SUBJECT: ANATOMY

TOPIC: MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (HISTOLOGY)

LECTURER: DR. EDUARDO GONZALES

DATE: December 9, 2010

REPRODUCTION/PROCREATION: The most important of the

biological processes that living things undertake because it
ensured preservation of species.
‐ Requires the gametes (germ cells) of the male and
the female to form a zygote (fertilized ovum).
SPERM CELL (spermatozoon): male gamete
EGG CELL (ovum): female gamete
GAMETES: The only unique cells in that they are haploid
(other cells are diploid).

HAPLOID:
possess only 23
chromosomes
DIPLOID:
contain 46
chromosomes

FERTILIZATION: A process wherein a sperm cell and an
ovum unite. The resulting cell in the process (zygote) is
DIPLOID because it inherits all the chromosomes in both
gametes.
EMBRYO: The developing human individual from the time of
implantation to the end of the 8th week after fertilization.
FETUS: The developing human individual from the end of
the 8th week after fertilization until birth.
Sperm cell (23n) + Ovum (23n) Zygote (46n)
(fertilization)
(mitosis)
Fetus Embryo
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
o Responsible for gametogenesis
 Spermatogenesis: production of male gametes
(spermatozoon or sperm cell)
 Oogenesis: production of female gametes (ovum
or egg cell)
o Also produce the hormones that account for the
anatomic and physiological differences between the
sexes
o Male reproductive system: provides for a means for
the male gametes to be deposited into the female
genital tract
o Female reproductive system: provides the appropriate
milieu for a successful pregnancy
FIRST COMPONENT OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM -
TESTES
TESTES: They are organs that produce the male gametes
(spermatozoa or sperm cells) and the male hormone
(testosterone).
SCROTUM: A sac under the penis that is made up of skin
and subcutaneous tissue. It encloses the testes.
TUNICA ALBUGINEA: A tough fibrous capsule of the testis
that is made up dense irregular connective tissue.
MEDIASTINUM TESTIS: Thickened portion at the posterior
surface of Tunica Albuginea.
‐ It is where blood and lymphatic vessels enter and/or
exit, and the ductuli efferentes (segments of the
testicular duct system) leave, the testis.
‐ Where the tunica albuginea sends connective tissue
septa called septulae testis into the substance of the
testis that divides the organ, although incompletely,
into lobules (lobuli testis).
LOBULI TESTIS: About 250/testis. Each contains 1-4
seminiferous tubules.
SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES: highly-coiled tubes that occupies
the greater part of each testicular lobule. Also, it is where
the male gametes, spermatozoa or sperm cells, are
produced by a process called spermatogenesis.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

o components:
1. testes
2. duct system of each testis
3. copulatory organ (penis)
4. accessory glands.

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PRIMORDIAL GERM CELLS: SPERMATOGENESIS: The process of producing
o The earliest recognizable stem cells of the male and spermatozoa from spermatogonia. It starts at puberty and
female gametes. continues until old age. Each testis produces 94.6 X 106
o They arise from the endoderm of the yolk sac spermatozoa/day. It has 3 stages:
(between 2nd – 8th weeks of intrauterine life.)
o 4th week of intrauterine life – they begin to migrate STAGE OF FROM GIVE RISE TO
to the developing gonads, undergoing mitosis along SPERMATOGENESIS
the way. 1. Spermatocytogenesis Spermatogonia Spermatocytes
o End of 5th week – they start to reach the developing 2. Meiosis 1° 2°
gonads: a. Meiosis 1 Spermatocytes Spermatocytes
 In Ovaries: they differentiate into oogonia (diploid)
(precursor cells of ova). b. Meiosis 2 2° Spermatids
 In Testes: they differentiate into spermatogonia Spermatocytes (haploid)
(precursor cells of spermatozoa). 3. Spermiogenesis Spermatids Spermatozoa

I. SPERMATOCYTOGENESIS 

 
 
Type Ap
Type B
Type Ad (dark) (pale) Primary
Sperma
Spermato- Sperma- Sperma-
-togo-
gonium togo- tocyte
nium
nium

