PHYSIO B 2.

3 – MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine
Lecturer: Dr. Mendoza - 1.15.14 1B-Medicine

ANATOMY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN

1. TESTIS
- Most important organ for spermatogenesis
- Composed of up to 900 coiled seminiferous tubules
1.1 SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
o Coiled structure in w/c sperm are formed
o Coalesce to form rete testis then the efferent
ductules that forms the epididymis
2. EPIDIDYMIS: coiled tubule in w/c sperm empty into
3. VAS DEFERENS Seminiferous tubules:
- enlarges at the end to form the (3.1) ampulla of vas from the periphery to the
deferens before entering the body of the prostate gland center, spermatogonium
4. PROSTATE GLAND become mature
5. SEMINAL VESICLES
6. EJACULATORY DUCT Sertoli cell
- provide structural
- Contents from the ampulla of vas deferens, seminal
framework that
vesicles & prostate empty into the ejaculatory duct
stabilizes the iniside of
7. URETHRA seminiferous tubule
- Last connecting link from the testis to the exterior - contains ___ antigen &
- Supplied w/mucus by the urethral glands & the Mullerian Inhibiting
bulbourethral (cowper’s) gland Hormone
8. GLANS PENIS: tip of the penis
During the embryonic
period: Primordial germ
cells migrate into the
testes & become
Spermatogonia; they line
the inner surface of the
seminiferous tubules
(outer layer: most
immature, inner layer:
most mature)
Spermatogonia remain
dormant until puberty

STEPS OF SPERMATOGENESIS (takes about 64-74 days)

1. Spermatogonia (Diploid: 46 chromosomes) will undergo
mitotic division to proliferate. Each divison will produce 2
daughter spermatogonia that will be modified to become
Primary spermatocyte (diploid)
2. Primary spermatocyte will undergo meiosis I to become
Secondary spermatocyte (Haploid:23 chromosomes)
3. Secondary spermatocyte will undergo meiosis II to
become Spermatids.
4. These spermatids will differentiate/tramsform to
become Mature sperm cell, a process called
Spermiogenesis.
SPERMATOGENESIS *this process is very important because it will determine
- Occurs in the seminiferous tubules the sex of the fetus
- Controlled by anterior gonadotrophic hormones: FSH&LH
- Starts at around 13 yrs of age (ave. age of puberty)

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PHYSIO B 2.3 – MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine
Lecturer: Dr. Mendoza - 1.15.14
HORMONES THAT STIMULATE SPERMATOGENESIS
1. Testosterone
- Secreted by the Leydig cells
- Essential for growth & division of testicular germinal
cells
- No testosterone = no spermatogenesis
2. Luteinizing hormone
- Secreted by the anterior pituitary gland
- Stimulates leydig cells to produce/secrete testosterone
3. Follicle stimulating hormone
- Secreted by the anterior pituitary gland
- Stimulates sertoli cells for spermiogenesis
- No FSH = no differentiation of spermatids to mature
sperm cells
4. Estrogens
- Formed from testosterone by the sertoli cell also
important in spermiogenesis
5. Growth hormone
- Controls metabolic functions of testes
- Promotes early division of spermatogonia
- Severe deficiency can lead to infertility
CHARACTERISTICS OF A MATURE SPERM
Each mature sperm is composed of:
1. Head
- Has a condensed nucleus with a thin cytoplasm & cell
membrane
- On the outside 2/3 of the head is a thick cap called
acrosome that are formed mainly of golgi apparatus
- Acrosome contains proteolytic
enzymes & hyaluronidase that
are needed for sperm
penetration to ovum
2. Tail/Flagellum
- Has 3 major components:
o a central skeleton constructed
of 11 microtubules
o Thin cell membrane
o Body of the tail: proximal
portion composed of
mitochondria that is the
source of energy
Functional maturation of sperm in the epididymis
Upon differentiation of spermatid to mature sperm cell, it is
matured only in appearance but it is still deeply suppressed
by inhibiting proteins so they are non-motile.
Sperm that have been in the epididymis for about 18-24
hours start to mature functionally, having some motility but
are not fully motile until after ejaculation.
They are stored primarily in the vas deferens.
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1B-Medicine
PHYSIOLOGY OF A FUNCTIONALLY MATURE SPERM
1. Motile & capable of flagellated movement through fluid
medium at velocities of 1 to 4 mm/min
2. Active in neutral or slightly alkaline medium
3. Activity increases in increasing temperature
4. Lifespan is decreased in high temperature
*this is why when sperm are in the female genital tract
(acidic), they can only last 1-2 days
SEMEN
- Transportation medium of the sperm that counteracts
acidity & harsh environments of the female genital tract
- Ejaculated during male sexual act
- Milky and mucoid
- 60% from seminal vesicle; 30% from prostate gland; 10%
from vas deferens & a small amt from the mucus
(bulbourethral gland)
- Has a pH of 7.5 (alkaline)
- Forms a coagulum because of the presence of fibrinogen
& other coagulating factors
o Reason why semen has a mucoid consistency
o Important for survival of semen in female genital tract
o Dissolves/liquefies within 15-30 mins (becomes
transparent/watery)
Seminal vesicles
- Tortuous, loculated tube that secretes fructose, citric acid,
prostaglandin & fibrinogen
- Fibrinogen + coagulating factors from prostate produces
the coagulum
- Importance of prostaglandin
o Reacts with the female cervical mucus to make it
more receptive of the sperm movement
o Possibly causes backward, reverse peristaltic
contractions in the uterus & fallopian tubes to move
ejaculated sperm toward the ovary
Prostate gland
- Secrete thin, milky fluid that contains Ca, citrate ion,
phosphate ion,a clotting enzyme & profibrinolysin
- Profibrinolysin lyse the coagulum
- Makes the semen alkaline due to its high citrate,
phosphate & Ca in its secretion
- This alkalinity buffers the vaginal secretions (pH 3.5-4.5),
increasing it to around pH 6-6.5 wherein sperm become
more motile
CAPACITATION OF SPERMATOZOA
Remember that sperm cells are primarily stored in the vas
deferens and once ejaculated, cholesterol esters from the
male genital ducts will bind to the acrosomal membrane
making it stronger.
Upon entrance to the vagina & lysis of coagulum, motile
sperm are released and will now start to travel.
PHYSIO B 2.3 – MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine
Lecturer: Dr. Mendoza - 1.15.14
Once they pass the cervical mucus:
- cholesterol esters are removed thus the acrosomal
membrane weakens
- It becomes more permeable to Ca w/c are utilized for final
motility making them faster & giving them the whip-like
motion
In summary, Capacitation is:
1. Removal of cholesterol esters
2. Addition of Ca
3. Production of whip-like movement of the flagella
ACROSOME REACTION
- Happens when the sperm cell finds the egg cell
- Weakened acrosome head will release proteolytic
enzymes & hyaluronidase that will digest the wall of the
egg cell
- Acrosomal process is the bridge of sperm nucleus into the
egg
- Fertilization happens when the nucleus of the sperm
unites with the nucleus of the egg
ABNORMAL SPERMATOGENESIS & MALE FERTILITY:
DESTRUCTION OF THE SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
Causes:
- No. 1 cause is bilateral orchitis (inflammation of the
testes) due to mumps
- Inborn: degenerative tubular epithelia
- Excessive temperature of the testes
- Excessive trauma
Effect of temperature in spermatogenesis
- Increased temperature can prevent spermatogenesis
- Scrotum is placed outside the body because it needs to
have a 2° difference with body temperature to be
protected from excessive heat
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CHRYPTORCHIDISM
- Failure of testes to descend
- Testes is an abdominal organ during the embryonic period
& only starts to descend 2-3 months before the delivery
- This descent is controlled by testosterone so failure to
descend is probably due to lack of testosterone
- There is no cooling mechanism so it is subjected to high
temperature that leads to degeneration of germinal
epithelium, finally causing infertility
- Also, wrong location can lead to neoplastic or tumor
formation on that area where it got stuck
SPERM COUNT
o Semen per ejaculation during coitus: ave. of 3.5mL
o In each mL of semen:
- Ave. of 120M sperm
- Normal males: 35M to 200M
- Infertile: < 20M sperm
SPERM MORPHOLOGY & MOTILITY
- Sperm should be normal in appearance so it will have a
normal (one direction only) movement for fertilization
MALE SEXUAL ACT
GLANS PENIS
- Most important source of sensory nerve signal for
initiating the male sexual act
- Contains an especially sensitive sensory-end-organ system
that transmits into the CNS the sexual sensation
Transmission of Sexual Sensation
Sensory nerves in glans penis  Pudendal nerves  sacral
plexus  sacral portion of the spinal cord  brain
Impulses/Stimulation may also come from:
o Anal epithelium
o Scrotum
o Perineal structures
o Internal organs such as: urethra, bladder, prostate,
seminal vesicles, testes & vas deferens
*filling of these sex organs w/ secretions is one of the causes of
sex drives
 Psychic stimuli like sexual thoughts & dreams can also
initiate male sexual act
PHYSIO B 2.3 – MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine
Lecturer: Dr. Mendoza - 1.15.14 1B-Medicine

STAGES OF MALE SEXUAL ACT Negative Feedback Control of Seminiferous Tubule Activity
1. Penile erection - When seminiferous tubules fail to produce sperm, FSH
- 1st effect of male sexual stimulation secretion of the anterior pituitary increases markedly
- Degree of erection is proportionate to degree of - When spermatogenesis proceeds too rapidly, pituitary
stimulation secretion of FSH decreases due to inhibin, a hormone
- Caused by PARASYMPATHETIC (PS) impulses secreted by te sertoli cell.
o PS stimulation will release nitric oxide that activates
guanilyl cyclase w/c in turn increases cyclic GMP LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE THROUGH STAGES OF LIFE CYCLE
o cGMP vasodilation of arteries of penis & erectile o During the fetal life (inside uterus), there is testosterone
tissues, increasing blood flow in the penis w/c is the but HCG or Human chorionic gonadotrpin hormone is the
cause of erection one that stimulates its release.
2. Lubrication o At birth, there is a little amt of testosterone but declines
- Also caused by PARASYMPATHETIC activation at age 1.
o PS stimulation causes urethral & bulbourethral glands to o In the childhood years, testosterone is absent.
secrete mucus o At the onset puberty, testosterone levels, stimulated by
- Main lubrication comes from the females LH, surges again & this will continue up to adulthood.
o At age 50-60, testosterone levels declines as well as
3. Emission & ejaculation spermatogenesis
- Caused by SYMPATHETIC nerve impulses
- Culmination of male sexual act
From Guyton (not discussed pero baka itanong,alam niyo naman)
Emission
 Begins w/ contraction of vas deferens & ampulla causing
expulsion of sperm into the internal urethra
 Then, contractions of prostate followed by contraction of
seminal vesicles expel prostatic & seminal fluid into the urethra
 Mixing of these fluids w/ mucus from bulbourethral glands
forms the semen
Ejaculation
 Rhythmical contraction of internal genital organs & contraction
of ischoicavernosus & bulbocavernosus muscles compresses
the erectile tissues will cause ejaculation of semen externally
4. Resolution (from Guyton & not discussed also)
- Termination of male sexual act : disappears almost
entirely after 1-2mins & erection ceases

