Male Reproductive System Histo Notes

Testis
Function
o Production and secretion of testosterone
o Sperm production
Development
o Three levels on which the sex of the developing embryo is determined
Genetic sex
Determined at the time of fertilization
Gonadal sex
Determined by activation of SRY gene on Y chromosome
Hormonal sex
Determined by hormones secreted by developing gonad
o Testes develop on the posterior wall of the abdomen
o Testes later descend into the scrotum through the inguinal canal
Kryptorchid testis failure of testes to descend into scrotum
during development
General Organization
o Tunica Vaginalis
Dense connective tissue layer, extension of peritoneum
Covers the anterolateral surface
o Tunica Albuginea
Tough outer connective tissue capsule
o Mediastinum Testes
Posterior portion of testes
Results from thickening of the albuginea
Site where maturing sperm leave the testes via the rete testis
Seminiferous Tubules
o General structures
Tunica Propria
Lamina propria surrounding the seminiferous tubules
Myoid Cells
Synthesize collagen
Contract to help move sperm through the tubules
Seminiferous Epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium
Contains spermatogenic cells and sertoli cells
o Spermatogenic Cells
Type A Spermatogonia
Rest on basal lamina
Type A dark stem cells
Type A pale committed to becoming sperm
Type B Spermatogonia
Rest on basal lamina
Formed from Type A pale cells

Connected via cytoplasmic bridges

Primary Spermatocytes
Result from mitotic division of Type B spermatogonia
Secondary Spermatocytes
Result from first meiotic division of primary spermatocytes
Spermatids
Formed following meiosis II
Spermatozoa
Formed following spermiogenesis
o Sertoli Cells
Structure
Long cytoplasmic processes extending between
spermatogenic cells
Contains inclusion bodies of charcot-bottcher
Tripartite nucleolar complex
Functions
Blood-Testis Barrier
o Formed from unique tight junctions sertoli-sertoli
junctions
o Separates sperm from immune system
Hormones
o Releases inhibin and ABP
o Respond to FSH and Testosterone
Support
o Support and nourish spermatocytes
Phagocytic for residual bodies
Do NOT replicate after puberty
Tunica Propria
o General
Lamina propria surrounding the seminiferous tubules
Thickens with age
o Myoid Cells
Contain actin filaments
Rhythmic contraction of the myoid cells moves sperm through
the tubules
Synthesize collagen
o Leydig Cells
Structure
Contain lipid droplets and Reinke crystals
Location
Tunica propria
Functions
Secrete testosterone in response to LH
o T produced during early fetal life, but are inactive
until puberty
Do NOT replicate

Hormonal Control
o GnRH stimulates release of LH, FSH, ACTH, and prolactin
LH stimulates Leydig cells to differentiate and secrete
testosterone
FSH and testosterone stimulates Sertoli cells
spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis
o Spermatogonial Phase Mitosis
Type A Dark mitosis Type A Pale mitosis Type B
mitosis primary spermatocytes
o Spermatocyte Phase Meiosis
Meiosis I
Primary spermatocyte forms two secondary
spermatocytes
Meiosis II
Secondary spermatocytes form two spermatids containing
haploid DNA
o Spermiogenesis
Golgi Phase
Hydrolytic enzymes are formed in the rER, modified in the
golgi apparatus, and packaged as small membrane-bound
pre-acrosomal vesicles
Steps
1. Formation of pro-acrosomal granules in golgi
complex
2. Coalesce into the acrosomal vesicle near the
nuclear membrane
3. Migration of centrioles from nucleus to posterior
pole
4. Initiation of the axonemal complex in the sperm tail
Cap Phase
Acrosomal vesicle condenses and covers the anterior
portion of the nucleus acrosomoal cap
Acrosome Phase
Spermatid orients itself into position with the head
embedded into the sertoli cell cytoplasm
Characterized by nuclear condensation, cell elongation,
and mitochondrial rearrangement
Steps
1. Spermatid reorients with its head pointed down into
the sertoli cell
2. Elongation and condensation of the nucleus
3. Lengthening of the flagellum
4. Formation of manchette cytoplasmic MTs
5. Formation of outer dense fibers

6. Mitochondria form helically wrapped sheath around

neck region
7. Appearance of the fibrous sheath
Maturation Phase
Residual body excess cytoplasm is pinched off and
phagocytized by Sertoli cells
Disappearance of cytoplasmic bridges
Release of spermatids from sertoli cells
Structure of Mature Sperm
o Head
Nucleus and acrosomal cap
o Neck
Centriole, excess nuclear envelope, striated columns
o Tail
Middle Piece
9 outer doublets, central doublet of MTs, 9 outer dense
fibers, mitochondrial sheath
Principle Piece
Outer dense fibers gradually decrease in number
Surrounded by fibrous sheath
Tail
MTs, no dense fibers
Newly Released Sperm
o Immotile at first
Acquire motility in the duct of the epididymis
Acquire the ability to fertilize the ovum after becoming
capacitated in the female genital tract

