Histology of the Male Reproductive

System

NORMAN V.VALERA, M.D.

Male Reproductive System

Composed of:
Testes
Genital ducts
Accessory glands
Penis
Primary Functions:
Production of Sperm
Synthesis of
Androgens TESTOSTERONE

TESTIS
A. Seminiferous
Tubules
B. Tubuli Recti
C. Rete Testis
D. Ductuli Efferentis
E. Ductus
Epididymis
F. Ductus Deferens
(vas deferens)

TESTIS
Paired ovoid organs;
lie within the
scrotum
Covered by a thick,
dense connective
tissue capsule called
as Tunica albuginea
thick DCT
Tunica vasculosa
inner part, loose
connective tissue

 Tunica albuginea
Tunica vasculosa
Seminiferous tubules

 Each lobule of testis

consists of 1 to 4
seminiferous
tubules and a
connective tissue
stroma Interstitial
tissue containing
Leydig cells

 Seminiferous
tubules
Interstitial tissue
with Leydig cells or
Interstitial cells
large, polygonal,
eosinophilic cells
producing androgens
(TESTOSTERONE)

Seminiferous epithelium
Stratified epithelium
2 basic cell types:
A. Spermatogenic
cells
B. Sertoli cells or
Sustentacular cells

 Spermatogenic
cells
Spermatogonia
Primary
spermatocyte
Secondary
spermatocyte
Spermatid
Sperm cell

 Sertoli cells columnar cells

SERTOLI CELLS
Supporting cells
Sertoli cell to Sertoli
cell junctional
complex
- Zonula adherens
- Site of blood-testis barrier
- Divides the seminiferous
tubules into basal and
luminal compartments
- Provides nourishment to
the developing
spermatogenic cells

Functions of the Sertoli Cells

1. Provide mechanical support and
protection to the developing germ cells.
2. Provide nutrition for the developing
germ cells.
3. Play an active role in the release of
spermatozoa.
4. Phagocyotis of cellular fragments.
5. Formation of blood-testis permeability
barrier.

Spermatogenic or Germ Cells

The spermatogenic cells, from
the bulk of the epithelium, give
rise to mature spermatozoa by
spermatogenesis.
Spermatogenesis refers to the
entire sequence of events
wherein spermatogonia are
transformed into spermatozoa.

Spermatogenesis
Process by which
spermatogonia develop
into sperm ( 74 days)
SPERMATOGONIAL
PHASE
stem cells divide to replace
themselves and provide a
population of committed
spermatogonia

SPERMATOCYTE
PHASE

Primary spermatocytes undergo

meiosis to reduce both the
chromosome and amount of
DNA

SPERMATID PHASE
(SPERMIOGENESIS)

Divisions of Spermatogenesis
1. SPERMATOCYTOGENESIS
Mitosis of spermatogonia to
become spermatocytes
2. MEIOSIS
Maturation division of
spermatocytes which reduce the
chromosome number by half and
produces spermatids
3. SPERMIOGENESIS
Spermatids are transformed directly
into spermatozoa

Spermatogenic cells
Spermatogonia
stem cell, diploid
chromosomes (46
chromosomes or 44 xy)

Primary spermatocyte
(44 xy)

Secondary
spermatocyte
(22 x / 22 y or haploid)

Spermatid (22 x / 22 y)
Sperm cell (22 x / 22 y)

Spermatogonia
Located beneath the basement
membrane of the seminiferous
tubules.
Contain a round, dark staining
nucleus
There are two types:
1.Type A spermatogonia
2.Type B spermatogonia

Type A Spermatogonia

OVAL nucleus
fine chromatin granules
Cytoplasm: homogenous, pale staining
Nucleolus: close to the nuclear membrane.
undergo a series of mitotic divisions that
give rise to other Type A spermatogonia,
while other differentiate into Type B
spermatogonia

Type B Spermatogonia
SPHERICAL nucleus
chromatin masses which are
heavily stained, large and of
varying sizes
single nucleolus: centrally located
Cytoplasm: dark staining
These cells give rise to primary
spermatocytes

Primary Spermatocytes
The biggest of the spermatogenic
cells with plenty of mitotic figures in
their nuclei.
These are seen in various stages of
PROPHASE because the stage of
mitotic prophase is extremely
prolonged.
These undergo the first meiotic
division and become transformed into
secondary spermatocytes

Secondary Spermatocytes
spherical or polygonal in shape with a
small, dark staining nucleus with
finely granular chromatin
These cells undergo spermiogenesis
and become transformed into mature
germ cells.
Only few are seen in section because
they transform rapidly into
spermatozoa.

