Male Reproductive System

The testis is involved in the production of sperms (seminiferous tubules) and

the male hormones (cells of Leydig: release testosterone in response to LH)

The developing germ cells undergo meiosis and maturation processes leading
to the formation of a spermatozoa (spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis)

A number of channels conduct the sperms out of the testis and into the
excurrent ducts

Sperms are stored in the epididymis and undergo maturation process

Ductus (vas) deferens forms part of the spermatic cord

A number of accessory sex glands secrete substance which help to protect and
nourish the sperms (seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands)

The penis is made up of three cylinders of erectile tissues

The semen is composite fluid with contributions from various sources

Sperms must under capacitation before they can fertilize an ovum
Effects of androgens on target tissues
Testosterone
Testis
Pituitary
Dihydrotestosterone (5 -reductase does this conversion of
testosterone)
Accessory sex glands
Estrogen (aromatization)
Hypothalamus

Cryptorchism
Undescended testis in the abdominal cavity or inguinal canal
Testis subjected to higher temperature than in scrotum
Sperms do not develop properly
Unilateral = fertile; bilateral = sterile
Androgen production not affected
Increased risk of testicular cancer


Testis
Tunica albuguinea: thick CT capsule; septa divide the
testis into many lobules. Each lobule contains one to four
seminiferous tubules
Leydig cells: make testosterone; adjacent to blood vessels
LH (from AP) stimulates Leydig cells to produce
androgens, which diffuse across the basil lamina
into seminiferous tubules (where high [androgen] is
required for sperm development)
FSH stimulates synthesis of androgen binding
protein
Seminiferous tubules: sperm production and maturation
takes place in the seminiferous tubules
Myloid cells: contractile filaments that move fluid along
seminiferous tubules

Leydig cell
with smooth
ER and lipid
droplets
Release
testosterone in
response to LH
Sertoli cell: in seminiferous tubules; large, sit on the basal
lamina, apex reaches to the lumen; poor-staining nucleus
looks like a baked potato and has a prominent nucleolus
Physical support & nourishment for developing sperm;
forms blood-testis barrier, isolating primary
spermatocytes from any immune cells
Secrete important factors including: Androgen binding
protein [which localizes testosterone in seminiferous
tubules], K
+
, HCO
3
-
, Mullerian inhibitory factor
(embryonic) [which inhibit formation of female genitalia]
The Sertoli Cells
Sertoli cells
Poor-staining nucleus
looks like a baked
potato and has a
prominent nucleolus
Seminiferous Tubule, Semi-thin
Sertoli cells
Basal lamina
Seminiferous Tubule, HP
Sertoli cells
Basil
lamina
The Spermatogenic Cells in the Seminiferous Tubule

Spermatogonium spermatocytes spermatids sperm
Spermatogonia
Spermatogonia (2N chromosomes; 2N DNA)
Sitting on the basil lamina
Located right on the basal
lamina; dont have a
prominent nucleolus (as in
Sertoli cells)
Spermatogenesis
Primary Spermatocyte

Located away from the basal lamina;
earthworm like condensed
chromosomes
First meiotic division; long prophase
Cross over takes place (daughter cells
are genetically different than the
somatic cells)
Yields 2 secondary spermatocytes

Primary Spermatocytes
Primary Spermatocyte (4N DNA; 2N chromosomes)

Myoid cell (contractile CT cell)
Round (Early)
spermatids (N)
Sertoli Cell Nucleus
Residual Bodies
Secondary Spermatocyte

At middle of the epithelium
N chromosomes, 2N DNA
Genetically unique
Second meiotic division
Short prophase
Yields 2 spermatids

Early Spermatids
Two morphological forms
small cells up at the lumen with round
nuclei [jelly-filled doughnut]
Close to the lumen
Small round to elongated
N chromosomes, N DNA
Does not divide further
Undergoes spermiogenesis resulting
in one sperm (spermatozoa)
Spermatids Early spermatids
(jelly-filled
doughnut)
Spermiogenesis
**Mitochondria
are located on
the mid-piece
Seminiferous Tubule, Semi-thin
Late spermatids
Spermiogenesis, PAS-1
Acrosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes
Clonal nature of developing
sperm: Spermatocytes that are
developing are all attached
until they are released into
the lumen