Ducts
Intratesticular Ducts
o Straight Tubules
Location
Immediately after the seminiferous tubule
Epithelial lining
At junction with seminiferous tubules sertoli cells ONLY
Simple cuboidal near rete testis
Function
Transport of sperm
o Rete Testis
Location
Interconnecting tubules within the CIT of the mediastinum
Epithelial lining
Simple cuboidal
Function
Transport of sperm
Excretory Ducts
o Efferent Ductules

Location
Rete testis connects to ~20 efferent ductules
Epithelial Lining
Pseudostratified columnar sawtooth appearance
Tall ciliated columnar cells for moving sperm
Low columnar cells for fluid absorption
Basal cells
Muscle Layer
First appearance of a layer of smooth muscle
Function
Transport of sperm via cilia movement and muscle
contraction
Absorption of fluid secreted by seminiferous tubules

Ductus Epididymis
Location
efferent Ductules coalesce to form a single ductus
epididymis
Structure
Divisions
Head, body, tail
Tail = storage of sperm
Epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar with stereocilia
Muscle Layer
Tail
3 layers inner and outer longitudinal,
middle circular
Sperm is ejected during ejaculation by the
muscle of the tail
Head and Neck
Move sperm via peristaltic contraction
Functions
Sperm storage tail
Fluid absorption and phagocytosis of remaining residual
bodies and damaged sperm
Secretion
Further development of sperm
Addition of surface glycosides to inhibit sperm
binding to egg
Ejection of sperm during ejaculation
Vas Deferens
Structure
Epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar with microvilli
Muscle Layer

3 inner and outer longitudinal, middle circular

Ampulla
Enlargement of distal end where it is joined by the
duct of the seminal vesicle
Functions
Secretory, transport
Ejaculatory Ducts
Location
Continuation of vas deferens through the prostate gland
Empties into prostatic urethra
Structure
Epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar with microvilli
Muscle Layer
No real muscle layer
Fibromuscular tissue of prostate
Functions
Secretory, transport
Urethra
Prostatic Urethra
Within the prostate
Lined with transitional epithelium
Membranous Urethra
Lined with pseudostratified epithelium
Surrounded by a skeletal muscle external sphincter
Penile Urethra
Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium
except at tip stratified squamous
Surrounded by corpus spongiosum

Accessory Sex Glands

Seminal Vesicles
o Structure
One primary lumen
Numerous mucosal folds
Epithelium
pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Muscle layer
Inner circular and outer longitudinal
Contracts during emission, adding stored secretions to
seminal fluid
o Function
Produces and secretes 60% of the volume of semen
Secretion

Contains fructose, simple sugars, amino acids, and

prostaglandins
Requires testosterone

Prostate Gland
o Structure
30-50 tubuloalveolar glands
Epithelium
pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Glands
Mucosal layer empty directly into the urethra
Submucosal layer empty into prostatic sinus, then into
urethra
Peripheral layer empty into prostatic tissues
Main prostatic glands
Prostatic Concretions
Precipitated secretory material that may be calcified
Found in alveoli, particularly in older men
Capsule
CT and smooth muscle contracts during emission
o Function
Produces 30% of semen volume
Secretion
Contains citric acid, cholesterol, acid phosphatase, and
electrolytes
o BPH and Prostate Cancer
BPH normally occurs in older men in the mucosal and
submucosal glands
Malignancies occur in the epithelium of the peripheral layer
Bulbourethral Glands (Cowpers glands)
o Structure
Mucus secretory glands
Epithelium
Simple columnar
Surrounded by intermixed smooth and skeletal muscle
o Function
Secretes pre-seminal fluid that lubricates the penile urethra prior
to ejaculation
Glands of Littre
o Location
Predominately around the penile urethra
o Function
Mucus secretion protects epithelium from urine

Penis
Structure
o Erectile Tissue

3 cavernous bodies surrounded by a loose elastic connective

tissue with an outer covering of skin
skin extends over the glans penis unless removed by
circumcision
A thick, fibrous sheath called the tunica albuginea surrounds
each cavernous body
The bodies include
Corpora cavernosa
Two dorsal erectile tissues of the penis
Corpus spongiosum
Ventral erectile tissue
Surrounds urethra

Erection
o PNS impulses cause penile arteries to dilate more blood enters
cavernous spaces cavernous body distends compressing veins
engorgement results in erection
Arterial dilation is also mediated by Nitric Oxide produced by
endothelial cells
Viagra enhances the effects of NO resulting in
vasodilation via PDE5 inhibition
Emission
o SNS stimulation impulses movement of sperm from tail of
epididymis and contraction of vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate
gland
Ejaculation
o Results from a contraction of skeletal muscle surrounding corpora
cavernosa and spongiosum ejection
Semen
o Contents
Spermatozoa motile, but not capacitated
Seminal fluid from epididymis, ductus deferens, seminal
vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
Contains fructose and citrate
o Volume
~3.5mL