Male Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

where is sperm mainly made?

A

Main structure where sperm Is produced is the testicles in the scrotum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

why are the testes outside your body

A

Testicular temp has to be lower that the body’s that’s why it is outside of the abdominal cavity so it is 1 or 2 degrees lower

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Posterior to the testes is a gland called the _________ and this is the storage site of sperm where they mature for _ months

A

epididymis

3

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Epididymis is connected to the ___ ________ and this passes through the ________ region and the secretions of the ______ vesicles and the _______ gland are added and converges to one tube to the _______ and travels outside the body

A

vas deferens

inguinal

seminal

prostate

urethra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is the process/route of sperm?

A

Sperm made in testes > stored in epididymis > then travels to vas deferens > coils around the bladder > seminal vesicles and prostate make the fluid which is semen > carried along the urethra and travels out of penis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is required ofr male fertility?

A

For male fertility the structure, function and pathway of sperm needs to be intact

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

1

A

epididymis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

2

A

prostate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

3

A

penis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

4

A

urethra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

5

A

testes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

6

A

scrotum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is the testes divided into?

A

lobules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what divides the testes into lobules?

A

Fibrous capsule surrounding called the tunica albuginea and this is what divides it into different lobules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

where is sperm made in the testes?

A

Sperm production in the seminiferous tubules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

All seminiferous tubules merge and move where?

A

to the head of the epididymis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Epididymis has 3 parts – what are they?

A

head, body and tail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

A

A

head of epididymis

19
Q

B

A

seminiferous tubules

20
Q

C

A

tunica albuginea

21
Q

D

A

vas deferens

22
Q

E

A

body of epididymis

23
Q

F

A

tail of epididymis

24
Q

what surrounds the seminiferous tubules?

A

basememnt membrane

25
Q

There are three types of cells within the seminiferous tubules

what are they?

A

Germ cells (purple)

Sertoli/substentacular cellsproducing cell, produce inhibin

Interstitial (Leydig) cells

26
Q

what is the function of Germ cells (purple)?

A

produce sperm, different stages and as they are produced they are driven towards the lumen of the testes

27
Q

what is the function of Sertoli/substentacular cells?

A

support sperm producing cell, produce inhibin

28
Q

what is the function of Interstitial (Leydig) cells?

A

produce testosterone, in-between seminiferous tubules

29
Q

what is the function of the testes?

A

Sperm production – millions of viable sperm per day, average time form production to ejaculation is 64 days

Testosterone production – male secondary sexual characters, controls spermatogenesis

30
Q

What is the Endocrine Control of Testicular Function – Reproductive hormone?

A
  • GnRH – gonadotrophin releasing hormone, produced from hypothalamus
  • Gonadotrophins – FSH and LH, released from anterior pituitary
  • Testosterone – released form testicles

Need enough hormones for the process of sperm production to happen and need to interact correctly

  • FSH = sperm
  • LH = testosterone
31
Q

If you take testosterone supplements then your own axis will be ___________

A

suppressed

32
Q

Inhibin produced by fertilized cells and creates negative feedback on ______ ______

A

anterior pituitary

33
Q

Sperm production form the _______ germ cells

A

primordial

34
Q

Average cycle of spermatogenesis is __ days in which the germ cells pass through different developmental stages

A

64

35
Q

Two distinct phases during the development in spermatogenesis, what are they?

A

Spermatocytogenesis – clonal expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic process

Spermiogenesis – differentiation into mature sperm cells

Process starts at puberty and continues lifelong

36
Q

what is mitosis, meiosis and a spermatid?

A

Mitosis – one germ cell splits into 2, duplication

Meiosis – the daughter cells only have half the number of chromosomes

Spermatid not capable of fertilization – in spermiogenesis they turn into mature sperm cells through differentiation

37
Q

what is the process of Chromosomal division during spermatogenesis?

A
  • One mitotic division – spermatogonium to primary spermatocyte-duplication, diploid chromosomes number (46)
  • First meiotic division – primary spermatocyte to secondary spermatocyte, two cells with haploid chromosome number (23)
  • Second meiotic division – secondary spermtocyte to spermatid, two cells with haploid chromosome number (23)

(spermatogenesis – maturation of spermatids into functional sperm cells)

38
Q

What are factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A
  • Medical
  • Lifestyle
  • Combination
39
Q

medical factors affecting spermatogenesis can be put into what two categories?

A
  • Pretesticular – problem with the hormonal control
  • Testicular – problem at the site of production
40
Q

what are pretesticular medicla factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Functional – excessive weight loss, gain

Intracranial tumours, cysts, bleed

prolactinoma

Medications – opiates, external testosterone, steroids (body building)

Genetic – Kallmanns syndrome

41
Q

what are testicular medical factors affecting spermatogenesis?

A

Surgery – orchidectomy, orchidopexy

STI

Mumps orchitis

Testicular trauma or torsion

Radiotherapy or chemotherapy

Genetic – Klinefelters (46XXY), Y-chromosome microdeletion

42
Q

what environmental/lifestyle factors can affect spermatogenesis?

A
  • Smoking – heavily impacts sperm production and functional capacity of the sperm
  • Obesity – both mum and dad
  • Occupational or environmental chemical exposure
43
Q

what are some steps to reduce the impact of factors affecting fertility?

A
  • Improve lifestyle – normal BMI, stop smoking, alcohol in recommended limits, healthy diet, exercise, adjustments to occupational exposure
  • Optimise underlying medical condition
  • Stop medications or switch to alternative pregnancy compatible medications
  • Reduce STI risk and treat promptly if diagnosed
  • Fertility preservation – sperm freezing prior to surgery or cancer treatment