HORMONAL CONTROL OF MALE SEXUAL FUNCTIONS TESTOSTERONE

- Secreted by the leydig cells through stimulation from LH
Once male reaches puberty: - major precursor is the cholesterol
1. GnRH is secreted by the o cholesterol desmolase
hypothalamus.  rate limiting enzyme in the production of
2. GnRH will then stimulate testosterone
anterior pituitary to secrete LH  converts cholesterol to pregnenolone
& FSH.  stimulated by LH
- LH stimulates leydig cells to - males can produce 4-9 mg of testosterone per day &
secrete testosterone. majority is bound to proteins
- FSH will stimulate sertoli cell - a prohormone: it can still be converted to an active from---
for spermatogenesis. dihydrotestosterone (more active than testosterone)
o 5α-reductase: enzyme for converting testosterone to
Testosterone-Negative Feedback dihydrotestosterone
Control o around 20% can be produced directly from the testes
- Testosterone inhibits - numerous in the first few months of life & highest during
hypothalamus to produce GnRH puberty up to the adult stage
- Too little testosterone, however, - small amt are secreted by the adrenals but this will not be
stimulates GnRH secretion of the enough to develop the male sexual characteristics
hypothalamus

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PHYSIO B 2.3 – MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FEU-NRMF Institute of Medicine
Lecturer: Dr. Mendoza - 1.15.14 1B-Medicine

ANDROSTENEDIONE Cancer of the prostate

- 2.5 mg/day
- another androgen that is an important precursor of
estrogen in men w/c is important in spermatogenesis
- converted to estrogen with the help of cytochrome p450
w/c are found in liver, brain & fats
FUNCTIONS OF TESTOSTERONE
 Development of fetal genital organs & descent of testes
 Development of adult primary & secondary sexual
characteristics
1. Affects growth & distribution of body hair
o More testosterone = hair in the chest, face, pubic
area & extermeties
o Too much testosterone can cause baldness
2. Affects the vocal cords: makes voice deeper
3. Increases thickness of skin & contributes to
development of acne
o This is why men are more prone to acne than
women & sometimes estrogen is used to counteract
this effect of testosterone
4. Increase protein formation & muscle development
5. Increase bone matrix & causes calcium retention
o Bone growth is rapid but testosterone stimulates
closure of epiphyseal plates
6. Increases basal metabolic rate
7. Increases RBC’s: not because of increased
erythropoietin production but because of basal
metabolic rate so more RBC’s are needed
8. Increases Na reabsorption & water retention
o Reason why men who inject anabolic steroids are
more prone to hypertension
- Due to effect of testosterone in the cancer cells in the
prostate
- Cause of 2-3% male deaths
- Treatment either:
o removal of testes to remove source of testosterone
o administration of estrogen t counteract testosterone
effects
HYPOGONADISM
- decreased testosterone so primary & secondary male
characteristics failed to develop
o there is infantile penis
o there is no scrotum & body hair
o bone & muscle weakness
o there is more body fat
- causes are hereditary genetic disorders like Klinefelter’s &
chromosomal defects
TESTICULAR TUMORS & HYPERGONADISM
- tumors in the leydig cells (rare) that causes 100x increase
in testosterone levels
- rapid growth in muscles & bone but there is premature
closure of epiphyseal plates so stature is still small

MALE CLIMACTERIC
- Decreased sexual functions secondary to decreased
testosterone
- Usually at 50’s or 60’s, at average age of 68 *At the end of the lecture, he instructed to read the lecture guide
- Male counterpart of menopause with same symptoms: which has information that is not here, so please do so. 
hot flashes, suffocation & psychic disorders

ABNORMALITIES OF MALE SEXUAL FUNCTIONS:

PROSTATE GLAND & ITS ABNORMALITIES

- Prostate are naturally small, especially during childhood
because it is not used
- They only increase in size in the presence of testosterone
because they are already used
Benign prostatic fibroadenoma
- Prostate are enlarged compressing the ureter resulting in
urinary obstruction
- Common in overweight individuals
- Not secondary to testosterone