2.1 Male Reproductive Anatomy Pt.2 Flashcards
1
Q
Sperm Problem:
A
Sperm must travel from the male seminiferous tubule to the female oviduct to fertilize the oocyte
- Long distance
- harsh female tract environment
2
Q
Sperm transport to the epididymis:
A
- sperm released from sertoli cells into seminiferous tubules
- sperm transported in fluid secreted by sertoli cells
- travel into rete testis, vasa efferentia, and epididymus
3
Q
Epididymal structure:
A
- Caput (head)
- Corpus (body
- Cauda (tail)
4
Q
Epididymal structure: Caput
A
- fluid from sertoli cells is resorbed causing sperm to become concentrated.
- sperm then is transported by muscles in epididymis
5
Q
Epididymal structure: Corpus
A
modification of environment and sperm maturation
6
Q
Epididymal structure: Cauda
A
sperm is stored here
7
Q
How long does passage through epididymus take?
A
10 days
8
Q
Epididymis maturation: sperm structure
A
- loss of cytoplasm to become more streamlined
- strips off cytoplasmic droplets off sperm tail
- condensation of nuclear chromatin
9
Q
Epididymis maturation: sperm membranes
A
- add surface glycoproteins to sperm head
- change membrane fluidity by changing the lipid composition of the membrane structure
- cholesterol selectively metabolized shifting the balance towards unsaturated fatty aids
10
Q
Epididymis maturation: metabolism
A
- depression of metabolic activity = prolong life of cell
- dependent on external fructose energy sources
11
Q
Epididymis maturation: motility
A
cAMP content of the tail increases allowing the acquisition of motility
12
Q
Where are sperm ejaculated?
A
in seminal plasma
13
Q
Seminal plasma derived from accessory glands:
A
- prostrate gland
- seminal vesicle
- ampulla
**bulbourethral (pigs)
14
Q
What determines ejaculate volume?
A
amount of seminal plasma
15
Q
Seminal plasma: Dog
A
- huge prostate
- no ampulla or seminal vesicle