Spermatozoa
Mature sperm cells, actively motile, swim
freely.
Consists of a head, middle piece, body
and a tail.
They are quiescent in the seminiferous
tubules and ducts of the testis and
become active by the secretion of the
accessory glands.
Production begins at puberty, continues
throughout life but diminishes with age.

Spermiogenesis

Factors affecting Spermatogenesis:

Dietary deficiencies
Infections
Elevated testicular temperature
Steroid hormones
Toxic agents
Radiation

Interstitial Cells of Leydig

These are clusters of
epitheloid cells which
are largely cells with
pale staining
spherical to oval
nuclei.
They are usually
acidophilic and found
scattered in the stroma
between the
seminiferous tubules.
These cells secrete
testosterone.

Hormonal regulation of Male

Reproductive System
Anterior Pituitary
Gland or
Adenohypophysis
(APG)
FSH stimulates
spermatogenesis
LH stimulates
Leydig cells to
secrete testosterone

TUBULI RECTI and RETE TESTIS

Lined by simple cuboidal epithelium
Surrounded by highly vascular
collagenous supporting tissue
containing myoid cells
MYOID CELLS
mix the spermatozoa and propel
towards epididymis.

DUCTULI EFFERENTIS
The simple epithelium
is lined by alternating
groups of tall columnar
ciliated cells and low
columnar non-ciliated
cells.
Thus, the lumen is
irregular and described
as having a festooned
appearance.
The cilia help in
transporting
spermatozoa to the
epididymis.

DUCTULI EPIDIDYMIS
Crescent-shaped
structure
Divided into: Head
Body
Tail
Site of STORAGE
and MATURATION of
sperm cell

DUCTULI EPIDIDYMIS
Highly convoluted tubule
storage organ of the spermatozoa.
sperm cells acquire the properties of
motility and fertilizability.
Scattered among the columnar cells at
various levels in the epithelium are small
cells with pale staining cytoplasm and
dark heterochromic nuclei. These are
termed halo cells (intraepithelial
lymphocytes)

 Lined by
Pseudostratified
epithelium
columnar with
stereocilia
Principal cells
Basal cells

spermatozoa
undergo additional
physiological
maturation
(capacitation) and
gain fertilizing
capacity and
motility

DUCTULI DEFERENS
Also known as the vas deferens.
The mucosa is lined by pseudostratified
columnar epithelium. Together with the lamina
propria, it is thrown into several longitudinal
folds so that the lumen is narrow and irregular
in outline.
The muscularis layer is the thickest layer and
gives the vas deferens a firm consistency. It is
made up of inner longitudinal, middle circular and
outer longitudinal layers. The muscles propel
the seminal fluid during ejaculation.
IL-MC-OL

DUCTULI DEFERENS
The adventitia is loose fibroelastic CT and
blends with the tissues of the spermatic cord.
The SPERMATIC CORD consists of the vas
deferens and its accompanying artery,
pampiniform plexus of veins and nerves. The
cord is enclosed by the cremaster muscle.
The AMPULLA of the vas deferens has a wider
lumen and the mucosa is much more folded.

DUCTULI DEFERENS
nDirect continuation of the tail of the
epididymis
nMucosa -Pseudostratified columnar
epithelium
nTunica muscularis
inner longitudinal (IL)
middle circular (MC)
outer longitudinal (OL)
nTunica adventitia

Seminal Vesicle
Paired,elongated and
highly folded tubular
glands
Pseudostratified columnar
epithelium
Mucosa is thrown into
numerous primary,
secondary and tertiary
folds that increase the
secretory surface area
Secretes a whitish yellow,
viscous material containing
FRUCTOSE and
PROSTAGLANDINS

Prostate Gland
Largest accessory gland
Consists of 30 to 50
tubuloalveolar glands
Pseudostratified
columnar epithelium
Secretes PROSTATIC
ACID PHOSPHATASE
and CITRIC ACID
Calcified secretions
Prostatic concretions or
CORPORA AMYLACEA

Semen
Contains fluids and sperm from the testis
and secretory products from the
epididymis, vas deferens, prostate,
seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands
Alkaline to neutralize the acid
environment of vagina
Average ejaculate has a volume of about 3
ml and normally contains up to 100
million sperm / ml

PENIS

Penis

The penis is formed primarily of three cylindrical masses

of erectile tissue. Note the paired corpora cavernosa
and the ventrally placed corpus spongiosum containing
the urethra. A dense fibroelastic tissue , the tunica
albuginea , binds the three together and forms a
capsule around each.