Rete Testis
Rete testis
Network of interconnecting channel
surrounded by a chunk of CT
Within the Mediastinum Testis

Lobule with Seminiferous tubule
Ductuli Efferentes 1
Ductuli efferentes
Draining of Rete Testis
Inside lumen looks like a rollercoaster
(scalloped appearance due to different cell types)
Ductuli Efferentes
Ductuli efferentes
Two types of cells:
Cuboidal type cells:
absorb residual bodies
Ciliated cells because
sperm are unable to
swim yet
Ductuli Efferentes
Cilliated &
absorptive
cells
Only place
where
ciliated cells
appear in the
male
Epididymis
Ductus Epididymis
Sperm
storage
Swells of smooth muscle
becomes thicker down the
tube; assists in peristalsis
for sperm movement
Epididymis, HP
Stereocilia
Golgi
Epididymis
(long microvilli) at apex of
tube; help with absorption
and secretion of fluid
Smooth muscle
Increases in thickness
proximal-to-distal
Ductus (Vas) Deferens
Has the thickest
muscular wall in the
male genital tract;
contracts strongly
during orgasm

Spermatic cord
Suspends the testis;
houses the Ductus
Deferens

Ductus (Vas) Deferens
Small lumen; muscular, strong tube
that contracts during ejaculation
Spermatic Cord
Cremaster muscle
Ductus deferens
Small lumen;
muscular tube
Venous plexus
Runs between testis and
inguinal canal; contains
testicular artery,
pampiniform plexus of
veins, vas deferens and its
vessels, and cremaster
muscle (causes testicular
sac inward movement)
Pampiniform Plexus of Veins
Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus of veins
Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus of veins
Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus of veins
Surround the testicular artery
Heat exchange: Warm blood from aorta; Cooler venous
blood lowers blood that comes into the testis
Accessory sex organs:
Seminal vesicle
Prostate
Bulbourethral gland
All help secrete fluid and require 5-a-DHT
for proper function

Epithelium of Seminal Vesicle
Yellow lipid droplets show up
after puberty and increase in
numbers with age; auto
fluorescent; contributes to semen
Prostatic Acini
Prostate: between the
bladder and penile
urethra; chestnut shape
and size; fibromuscular
stroma (fibroblasts and
smooth muscle)
Acini: secretory units of the
prostate; secretion
neutralizes acidic
environment of vagina
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with basal cells
Basal Cells in Prostate
Normal prostate acini
have a complete ring
of basal reserve cells

Broken ring can
indicate prostate
cancer
Corpora Amylacea
in lumen of
Prostate Acini
condensation of protein
fluid
Bulbourethral gland of Cowper

Secrete a thick, sticky mucous high in sialoprotein due to sexual
excitement for lubrication of urethra
Pale, basophilic cytoplasm

Bulbourethral Gland
Penis Section, Gross
Tunica albuginea
Tunica
albuginea
Important
for
maintaining
an erection;
Thicker for
Corpora
cavernosa
versus
Corpus
spongiosum

Urethra
Penis Ross 21-30
Penis
Corpora cavernosum:
thicker tunic; paired (2);
on dorsal side




Corpus spongiosum:
contains the urethra

Parasympathetic
innervation causes
erection
Sympathetic
innervation causes
ejaculation
Nitrous Oxide is
released by the nerves
in erectile tissues,
dilates the arterioles
for erection
Tunica Albuginea of Penis
t.a. of corpora
cavernosum
t.a. of corpus spongiosum
Penile urethra
Tunica Albuginea of Penis
Cavernous Blood Spaces in the Penis
Erectile Tissue
Trabeculae with smooth muscle walls lined by endothelial cells
Blood flood into the spaces results in erection
Penile Urethra
Glands of
Littre
Penile urethra
Littre glands: secrete a lipid to keep
urethra lubricated for urine flow
Ovary
Cortex with
follicles
Medulla with
blood vessels
follicles
Ovarian arteries
& veins
Ovary
Cortex: germ cells
Medulla: blood vessels
Ovary: Cycle,
Summary
Primordial
Arrested at MI prophase
Primary
Unilaminar
Multilaminar
Secondary (vesicular; fluid
accumulation in antral)
Early (still has primary
oocyte)
Mature (Graafian;
secondary oocyte):
matures M and arrests at
MII metaphase
Ovulation of secondary
oocyte
Corpus luteum
Corpus albicans
Mature
Stigma
Primordial Follicles: primary oocyte with single layer
of flattened follicular cells
Primary Follicle (unilaminar): oocytes enlarge during
follicular growth under influence of FSH (from pituitary
Primary Follicle (multilaminar): Follicular cells
proliferate and form a stratified follicular epithelium,
granulosa layer. Zona pellucida begins to form
Secondary (Antral/ Vesicular) Follice

Follicular fluid contains glycosaminoglycans,
steroid binding proteins, high concentration of
steroids (progesterone, androgens, estrogens)
The theca interna is highly vascularized
Theca interna cells secrete androstenedione
Granulosa cells synthesize aromatase which
transforms androstenedione into estrogen.
Estrogen back diffuses into the stroma and
enters the blood supply.

Theca interna cells
become active
during formation of
secondary oocyte;
produce androgens
that diffuse into the
granulosa cells to be
converted into
estrogens by
aromatase
Mature (Graafian) Follice

Can be as large as 2.5 cm; easily observed in
ultrasounds image (for IVF)
Primordial to mature follicle takes about 90 days

Follicle Sizes
Graafian
Follicle
Antrum
follicle
Ovulation
Mid-cycle surge of LH. Ovulation 16-24hr
after that. Surge is essential for ovulation.
Without the LH surge, ovulation is
imminent
Graafian Follicle
Theca
Primary Oocytes (2N)
Enter first meiotic division and arrest at
prophase I

Secondary oocyte (haploid, N)
Product of first meiotic division (in ovary)
Arrested at metaphase II until fertilization
Released from ovary at the time of
ovulation

MI completes right before ovulation
MII completes right after sperm penetration

Follicular Atresia
Collapsed
follicle
Remains of ZP
Glassy Membrane
Glassy Membrane
Corpus luteum will undergo degeneration and apoptosis if
no fertilization due to negative feedback of progesterone and
estrogen on LH production
Corpus Albicans
remains (scar tissue) of a degenerated corpus luteum
Degenerating Corpus Luteum
Near ovary:
Mucosa well developed
and muscularis less well
developed
Endometrium
Changes during menstrual cycle
Uterine artery is blood supply; can be divided into
straight and spiral arteries
Cavities become the endometrial glands; bottom portion
supplied by straight arteries
Top portion: Stratum functionalis, is the part that comes
off during menstration
Bottom portion: Stratum Basilas

Myometrium
muscular portion of uterine wall
Cells from cervical canal do not get shed with the
endometrium during menstration

Proliferative Phase
Lots of cell
division in
stroma and
glands
(endometrium
proliferation)

Increasing
thickness

Glands are very
straight

Lot of stroma
inbetween the
glands
Secretory Phase
(Luteal/ Progesterone phase)
Convoluted
glands

Little stroma
left

Secretions
fluid found
in gland
lumen

Ready for
zygote
implantation
Myometrium
Menstrual Phase
Dead cells and spiral
arteries on surface to be
shed with endometrium &
stratum functionalis
ESTROGEN
PROGESTERONE
Vagina
SS Epithelium
Fermentation
produces slightly
acidic
environment
Dilated blood vessels
There are no glands
Surface epithelium with
presence of glycogen
Vagina
Poor staining
due to large
amount of
glycogen
accumulation in
epithelium
Inactive Mammary Gland
Ducts, glands, and CT
Lactating Mammary Gland
Secretory
material
Duct
Lactating Mammary Gland
Lactating Mammary Gland
Lactating Mammary Gland
Resting Mammary Gland
Joining of ducts
Milk-ejection reflex: oxytocin