Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Histo > Male Reproductive System > Flashcards

Male Reproductive System Flashcards

(56 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Function of male reproductive systme

A
  • Reproduction
  • Production of androgens for reproduction & development of secondary male characteristics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Testis function

A

Spermatogenesis

Steroidogenesis: production of androgens (testosterone)

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing only <5% of testosterone, the rest is in the testis

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

Structure of testis

A
  • Tunica albuginea: thick, dense irregular connective
  • Mediastinum testis: inward projection of thickened tunica albuginea in posterior surface of the testis
    • Excurrent ducts, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels go through here
  • Septa: connective tissue projected from the capsule separating each testis into lobules
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Where do blood vessels and efferent ductules go through?

A

Mediastinum: connective tissue region

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

Rete testes

A

Maze of interconnecting channels within the mediastinum testis.

Gives rise to straight tubules/tubuli recti, which leads to convoluted seminiferous tubules

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

A single testicular lobule (L) is composed of

A

1-4 highly convoluted seminiferous tubulesspread throughout interstitialconnective tissue stroma

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

Interstitial connective tissue between seminiferous tubules

A

Loose connective tissue containing

  • Fibroblasts - flat nuclei (mouse arrow)
  • Leydig/interstitial cells - lots of cytoplasm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Leydig cells - what is their function?

A

Synthesize & secrete testosterone

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

How do Interstitial/leydig cells appear histologically?

A
  • Forms small clusters
  • Round or polygonal in shape
  • Acidophilic cytoplasm
    • Like all steroid-producign cells, they have a elaborate sER and a lot of lipid droplets
  • Large & round nucleus*
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Function of seminiferous tubule

A

Sperm production

super long and convoluted

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

Wall of the seminiferous tubule

A
  • Lamina/tunica propria outer):
    • Myoid cells
    • Collagen
  • Basement membrane
  • Seminiferous / Complex stratified epithelium
    • Sertoli/supporting cells
    • Spermatogenic cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Myoid cells

A

flat, elongated smooth-muscle-like cells whose contraction moves sperm & fluid ino the excurrent duct system

(flat nucleus above mouse arrow)

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

Describe seminiferous / complex stratified epithelium of the seminiferous tubule

A

One single layer of sertoli cells surround multiple layers of spermatogenic cells

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

Sertoli / Supporting / Sustentacular cells’ functions

A
  • Gives structural organization to the tubules
    • Extends from the basement membrane to the luminal surface of the seminiferous epithelium
      • Doesn’t replicate after puberty
  • Support/nurse maturing sperm cells
  • Phagocytose unneeded cytoplasmic portion of developing sperm and any messed up spermatogenic cells
  • Forms blood-testis barrier by forming tight junctions between Sertoli cells dividing the epithelium into basal and adluminal compartments
  • Exocrine & endocrine secretions - androgen-binding protein, estrogen, inhibin, MIF, growth factors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Spermatogenic cells characteristics

A
  • Replicates & differentiates into mature sperm
  • Organized in poorly dfined layers of progressive development:
    • Spermatogonia (most immature) rests on basal lamina
    • Spermatids (most mature) attached to apical portion of the Sertoli cells, where they border the tubule lumen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

5 types of spermatogenic cells from immature to most mature

A

Spermatogonia (most immature)

Primary spermatocytes

Secondary spermatocytes

Spermatids

Spermatozoa (z last letter of alphabet!)

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

3 phases of spermatogenesis

A

1) Mitosis: spermatogonia self-replicate and differentiate into primary spermatocyte

2) Two rounds of Meiosis:

​​primary spermatocyte

> 2 secondary spermatocytes

> 4 spermatids

3) Spermiogenesis: spermatids transform into spermatozoa

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

The most mature form of sperm that is still within the seminiferous tubule epithelium is ___.

At what point does the thick cytoplasmic bridge connecting them disintegrate?

A

Spermatids

Bridge doesn’t disintegrate until released from epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the function of the cytoplasmic bridge?

A
  • Ensures synchronous development
  • Allows free cytoplasmic communication among cells
  • Allows sharing of gene products among haploid cells
    • –> So they can have the proteins and RNAs encoded by the complete diploid genome
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Spermatogonia appearance

A
  • Large
  • Round nucleus w diff patterns of chromatin
    • Don’t have to recognize, but there are 3 types (Type A dark, type A pale, and type B) because they undergo asymmetric cell division (shown among the 3 in the photo).
  • In contact with the basal lamina
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Primary spermatocyte appearance

A
  • Largest germ cell; above spermatogonia
  • Spherical or ovoid
  • Large, round nucleus w strands of heterochromatin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

These will divide and differentiate into

A

primary spermatocytes

because this is spermatogonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

These will under go ____ to produce ___

Study These Flashcards
A

These are primary spermatocytes - they will undergo first meiosis to produce 2 secondary spermatocytes

Introduces genetic variation (by chromosomal crossover and random inclusion of either parental chromosomes) to increase genetic variability of the gamete.