Outer edge of
Location Seminiferous
Tubule

Before
puberty, by
Formed
multiple
 
  mitosis

More
Large, flat,
Nucleus Paler rounde Large
ovoid
d

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 Fine a. MEIOSIS 1 - forms two secondary spermatocytes with
Dispers haploid number of chromosomes
Chromatin Condensed threads
ed SECONDARY SPERMATOCYTE
or clumps
o about half the size of primary spermatocyte
A couple o only 23 chromosomes but in duplicate pairs called
of chromatids.
nucleoli
that are Periphe STAGES OF MEOISIS 1:
Nucleoli Present associat rally 1. INTERPHASE: replication of chromosomes, etc.
ed with located 2. PROPHASE
o primary spermatocyte enters prophase of first
nuclear
meiotic division as soon as it is formed
membra o takes 22 days to complete.
ne Prophase Chro- Homolog
Stages matin ous
Sparse,
Mate- Chromos
Cytoplasm Light-staining light- Abundant
rial omes
staining
1. Start to Fine threads of
Not entered
Largest Leptotene con- chromatin within
spermatogrnic
Other cell in dense nucleus are
cell cycle yet;
characteri male formed
stics A Dormant germ cell
2. Zygotene Con- Approac
reserve stem lineage
denses h each
cell
further other to
Cell form 23
Only when Divide pairs
division
needed actively
(mitosis)
3. seen as corresponding
Mitose to Pachytene two pairs segments of
renew number Produce of sister nonsister
Reason chro- chromatids of the
or produce Type B
for matids paired
Type Ap spermat
mitosis (tetrads) chromosomes are
Spermatogoni ogonium
um exchanged
(crossing over)
4. Diplotene Dupli-
cated
II. MEIOSIS chromo-
somes
begin to
separate
5. move nuclear membrane
Diakinesis further disappears
from
each
other

3. METAPHASE
o homologous pairs of chromosomes align
themselves in parallel fashion at equatorial plane
of cell
4. ANAPHASE
o units of a homolog pair move apart (separation of
bivalents) in opposite direction
o but chromatides of each chromosomes stay joined.
o one member of each of 22 pairs of somatic
chromosomes and Y chromosome move to one
pole of cell
o the other member of each of 22 pairs of somatic
chromosomes and X chromosome move to
opposite pole

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5. TELOPHASE III. SPERMIOGENESIS
o each of two groups of chromosomes acquires a
nuclear membrane
o cytoplasm divides equally between two daughter
cells but they remain connected by cytoplasmic
bridges because cytokinesis is incomplete
o resulting daughter cells are secondary
spermatocytes

b. MEIOSIS 2
o secondary spermatocyte starts second meiosis
immediately
o completes second meiosis in a matter of hours,
hence, hard to find in sections.
SPERMATIDS
o daughter cells produced after second meiosis
o smallest of immature gametes
o round or ovoid cells that contain darkly-staining
nucleus.
PHASES OF SPERMIOGENESIS
1. Golgi acrosomal vesicle formed by Golgi complex
centrioles start to form flagellum
2. Acrosomal acrosomal vesicle transforms into
acrosome or acrosomal cap
nucleus elongates and condenses further
tail lengthens
cytoplasm redistributes to form middle
piece.
3. Maturation residual cytoplasm phagocytosed by Sertoli
cells
mitochondria gather around middle piece
and form mitochondrial sheath

 spermiation
o release of spermatozoon into lumen of
seminiferous tubule
o cytoplasmic bridges severed
o spermatozoon is anatomically mature, but
physiologically immature
 not capable of fertilizing the ovum yet
 not yet motile
o additional maturation occurs in ductus
epididymis

STAGES Of MEIOSIS 2
Final product: Spermatozoa
1. Prophase chromosomes condense number produced per day = 94.6 X 106
two sister chromatides of a chromosome number in ejaculate = 20-250 million/ ml
are still coupled. (note: normal volume of ejaculate =2-5 ml.)
2. Metaphase chromosomes move to equatorial plane
3. Anaphase sister chromatides are pulled apart to
opposite poles by the spindle.
4. Telophase nuclear envelop is formed around each
nucleus
incomplete cytokinesis.

