Male repro

• Testis

  Organ that produces sperm
• Myoid Cell


  • Contracts to aid release of spermatozoa

  
• Leydig Cell


  • Secretes testosterone
• Sertoli Cell


  • Provides mechanical and structural support to spermatogenic cells

  
• Spermatogenesis


  Process of sperm production

  
• Flow of Sperm


  Seminiferous tubules → Tubuli recti/Straight tubules → Rete testis → Efferent ductules → Epididymis → Vas deferens
• Efferent Ductules


  10-20 ducts extending from the rete testis that carry spermatozoa and liquid from rete testis to epididymis
• Efferent Ductules Epithelium


  • Cuboidal Epithelium ("Scalloped Appearance)
• Efferent Ductules Special Features

  • Presence of Both Nonciliated and Ciliated Cells
  • Cilia function to create fluid flow that sweeps spermatozoa toward epididymis

  
• Epididymis


  Location of sperm maturation

  
• Epididymis Epithelium


  • Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
• Epididymis Special Features


  • Presence of Stereocilia
  • Fluid in the epididymis contains decapacitation factors
• Principal Cells


  • Secrete glycolipids and glycoproteins
• Stereocilia


  Sweeps the sperms down the spermatic cord; Absorption of the excess cytoplasm from the sperm

  
• Vas Deferens


  • A straight tube with a thick, muscular wall, continues toward the prostatic urethra and empties into it
• Vas Deferens Epithelium


  • Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
• Vas Deferens Special Features

  • Presence of Stereocilia
  • Middle Circular Smooth Muscle
  • Outer Longitudinal Smooth Muscle
  • Inner Longitudinal Smooth Muscle
• Penis


  Comprised of three cylinder of spongy erectile tissues surrounded by a common CT sheath and covered by hairless thin skin
• Penis Function


  • Reproductive Organ
  • Excretory Organ
• Penis Special Features


  • Presence of Erectile Tissue
• Corpus Spongiosum


  Single, smaller ventral cylinder surrounded by a thinner CT sheath
• Corpus Cavernosa


  Two dorsal erectile cylinders penetrated by a deep artery
• Urethra


  Long and consists of 3 parts: Prostatic, Membranous, Cavernous Urethra
• Urethra Epithelium


  • Stratified Columnar Epithelium
• Urethra Special Features


  • Glands of Littre
  • Erectile Tissue and Cavernous Spaces
• Erectile Tissue


  Allows penile erection in males when blood enters the cavernous spaces
• Glands of Littre


  Secrete mucus
• Seminal Vesicle


  Consists of 2 highly turtuous tubes
• Seminal Vesicle Function


  Produce yellowish secretion containing spermatozoa-activating subtances: Fructose, Citrate, Inositol, and Prostaglandins
• Seminal Vesicle Epithelium


  • Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium
• Seminal Vesicle Special Features

  • Highly folded mucosa
  • Mucosal crypts
  • Primary mucosal fold
  • Secondary mucosal fold
• Seminal vesicles are not reservoirs for spermatozoa
• Seminal vesicles produce yellowish secretion containing spermatozoa-activating substances: fructose, citrate, inositol, prostaglandins
• Carbohydrates in the seminal fluid provide energy for sperm motility, with fructose being the most abundant
• The height of the epithelial cells and activity of the secretory process in the seminal vesicles is testosterone-dependent
• Prostate Gland


  Secrete prostate fluid, one of the components of semen; muscles of the prostate gland also help propel this seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation
• Diseases of Prostate


  • Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
  • Malignant Prostatic Tumor
  • Chronic Prostatitis
  • Nodular Hyperplasia
  • Prostate Carcinoma
• Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy


  • Present in 50% of males 50 years old to 95% of men more than 70 years old
  • Leads to destruction of urethra
  • Symptoms in only 5-10%
• Malignant Prostatic Tumor


  • 2nd most common form of cancer
  • 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths
  • Prostate-specific antigen in blood is a useful diagnostic tool