24
Q

Secondary spermatocytes appearance

Study These Flashcards
A

Seldom seen in histological preparations because they immediately enter and complete teh second meiotic division! Don thave to recognize

25
These will undergo ___ to produce \_\_\_
These are spermatids and they will undergo **spermiogenesis** (structural changes) to become **spermatozoa**
26
Early vs late spermatids
Early: small; round nuclei w condensed chromatin Late: elongated nucleus; tail; on the apical portion of Sertoli cells, bording lumen of tubule
27
Spermiogenesis
transforms spermatids to spermatozoa through 4 overlapping processes: * **Nuclear condensation & elongation** * **Acrosome formation** * **Flagellum formation** * **Cytoplasm reduction** : elimination of cytoplasm by Sertoli cells and release into the lumen of seminiferous tubules * Spermiation: release of spermatozoa to the lumen; determines how much sperm ends up in semen
28
In the release of spermatozoa into the lumen, much of the cytoplasmic portion (residual body)
that cytoplasmic bridge holding them together is phagocytosed by sertoli cells pictured w mouse arrow: free spermatozoa in lumen
29
When do spermatozoa become motile?
They develop the capability to move and fertilize in the **epdidymis** , where they are stored at the distal portion before ejaculation
30
Spermatozoa survival in male vs female reproductive system
spermatozoa live for wks in male excurrent duct system survives 2-3 days in female reproductive tract
31
Endocrine secretions of Sertoli Cells
* **Estradiol** * Aromatase in Sertoli cells ( in neonatal and prepubertal mammals) converts testosterone to estradiol to **regulate spermatogenesis** and to **inhibit testosterone production** by Leydig cells * **Inhibin B** provide negative feedback on gonadotroph's FSH synthesis and release from the adenohypophysis * **Mullerian-inhibiting factor (MIF)** causes regression of embryonic mullerian ducts * Inhibits development of female reproductive tract * **Growth factors (GDNF** & **stem cell factor**): maintain the number of spermatogonia
32
Appearance of **sertoli cells** under light microscope
* **OVOID or TRIANGULAR NUCLEUS** * large & lightly stained * may have 1 or more deep infoldings * **Prominent nucleolus** * Tall, columnar cell
33
Exocrine secretions of the sertoli cells
**Fluid**: facilitates passage of maturing sperm along teh seminiferous tubules to the itnra-testicular ducts **Androgen-binding protein (ABP)**: binds testosterone and makes it less lipophilic & highly concentrated within the luminal fluid of the seminiferous tubules to stimulate sperm development
34
Appearance of **sertoli cells** under electron microscope:
* extensive sER, lipid droplets * Lots of mitochondria * Well-developed rough ER & Golgi * Lateral processes surrounding the adjacent spermatogenic cells * Tight junctions
35
What are teh arrows poitning at
the tight jxns between two sertoli cells
36
\_\_\_\_ divides the epithelium into ___ and ____ compartments. What type of cells are restricted to each compartment?
**Tight jxns between Sertoli cells** divide the epithelium into basal and adluminal compartments. **Basal compartments** = spermatogonia & early primary spermatocytes **Adluminal compartments =** everything else
37
When early spermatocytes pass through the tight jxn to move from the basal to the adluminal compartment, is there a breakdown of the blood-testis barrier?
No - otherwise, you'd see spermatids in the blood ## Footnote What happens is that the sertoli cells form new tight junctions below the newly formed spermatocytes, followed by breakdown of the junction above them
38
**Meiosis** & **spermiogenesis** occur in which compartment
Adluminal
39
Blood-testis barrier
* Physiologic division formed by tight jxns within seminiferous epithelium with respect to ionic, aa, carbs,a nd proteins. * --\> **luminal fluid is diff from blood plasma & testicular lymph** * --\> isolates the genetically different and thus **antigenic haploid germ cells** from the immune system
40
Temperature regulation of the testis to protect spermatogenesis
* **Cremaster reflex**: contraction & relaxation of the cremaster (skeletal) muscle to bring the testes towards or away from the heat of the body * Col temperature causes the **dartos** (smooth) muscle to contract so the scrotum wrinkles to regulate heat loss * Smooth = striations * The **testicular artery is surrounded by the pampiniform venous** plexus (which is cooler blood)
41
What kidn of cells are the top left two Y's pointing at?
Top is pointing at the interstitium --\> Leydig cells Bottom one has that dark nucleolus--\> Sertoli cells
42
Wheres the Sertoli cell here?
Dark nucleolus
43
Recap on seminiferous epithelium
44
Cryptochordism
Undescended testes - testes temp is the same as body temp, which will degenerate most spermatogenic cells (except spermatogonia) --\> only see interstitial structures
45
Why do the veins of the pampiniform plexus have such thick smooth muscle structure?
It has to propel the blood against gravity back up into the abdominal veins from the testes
46
What is this
testicular artery (center) surrounded by pampiniform veins
47
is this cremaster or dartos?
cremaster because it's skeletal muscle (nucleus in periphery, striations)
48
Testis
49
Tunica albuginea
50
spermatogonium
51
primary spermatocyte
52
Sertoli cell
53
Spermatid
54
Spermatozoa
55
myoid
56
leydig

Histo (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions