Male Reproductive System Histology Flashcards by Nicole Cabalo

What are part of the efferent duct system?

Epididymis
Ductus deferens
Ejaculatory duct
Urethra

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What are three accessory glands of the male reproductive system?

Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Bulbourethral glands

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Describe seminiferous tubules

1-4 in each lobule

Walls composed of 3 layers: tunica propria, basal lamina, seminiferous epithelium

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What are the general functions of the male reproductive system?

Production and storage of spermatozoa

Synthesis and secretion of male sex hormones (androgens)

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Describe Sertoli cells

Tall, branched columnar cells that rest on basement membrane
Pale oval nucleus with a prominent nucleolus
Margins poorly defined yet bound tightly (occluding junctions)
Forms a continuous sheath around lumen
Forms blood-testis barrier

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What cells are tall, branched columnar cells that rest on basement membrane, have pale oval nucleus with a prominent nucleolus, have poorly defined margins with occluding junctions, and forms a continuous sheath around the lumen?

Sertoli cells

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What are the functions of the Sertoli cells?

Respond to FSH
Protect developing spermatids
Physical support
Phagocytosis of residual bodies
Secretion of fluid for sperm transport, androgen-binding protein, inhibin (negaitve feedback n GnRH and FSH secretion), anti-Mullerian hormone, and activin (positive feedback on FSH secretion)
Nutritional regulation for isolated developing spermatozoa

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What cells provide physical support, phagocytosis of residual bodies, fluid for sperm transport, ABP, inhibit, AMH, and activin, and nutrient exchange?

Sertoli cells

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Describe the blood-testis barrier

Sexual maturity occurs long after development of immunocompetence
Barrier prevents developing spermatozoa from being recognized as foreign and provoking an immunological response
Continuous belt of occluding junctions joining lateral surfaces of adjacent Sertoli cells
Separates seminiferous tubule into two functional compartments

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Describe Sertolic cell only syndrome (SCOS)

Germinal cell aplasia or Del Castillo Syndrome
Spermatogenic cells absent
Leydig cells - Reinke crstalloids (also seen in Leydig cell tumors)
Permanent and irreversible azoospermia
Congenital or acquired (radiation, chemo, trauma)

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What syndrome is characterized as absence of spermatogenic cells and presence of Reinke crystalloids?

Sertolic cell only syndrome

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What are primary spermatocytes?

Diploid for chromosome number but tetraploid for DNA (46, 4n)

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What are the four major components of the male reproductive system?

Testis (production and synthesis)
Efferent duct system (epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra)
3 accessory glands (seminal vesicle, prostate, bulbourethral glands)
Penis

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What male germ cell is diploid for chromosome number but tetraploid for DNA (46, 4n)?

Primary spermatocytes

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Describe prophase I for males

Takes about 22 days
Most primary spermatocytes are seen
Largest spermatogenic cells
Characterized by chromosomes in various stages of coiling

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Describe secondary spermatocytes

After first meiotic division of primary spermatocytes
Closer to lumen
Smaller in size (haploid for chromosome number but diploid for DNA)

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what male germ cells are closer to lumen and are haploid for chromosome number but diploid for DNA?

Secondary spermatocytes

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Describe spermatids

Products of second meiotic division
Haploid for both chromosome number (23) and DNA
Small cells with heterochromatic nuclei
Closer to lumen

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What male germ cells are haploid for both chromosome number and DNA, are small cells with heterochromatic nuclei, and located closer to lume?

Spermatids

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Describe spermatozoa

Located in lumen of seminiferous tubules
Final products of spermiogenesis
Dark, flattened nuclei
Have long flagella
Haploid for both chromosome number and DNA (23, n)
Also called late spermatids

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What male germ cells are haploid for both chromosome number and DNA, have long flagella and dark, flattened nuclei, are located in lumen of seminiferous tubules, and are the final products of spermiogenesis?

Spermatozoa

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What are the four major events in spermiogenesis?

Development of flagellum
Development of acrosome
Development of manchette
Nuclear condensation (protamines)

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Describe the cap phase

Specialized lysosome that contains a variety of hydrolytic enzymes and aid in penetrating ovum during fertilization
Flagellum emerges from axonemal complex of one centriole to form tail
Other centriole forms fibrous rings that surround axoneme
Band of microtubules surrounds nucleus (manchette)

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What phase is characterized by specialized lysosome that contains a variety of hydrolytic enzymes that aid in penetrating the ovum during fertilization, flagellum emerging from axonemal complex of one centriole to form tail, other centriole forming fibrous rings that surround axoneme, and band of microtubules surrounding nucleus?

Cap phase

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Where does the flagellum emerge?

From axonemal complex of one centriole to form tail

One centriole forms the flagellum. What does the other centriole form?

Fibrous rings that surround axoneme

What is manchette?

Band of microtubules that surround nucleus

What is the band of microtubules that surround the nucleus?

Manchette

What happens during the acrosomal phase?

Nucleus flattens and elongates Mitochondria migrate in Residual body phagocytozed Sperm released into lumen

What phase is happening when the nucleus flattens and elongates, mitochondria migrate in, residual body phagocytozed, and sperm released into lumen?

Acrosomal phase

Describe the maturation phase

Nuclear shaping and condensation | Somatic histones replaced by sperm-specific histones (protamines)

What phase is characterized by nuclear shaping and condensation and somatic histones replaced by sperm-specific histones (protamines)?

Maturation phase

What is characteristic of Kartagener's syndrome (primary ciliary dyskinesia or immotile cilia syndrome)?

Lack of of dynein arms in the axoneme

Lack of dynein arms in the axoneme are characteristic of what syndrome?

Primary ciliary dyskinesia or immotile cilia syndrome or Kartagener's syndrome

What is oligospermia?

What is hypospermia?

Decrease in volume | Can be caused by deletion of azoospermia (AZF) region on Y chromosome

What is asthenospermia?

Low motility | Graded fro mA (forward motility in straight line) to D (immotile)

Describe Leydig (interstitial) cells

Occur in clusters between tubules | Secrete testosterone on stimulation by LH

What cells occur in clusters between tubules and secrete testosterone on stimulation by LH?

Leydig (interstitial) cells

Describe clinical consideration of torsion of the testis

Cut off arterial supply and venous drainage | Untreated leads to hemorrhagic infarction and necrosis of testes

What is varicocele?

Dilation of veins in spermatic cord | Decrease in sperm production

Describe the genital duct system

Sperm maturation pathway Continuous with seminiferous tubules Extends from straight tubules/rete testis to urethra Intratesticular and excretory portions Important in maturation, storage, and transport of spermatozoa Testosterone necessary for normal function

Describe the histology of straight tubules/rete testis

Low cuboidal cells Fibroblasts Myoid cells for peristalsis

What part in the genital duct system is characterized by low cuboidal cells, fibroblasts, and myoid cells for peristalsis?

Straight tubules/rete testis

Describe the histology of efferent ductules

Mixed epithelium of tall ciliated columnar (propel sperm) and low cuboidal/microvilli principal cells (absorb testicular fluid)

What part of the genital duct system is characterized by mixed epithelium of tall ciliated columnar (propel sperm) and low cuboidal/microvilli principal cells (absorb testicular fluid)?

Efferent ductules

Describe the histology of the epididymis

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and principal cells/stereocilia Sheath of circular smooth muscle Peristaltic contractions propel sperm towards ductus deferens

What part of the genital duct system is characterzed by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and principal cells/stereocilia and a sheath of circular smooth muscle?

Epididymis

What are the three main functions of the epididymis?

Sperm transport to tail for storage Storage until ejaculation Maturation: acquire forward motility pattern and acquire specific surface proteins

What part of the genital duct system is for sperm transport to tail for storage, storage until ejaculation, and maturation by acquiring forward motility pattern and acquiring specific surface proteins?

Epididymis

Describe the ductus (vas) deferens

From epididymis to prostate gland Surrounded by 3 layers of smooth muscle Contractions move sperm Found in spermatic cord

What is found in the spermatic cord, is surrounded by smooth muscle, and causes contractions to move sperm?

Ductus (vas) deferens

What is ductus (vas) deferens derived from?

Mesonephric duct (from mesonephros or 2nd kidney)

Where are seminal vesicles?

Separated from rectum by rectovesical pouch (space between rectum and bladder) and rectovesical septum Enlarged vesicles may be palpated through rectum

What do seminal vesicles do?

Secrete alkaline (neutralize acid in female), viscous fluid that is rich in fructose, which is used for ATP production by sperm Fluid also contains citrate, prostaglandins and several proteins necessary for coagulation of seen Secretions make up 60-70% of human ejaculate

What secretes alkaline, viscous fluid that is rich in fructose and contains citrate, prostaglandins, and other proteins?

Seminal vesicles

Describe prostate secretions

Produces 30% of volume of seminal fluid Provides nutrients for sperm Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) Proteases such as PSA (chymotrypsin-like) maintain semen fluidity (fibronolysin) by acting as an anticoagulant Antibiotic function of some secretions from central zone Formation, synthesis, and release regulated by DHT

Describe muscular pump around prostate

Smooth muscle surrounding glands forces ejection of prostatic fluid to mix into seminal fluid during ejaculation

How can prostate be definitely recognized?

Corpora amylacea

What is corpora amylacea

Recognizable prostatic component Lamaellated bodies that form by precipitation of secretory material around cell fragments May become calcified

What are lamaellated bodies that form by precipitation of secretory material around cell fragments and may become calcified?

Corpora amylacea

What are the 4 zones of the prostate?

Peripheral, central, transitional, periurethral

In what zone of the prostate does benign prostatic hyperplasia occur?

Central zone

In what zone does prostate cancer occur?

Peripheral

Describe benign prostatic hyperplasia

Nonmalignant enlargement of prostate gland Most common benign neoplasm among men Its incidence increases steadily with age

What BPH/prostate adenocarcinoma?

Urethral obstruction leads to hypertrophy of detrusor to compensate for increased resistance Detrusor will eventually decompensate, bladder tone decreases, and bladder will dilate. Diverticula may form Vesicoureteral reflux, ureteral dilation, increased UTI

Describe bulbourethral glands

Superior to perineal membrane, embedded within sphincter urethra Open into spongy urethra Mucus-like secretions lubricate urethra

What is superior to perineal membrane, embedded within sphincter urethrae, open into sphincter urethrae, and produces mucus-like secretions that lubricate urethra?

Bulbourethral glands

Male Reproductive System Histology Flashcards

(68 cards)