Male reproductive system

LECTURE FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS

DEPARTMENT OF HISTOLOGY,
CYTOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY KhNMU

2012
The internal male genitalia:

• the testes
• the epididymis,
• the vas deferens
• the accessory sex
glands - the seminal
vesicles,
the prostrate and
the bulbourethral glands
Functions:

• Reproductive --- produce the male

gametes or spermatozoa, and
• Endocrine --- produce male sexual
hormone (testosterone)
Testes
The structure of Testes

Connective tissue
• a thick capsule - the
tunica albuginea
• the mediastinum testis,
projects into the testis
and give septae
• Septae – divide testes on
200-250 lobules
 Each Lobule consist of:

• