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Year 2 - Reproduction, Nephrology and Urology > Male Reproductive Endocrinology > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Endocrinology Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two compartments in the testes?

A

The seminiferous tubules and interstitium.

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2
Q

What cells are in the seminiferous tubules and interstitium?

A

Seminiferous tubules - serotoli cells

Interstitium- leydig cells

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3
Q

What are the three main cells that end up forming a sperm?

A

Spermatogonia
Spermatocytes
Spermatids

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4
Q

What are the two type of spermatogonia?

A

Types A and B

  • type A is split into dark and pale forms
    • Dark As divide to form one dark A and one pale A
    • pale A mature into type B spermatogonia
  • type B mature into primary spermatocytes
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5
Q

How do spermatocytes become spermatids?

A

Primary spermatocytes enter MEIOSIS I
This results in the production of secondary spermatocytes
These undergo MEIOSIS II to produce spermatids

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6
Q

How to spermatids become spermatozoa?

A

The differentiate (called spermiogenesis)

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7
Q

How does spermiogenesis occur?

A 
Turns from round to elongate (no more cell divisions)
Grows a tail for propulsion 
Midpiece forms - mitochondria 
Acrosome forms 
Cytoplasmic remodelling 
Nucleus compacts
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8
Q

What is the residual body and what happens to it?

A

It’s a bin for excess cytoplasm after spermiogenesis has happened, and it’s phagocytosed by SC

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9
Q

Describe the head, tail and midpiece of the sperm.

A

Head - is a nucleus with compacted and inactive DNA, surrounded by an across me containing enzymes to break into the egg
Midpiece - central filamentous core with many mitochondria
Tail - propels the sperm

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10
Q

What regulates spermatogenisis?

A

HPG axis

  • hypothalamus releases GnRH
  • GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH
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11
Q

What is the action of FSH and LH?

A

FSH stimulates serotoli cells to increase spermatogenisis and inhibin production.
LH cells stimulate the leidig cells to produce more testosterone which also stimulates the serotoli cells
Testosterone and inhibin suppress the anterior pituitary
Inhibits suppresses GnRH release

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12
Q

What are the functions of testosterone?

A

Allow development and function of the male reproductive organs
Sustain secondary sex characteristics
Stimulate spermatogenesis

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13
Q

How long does it take to make a mature sperm?

A

64 days - begins at puberty, and ends at death

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14
Q

What are endocrine disruptors?

A

Exogenous substances that disrupt normal endocrine function

- can increase or decrease it

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15
Q

What can endocrine disruptors affect?

A 
The endocrine organ itself
Related tissues
Hormone or receptor
Human or animal
Can be natural or man-made
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16
Q

Name some categories of endocrine disruptors

A

Natural hormones
Natural chemicals
Synthetically produced pharmaceuticals
Man-made chemicals

17
Q

What are natural hormones, and give some examples.

A

They are hormones released into the environment

- e.g. Sewage slurry spread on fields

18
Q

What are natural chemicals, and give some examples.

A

These are produced by plants or fungi

- e.g. Phosphoestrogen

19
Q

Give some examples of synthetically produced pharmaceuticals.

A

Contraceptive pill

Treatments for hormone responsive cancers

20
Q

Give some examples of man-made chemicals, (that are endocrine disruptors)

A 
Some pesticides (DDT)
Chemicals in some products (some plastic additives)
Industrial chemicals (PCBs)
21
Q

How do endocrine disruptors work? (3 different mechanisms)

A

1) mimic hormone biological activity by binding to a receptor and activating it (agonist)
- too much hormone activity at an inappropriate time
2) bind to a receptor to prevent binding of the natural hormone (antagonist)
- prevents normal hormone action
3) interferes with metabolic processes in the body
- affects synthesis or breakdown of natural hormones

22
Q

What reproductive problems can endocrine disturbers cause?

A 
Reduced fertility
Menstrual problems 
Early puberty 
Brain/behavioural problems 
Cancers
23
Q

What are phthalates?

A

Man-made chemicals that may be a risk to human development (especially male infants)

24
Q

Where are phthalates found?

A 
Dialysis tubing
Solvents
Insect repellents
Building materials
Car parts 
Cosmetics
25
Q

What changes happened to rats in utero when exposed to the phthalate DBP?

A

Reduction in testosterone and Insl3 production be leidig cells
- abnormal testes development
Decreased germ cell numbers and delayed differentiation

26
Q

What problems did rats experience postnatally when exposed to DBP?

A

Cryptorchidism
Hypospadias
Infertility
Germ cell cancer

27
Q

What are the symptoms and problems associated with TDS (caused by phthalate exposure)?

A

Cryptorchidism
Low sperm count
Cancer
Reduced androgen action

28
Q

Why is it called TDS when not all the symptoms are testes related?

A

They are due to abnormal testicular development

  • leidig cells cause hypospadias and Cryptorchidism
  • serotoli cells cause decreased semen quality and TGCC
29
Q

What can be done for people with TDS?

A

Nothing
Can treat the symptoms but not the condition
Anabolic steroids

30
Q

What are anabolic steroids and how do they act?

A

It’s a synthetic androgen

Has mild testosterone like effects - 2dary sex characteristic development

31
Q

What happens if someone has too many anabolic steroids?

A

Affects negative feedback for HPG axis
Testis atrophy due to no hormone acting on them
Sterility
Can also cause kidney and liver damage

32
Q

What is phytoestrogen and what does it do?

A

It’s a naturally occurring substance in plants that has oestrogenic effects
- reduced fertility but cancer protection in animals

33
Q

What is diethylstilbesterol (DES)?

A

It was a synthetic oestrogen prescribed to pregnant women in order to prevent spontaneous abortion and promote foetal growth.
Banned because it affected reproductive development and caused vaginal cancer in the kids

Year 2 - Reproduction, Nephrology and Urology (14 decks)

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