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November 11, 2016
john.bigbee@vcuhealth.org
HISTOLOGY OF THE
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
I. General concepts
A.
Components
1.
2.
Genital ducts
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
Seminiferous tubules
Rete testis
4. Penis
B. Functions of the male reproductive system components
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Produce sperm
Produce male sex hormones
Produce seminal fluid
Propel sperm and seminal fluid (semen) to exterior
Copulation
TESTIS
I.
General organization
A.
Paired, ovoid organ - serves both to produce sperm and secrete testosterone
B.
2.
Septa connective tissue partitions that separate the testis into lobules
3.
Mediastinum testis
a.
Thickening of tunica albuginea, projecting into the testis from its posterior
surface.
b.
Contains the rete testis, a network of ducts that receive the seminiferous
tubules and connect with the efferent ducts which carry sperm out of the
testis.
C.
Parenchyma
1.
2.
mediastinum.
3.
II.
a.
b.
c,
B.
Abundant SER, mitochondria with tubular cristae and lipid droplets in the
cytoplasm
2.
III.
Seminifererous tubules lined by the seminiferous epithelium composed of Sertoli cells and
spermatogenic cells
A.
Tall, columnar cells that rest on the basement membrane and extend to the lumen.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
b.
c.
Meiosis
1.
2.
3.
4.
b.
C.
ii.
ii.
Overview of spermatogenesis
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1.
2.
3.
4.
division)
cells
D.
2.
3.
Spermatogonia
a.
b.
Two types, one divides mitotically for self-renewal, the other type divides
mitotically to form primary spermatocytes.
Primary spermatocytes
a.
b.
c.
d.
Secondary spermatocytes
a.
Haploid cells; stage lasts only eight hours of the entire 74-day
spermatogenic cycle.
c.
4.
Spermatids
a.
b.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Flagellum forms
penetrating
c.
5.
IV.
Haploid cells
Spermatozoa
a.
b.
Courseofspermwithintestis
A.
Seminiferoustubules(convolutedportion),spermproduction
B.
C.
Rete testis
1.
2.
V.
Efferent ducts
A.
B.
Lined with a simple epithelium with scalloped border composed of alternating taller,
ciliated cells and shorter cuboidal cells. Function to propel spermatozoa and
testicular fluid
C.
As the efferent ducts exit the testis, they become highly coiled and form conical
structures, the coni vasculosi (sing. conus vasculosus), whose broad bases form
the head of the epididymis.
resorb
part of
Epididymis
A.
A comma-shaped organ lying posterior to the testis that is divided into head, body and
tail subdivisions.
B.
Efferent ducts
2.
Structure
b.
C.
II.
i.
ii.
Function
i.
ii.
iii.
Body and tail regions of the epididymis contain the continuation of the duct of the
epididymis.
Thick muscular tube conveying and propelling sperm from duct of epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct in the prostate.
B.
Histology
1.
C.
2.
Thick smooth muscle layer - inner and outer longitudinal, middle circular layers
3.
Located in spermatic cord along with the spermatic artery, pampiniform venous
plexus of veins and a nerve plexus.
Continuous with the ejaculatory duct which traverses the prostate to join the urethra
GENITAL GLANDS
I.
II.
Seminal vesicles
A.
B.
C.
Prostate
A.
Single, midline gland; largest of the genital glands; surrounds the prostatic urethra
B.
Composed of 30-50 glands which open into the prostatic urethra; consist ofthree groups,
central, transitional and peripheral; peripheral glands constitute 70% of the prostate.
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D.
C.
Histology
1.
2.
Function - contributes a thin, milky fluid to semen, that is rich in citric acid and acid
phosphatase. Contains hydrolytic enzymes including Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) a
serine protease and fibinolysin.
PENIS
I.
Composition
A.
B.
II.
2.
3.
Each corpus cavernosum contains a deep artery which distributes blood to nutritive
arteries and helicine arteries. Helicine arteries distribute blood to the cavernous
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spaces
III.