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Parts of spermatozoa SERTOLI CELLS
1. Head o large, tall cells
o condensed nucleus o broad bases; tapering as they extend into free surface
o lateral surfaces have folds that enclose developing
o acrosome or acrosomal cap
gametes
o contains hydrolytic enzymes that o maturing gametes form 4-8 layers of cells in
o disperse cells of corona radiata epithelium
o digest zona pellucida of ovum o spermatogonia occupy basal area of epithelium
2. Tail between Sertoli cells
o basic structure is similar to cilia (except for o as progenies of spermatogonia differentiate, they
end piece) move inward toward lumen
o bases are bound by occluding junctions
o central core (axoneme)
o occluding junction:
o 9+2 arrangement of microtubules
 serves as blood-testis barrier that protects more
o central pair surrounded by 9 peripheral mature cells from blood-borne toxins and
doublets antigens and from elements of immune defense
SEGMENTS OF THE TAIL system.
1. Neck / segment attached to the head  provide nutrients and protection for developing
connecting gametes
piece  phagocytose excess cytoplasm of maturing
gametes
2. Middle piece about 5 micra in length
 produce fluid that fill lumen of seminiferous
surrounded by mitochondrial sheath tubules (facilitates transport of spermatozoa
3. Principal thinner but longer (up to 50 micra) than through excretory ducts)
piece middle piece  synthesize a number of proteins and a hormone,
enclosed by fibrous sheath inhibin.
4. End piece Short; not enclosed by fibrous sheath  follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from pituitary
does not exhibit 9 + 2 pattern of gland increases activity of Sertoli cells
microtubules  FSH enhances spermatogenesis
 inhibin produced by Sertoli cells has a
negative feedback effect on FSH production
by pituitary gland.
TESTIS: SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES INTERSTITIAL CELLS (OF LEYDIG)
 lobules (lobuli testis) o in connective tissue in spaces between seminiferous
o about 250/ testis tubules
o large and ovoid
o separated by septulae testis
o cytoplasm is eosinophilic
o each contains 1-4 seminiferous tubules o contain elongated crystals (of Reinke) in their
o highly-coiled tubes cytoplasm (significance is unknown, but they increase
o sites of spermatogenesis with age)
o small (150-250 µm in diameter) but long (30- TESTOSTERONE
70 cm) o maintains epithelium of seminiferous tubules
o controls spermatogenesis
o occupy greater part of testicular lobules
o responsible for secondary sexual characteristics of the
o wall male
 outer fibrous sheath o controls accessory glands of male reproductive
 inner stratified epithelium, whose cells system
consist of: o secretion of testosterone is controlled by luteinizing
 developing gametes hormone (LH) from pituitary gland.
 Sertoli cells
SECOND COMPONENT OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM –
DUCT SYSTEM OF EACH TESTIS

I. intratesticular ducts
A. tubuli recti
 connect seminiferous tubules to rete
testis
 epithelium is simple columnar except
initial segment (formed by Sertoli cells)

B. rete testis
 network of anastomosing canals within
mediastinum testis
 lined by single layer of cuboidal or
squamous cells with thick basal lamina
 surrounded by vascular connective
tissue

C. ductuli efferentes
 drain rete testis
 
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  12-20 fine tubules that penetrate  small, rounded or pyramidal
tunica albuginea  pale-staining cytoplasm and
 highly tortuous coarse nuclei
 at head of epididymis,they merge to  probably stem cells.
form ductus epidydimis  main site for absorption of excess
 functions fluid from seminiferous tubules
 passageway for sperms  site of accumulation, maturation
 ciliated cells help propel sperms and storage of spermatozoa
 non-ciliated cells absorb fluid  sperm cells stay 2-6 days in ductus
formed by seminiferous tubules. epididymis
 spermatozoa fully motile when they
leave
 note: it takes only about 15 minutes
for motile spermatozoa to cover
distance between vagina and
abdominal cavity.

II. extratesticular ducts

2. connective tissue - binds coils of ductus epididymis

3. blood vessels.

B. ductus (vas) deferens

 continuation of ductus epididymis
 from initial segment to deep inguinal ring,
embedded in spermatic cord

A. ductus epididymis: main component of epididymis

 Epididymis
 C-shaped structure that occupies superior
and posterior surfaces of testis

 segments of epididymis
1. head
2. body
3. tail
 constituents of epididymis
1. ductus epididymis
 highly-coiled tube; diameter just 1
mm
 when uncoiled, length > 6 meters.
 lined by pseudostrafied epithelium
that consists of two types of cells
 principal cells
 tall columnar proximally but
become cuboidal distally
 with stereocilia (microvilli that SPERMATIC CORD:
are as long as cilia but  consists of structures that enter/leave
nonmotile) testis
 secretory cells but secretion  structures enveloped by three layers of
is not well-studied; may aid in dense connective tissue
maturation of sperms 1. internal spermatic fascia
 absorbs fluid that originated 2. cremasteric fascia
from seminiferous tubules.  contains cremaster
 basal cells muscle
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 3. external spermatic fascia

2. muscularis
 very thick
 constituents  smooth muscle fibers arranged in 3 layers:
1. ductus (vas) deferens,  outer and inner-longitudinally oriented
2. its artery and vein  middle - circularly oriented
3. testicular artery
4. pampiniform plexus of veins
5. lymphatics
6. nerves

DUCTUS (VAS) DEFERENS

3. adventitia
 connective tissue with blood and lymph
vessels, and nerves
 merges with connective tissue of spermatic
cord

C. ejaculatory ducts
 union of ductus deferens and duct of seminal
vesicle
 penetrates substance of prostate gland
 empties into posterior part of prostatic urethra
 mucosa
 also with folds that project into lumen
 epithelium is simple columnar
 muscularis
 histological layers  unlike ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct has
1. mucosa no muscular layer.
 with longitudinal folds
 in distal dilated segment (ampulla), forms
more numerous, deeper and complex folds
 epithelium: pseudostratified columnar with
stereocilia (but shorter than in ductus
epididymis)
 lamina propria:loose connective tissue with
elastic fibers

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 D. Urethra: (taken with urinary system)
 Segments:
1. Prostatic
 traverses prostate gland
2. membranous
 traverses sphincter urethrae muscle
3. spongy (penile urethra; cavernous urethra)
 traverses penis
 terminates in external urethral orifice
(meatus).

COPULATORY ORGAN – PENIS 1. corpora cavernosa penis (2)

 skin  structurally identical
 covers penis externally  occupy dorsum of penis
 no hair follicles 2. corpus spongiosum penis (1)
 few sweat glands  central portion occupied by spongy urethra
 hypodermis  glans penis
 rich in blood vessels  enlarged, conical distal part
 with some smooth muscle cells  prepuce – skin cover
 no fat cells  glands of Tyson
 tunica albuginea  in undersurface of prepuce and proximal
portion of glans penis
 internal to hypodermis
 atypical sebaceous glands; not
 thick, tough, dense connective tissue
associated with hair follicles
capsule
 secretion can accumulate and form a
 connective tissue elements from capsule
cheesy material (smegma).
enclose and separate cavernous bodies
that make up penis
 in flaccid penis, 2mm thick ACCESSORY ORGANS
 in fully erect penis, 0.5mm thick  combined secretions account for most of the
volume of male ejaculate or semen
 average volume of male ejaculate (semen) = 2-5
ml
 seminal vesicles = 60%.
 prostate gland = 30%
 spermatozoa <10% ( but 20-250 million/ml)
 bulbourethral glands = 1 -2 drops

A. prostate gland
 largest of accessory glands
 chestnut-shaped
 base (4 cm in dia) is under apex of urinary bladder
 vertical diameter = 3 cm
 AP diameter= 2 cm
 prostatic urethra passes through center of gland.
 capsule
 dense connective tissue
 smooth muscle cells more numerous than
 cavernous bodies collagenous fibers and fibroblasts
 labyrinthine system of vascular channels  often referred to as a fibromuscular organ
 lined by unfenestrated endothelium  septae incompletely divides gland into about
 vascular channels separated by connective tissue 50 poorly-defined lobules.
with elastic fibers and smooth muscle cells
 erectile tissue - blood channels are ordinarily
collapsed but fill up with blood under influence
of erotic stimuli.

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  3 groups of tubuloalveolar glands arranged
concentrically around prostatic urethra
1. main prostatic glands
 bulk of gland
 occupy peripheral 2/3 of gland
 20 ducts open independent of each other on
sides of urethral crest on posterior aspect of
prostatic urethra
2. submucosal glands
 occupy inner third of gland
 ducts open into prostatic sinuses on each side
of urethral crest
3. mucosal glands
 small group of glands that occupy innermost
area
 ducts open over entire surface of prostatic
urethra.
PROSTATE GLAND
 alveoli
 lined with simple cuboidal, simple columnar, or
pseudostratified columnar epithelium
 corpora amylacea; prostatic concretions
 lamellated, small concretions composed of
glycoproteins and other substances that are
deposited around cell fragments
 increase in size and number, and calcify with
age

 secretion is an alkaline fluid that contains

 enzymes
 fibrinolysin
 prostaglandins
 a compound with antibiotic properties. B. seminal vesicles
 pair of glands
 lie between fundus of bladder and rectum and
above prostate gland
 sac-like
 about 5cm long
 actually, each is a long (10-15 cm), narrow tube that
is coiled
 secretion contains
 fructose - source of energy of spermatozoa
 prostaglandins
 fibrinogen.
 capsule
 very vascular connective tissue

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  histologic layers  Capsule: thin connective tissue
1. mucosa  Septae: arise from capsule and divide gland into
 forms intricately branched folds small lobules
 lumen looks like a maze  Lobules:
 Alveoli: epithelium is simple cuboidal
 ducts
 epithelium
 simple tall cuboidal or columnar
proximally
 pseudostratified epithelium in main
duct.

a. epithelium: nonciliated pseudostratified

columnar (or cuboidal)
b. lamina propria

2. muscularis
 inner circularly- arranged (thin layer)
 outer longitudinally- arranged (thicker
layer)
3. adventitia
 connective tissue with elastic fibers.

C. bulbourethral glands (of Cowper)

 pair of pea-sized (diameter = 1 cm), yellowish
organs
 behind and lateral to membranous urethra
 embedded in fibers of sphincter urethrae muscle
 duct opens into proximal part of penile urethra
 compound tubuloalveolar, mucus-secreting gland
 secretion is clear, viscous fluid that is discharged
at or a little before the onset of ejaculation.

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