Male reproductive histology

Question 1

Function of testis

Answer 1

• spermatogenesis (production of sperm)

- steroidogenesis (production of androgens)

Question 2

What is testosterone used for

Answer 2

• male development
• needed for spermatogenesis
• embryonic development in male fetus

Question 3

Seminiferous tubules:

- epithelia

Answer 3

sertoli cells

Question 4

Seminiferous tubules:

- germ cells

Answer 4

Spermatogenic cells

Question 5

Seminiferous tubules:

- lamina propria

Answer 5

• myoid cells (3-5 layers)
• lacks fibroblasts
• collagen fibres

Question 6

Define myoid cells

Answer 6

• 3-5 layers
• SM cells
• produce collagen
• peristalsis to move spermatoza + fluid through tubules to ducts of epididymis

Question 7

Seminiferous tubules:

- Sertoli cells

Answer 7

• do no divide
• columnar epithelia
• extensive cytoplasmic processes
• blood-testis barrier and support

Question 8

What are the different spermatogenic cells:

Answer 8

• spermatogonia (2n)
• spermocytes
• spermatids (1n)

Question 9

Spermatogonia

Answer 9

• Immature, rest on basal lamina

- divide by mitosis

Question 10

Spermatocytes

Answer 10

patchy nucleus

- undergoes 2 meiotic divisions to reduce chromosome number to produce haploaid cells

Question 11

Spermatid

Answer 11

• Dark homogenous stained nucleus
• attached to sertoli cell apical surface
• differentiated into mature sperm

Question 12

What is the function of the blood-testis barrier

Answer 12

Isolates the genetically different antigenic haploid cells from the male immune system.

Some might recognise the sperm as foreign and thus have an immune response

Thus why some plasma proteins and circulating plasma will nto be allowed to come inside.

Question 13

Leydig cells produces what?

Answer 13

• testosterone

- insulin 3

Question 14

Histological features of leydig cells

Answer 14

• large, polygonal, pink staining
• lipid droplets (contains testosterone
• active through life

Question 15

Epididymis function

Answer 15

maturation, motility and storage of sperm

Question 16

Histological features

Answer 16

• 4-6m long tubules coiled to 7.5cm in length
• ducts (psuedostratified columnar epithelium with stereocillia)
• vessels
• CT coverings
• SM (outer)
• spermatids inside

Question 17

spermiogenesis - what is attached to what

Answer 17

spermatid is attached to sertoli cell via junctions

Question 18

Acrosome -

Answer 18

is a membrane bound vesicle which accumulates the lysosomal enzymes (made in golgi)

Question 19

What wraps around the axoneme (Centriole initiates assembly of tail 9+2 microtubule doublet)

Answer 19

mitochondria wraps around the proximal part of the axoneme

Question 20

what forms the flagella

Answer 20

cytoplasm extends

Question 21

what do sertoli cells do during spermiogenesis

Answer 21

• phagocytose excessive cytoplasm

Question 22

Function of prostate gland

Answer 22

secrete alkaline fluid

- liquefies sperm and dissolves cervical mucous

Question 23

histological features of prostate glands

Answer 23

tubuloalveolar glands 
fibromuscular CT septa 
- wide lumen 
- SM / collagen / fibroblasts 
- columnar epithelium with basal nucleus

Question 24

Tunica albuginea of penis

Answer 24

• dense fibroelastic layer
• binds all 3 corpora together
• forms a capsule around each on

Question 25

Corpus cavernosum of penis

Answer 25

• numerous wide, irregular shaped vessels lined with epithelium
• surrounded by SM which forms trabelulae within the tunica albuginea
• many nerve endings and lymphatic tissue
• thick t. albuginea layer

Question 26

Corpus spongiosum of penis

Answer 26

• penile urethra runs thru
• fewer wide, irregular vessels than c.cavernosum
• thinner t.Albuginea surrounding, thus less turgid and allow semen to come through
• many nerve endings and lymphatics