ( aging men) where the prostate gland is enlarged?
Benign prostate hyperplasia
What else is produced by sertoli cells?
Androgen binding protein
Which ANS is responsible for erection?
Parasympathetic nervous system
Which ANS is resp for ejaculation?
Sympathetic nervous system
What are the three cells of the testes, and their functions
Spermatogonia- sperm producing cells.
Leydig cells- secretes testosterone.
Sertoli cells- Nourish maturing sperms/support cells.
-synthesise androgen binding protein
Describe the process of spermatogenesis
Spermatogonium (sperm producing cells, 2n) undergoes mitosis to form many primary spermatocytes.
-Primary spermatocytes (2n) undergo meiosis 1 forming secondary spermatocytes(n).
-Secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 2 forming non-motile spermatids(n).
- Non-motile spermatids undergo structural changes (spermiogenesis) , and becomes the motile spermatozoa (n).
What does the sperm use for energy?
Fructose
What does the semen consist of?
Spermatozoa, and secretions from:
-vas deferens
-mucus from bulbo-urethral gland
-seminal vesicles
-prostate
What are some of the functions of testosterone? (4)
Stimulates the development of external genitalia.
Secondary sexual characteristics
Spermatogenesis
Increases libido and indirectly resp for erection.
Which hormone controls spermatogenesis?
FSH
Which hormone controls the production of testosterone?
LH
Explain how erection occurs
-A stimulus(in response to vision, auditory, imagined, olfactory or tactile stimuli) is sent to the brain.
-The parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated and it causes the vasodilation of the penile arterioles.
-Causes the penis to be erected.