B.
In the flaccid state, there is minimal blood flow to the corpora, mostly through the
nutritive arteries.
C.
Erection
1.
2.
The subsequent filling of the cavernous spaces expands the tissue which pushes
against the tunica albuginea, causing the penis to become erect and turgid.
3.
Corpus spongiosum does not become as erect as the other cavernous bodies
because the tunica albuginea is thinner here. Lumen of the urethra remains open
for the passage of sperm during ejaculation.
4.
Penile urethra
A.
B.
Histology
1.
2.
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This slide contains a section through the immature human testis in the scrotum. One the left side of the
section, it also includes a portion of the epididymis.
The outermost layer in this section is the scrotal wall which is separated from the testis by a space.
Directly covering the surface of the tesits is the tunica albuginea, which consists of an eosin-stained,
dense layer of connective tissue. The connective tissue septa which separate the testis into lobules
connect with the tunica albuginea. Notice on the left side of the testis, the tunica albuginea extends into
the center forming the mediastinum. The mediastinum contains a network of anastomosing channels,
the rete testis, which are lined with simple cuboidal epithelium. The rete testis connects with the
straight portions (tubuli recti) of the seminiferous tubules. In this section, the best examples of tubuli
recti are visible on the right end of the mediastinum.
Interstitial cells (of Leydig):
Examine the slide at low magnification and note the thick tunica albuginea at the bottom with its large
blood vessels. The remainder of the section contains the convoluted portions of seminiferous tubules.
Zoom in on this section and note the wide variety of profiles which reflects the highly coiled structure of
the tubules. Zoom in further to an area of connective tissue between the tubules and identify the
interstitial cells. These steroid secreting cells are present in small clusters and have a highly vacuolated
cytoplasm reflecting the large number of lipid droplets.
Seminiferous tubules:
This slide also shows the detailed structure of seminiferous tubules and the stages of spermatogenesis in
their epithelium. The seminiferous epithelium is composed of spermatogenic, germ cells and
supporting Sertoli cells. The epithelium is supported by a basement membrane and a prominent
connective tissue capsule. First, locate the Sertoli cells. Each cell is columnar shaped and the nucleus is
typically located in the basal one-third of the cell. The nucleus is ovoid rather than round, is often
indented and is usually oriented perpendicular to the basement membrane. The cell extends to the
luminal surface however the outline of the cell cannot be distinguished. Spermatogenic cells at all
stages of development are surrounded by cellular processes of the Sertoli cell.
Next review the details of the germ cells, always keeping in mind how each cell divides and the number
of chromosomes each possesses.
Spermatogonia:
These cells are located on the basement membrane. They are roughly cuboidal in
shape and their spherical nuclei will be used as a reference for identifying the nuclei of the other cell
types. A and B spermatogonia cannot be distinguished. These cells are diploid and divide by mitosis.
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Primary spermatocytes:
These cells are mostly located in the middle third of the epithelium in the
luminal compartment. Many spermatocytes will be visible and their nuclei contain large, condensed
chromosomes. These cells are arrested in prophase and their nuclei measure about 150% of the size of
the spermatogonia nuclei. They are the largest cells in the spermatogenic series. They are diploid and
are undergoing Meiosis I.
Secondary spermatocytes:
You are not required to identify these cells as they are very short lived and
hence very few are present. These cells are located closer to the lumen and have nuclei which are about
the same size as that of spermatogonia. These cells are formed when primary spermatocytes complete
Meiosis I during which the chromosome number is reduced by one-half. Hence these cells are haploid.
Secondary spermatocytes divided by Meiosis II to produce haploid spermatids.
Spermatids: Spermatids lie closer to the lumen and show a variety of cell shapes. Once formed,
spermatids do not divide. They first resemble the spherical secondary spermatocytes from which they
were derived and are often referred to early spermatids. Gradually, each begins to elongate, loses a
portion of its cytoplasm, develops a flagellum and are often referred to late spermatids. The process is
called spermiogenesis and all the while, the cells are associated with Sertoli cells.
Spermatozoa:
Mature spermatozoa are released by Sertoli cells into the lumen by the process
called spermiation. Only those cells which are free in the lumen are spermatozoa.
GENITAL DUCTS
Efferent ducts:
The tissue in the lower two-thirds of this section contains the continuation of the rete testis out of the
testis (above) as it connects with the efferent ducts. In this lower area, locate a tubule of the rete testis.
These tubules have a low, simple cuboidal epithelium and in some cases you can see a second, taller
epithelium which is that of the efferent ducts. As the rete testis connects with the efferent ducts, these
dual epithelium tubules indicate areas of junction. Next locate one of the efferent ducts, which lined
entirely by this taller epithelium. Note that this epithelium has an irregular, scalloped margin and
contains both columnar and cuboidal cells. Each of the efferent ducts, together with the surrounding
connective tissue and blood vessels, coil into a cone called the conus vasculosus. On this slide, there
are three of these structures as indicated by the double arrows in the image below. The distal ends of the
efferent ducts anastomose to form the single duct of the epididymis, but this junction is not visible in
this section.
Epididymis: Slide #171, Epididymis, upper
This section is taken from the body of the epididymis. The epididymis is surrounded by a dense
connective tissue covering which enclosed the highly coiled, single duct of the epididymis are. Zoom
in one section of the duct and notes the pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.
Beneath the epithelium is a thick muscle layer which helps move the sperm along the highly coiled duct.
The spermatozoa are not motile at this time. In the center of the duct is an accumulation of
spermatozoa.
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The seminal vesicle is a single tubular gland which is highly coiled and saccular. It joins the ductus
deferens just before it enters the prostate as the ejaculatory duct. Each of the circular/oval profiles you
see are sections of the same, coiled tube. The mucosa of the seminal vesicle is folded and complex,
which subdivides the lumen into numerous crypts. This complex mucosa is diagnostic for the seminal
vesicle. The epithelium is pseudostratified columnar.
Prostate gland:
Slide #173, Prostate
Unlike the seminal vesicle, the prostate gland is composed of many individual glands which empty
independently into the urethra. Each gland is embedded in an abundant stroma of dense irregular
connective tissue and the mucosa is much simpler than the seminal vesicle. The epithelium is
pseudostratified columnar. Diagnostic for the prostate is the presence of eosinophilic prostatic
concretions in the lumen of some of the glands. These increase with age, but are mostly asymptomatic.
PENIS
Penis: Slide #194, Penis
This cross section through the penis is inverted such that the ventral surface of the organ is oriented
toward the top of the slide. Locate the paired, dorsally located corpora cavernosa and the single
ventral corpus spongiosum. These structures are surrounded by a tunica albuginea, which is much
thicker around the corpora cavernosa. Note that the septum between the two corpora is incomplete.
Examine the erectile tissue, and identify the cavernous spaces and the intervening trabeculae. Within
each corpora cavernosa is a deep artery, located near the midline. The corpus spongiosum encloses the
penile urethra.
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Structure to identify
Immature Testis
Mediastinum
Rete testis
Seminiferous tubules
Convoluted portions
Straight portions (tubuli recti)
Tunica albuginea
Genital ducts
Duct of the epididymis
Ductus deferens
Efferent ducts
Rete testis
Tubuli recti
Testis
Interstitial cells of Leydig
Spermatic cord
Ductus deferens
Pampiniform plexus of veins
Testicular artery
Mediastinum
Primary spermatocytes
Genital glands
Prostate
Prostatic concretions
Seminal vesicle
Sertoli cells
Spermatogonia
Spermatids (early and late)
Penis
Corpora cavernosa
Corpus spongiosum
Deep arteries
Glands of Littre
Penile urethra
Tunica albuginea
Spermatozoa
Tunica albuginea
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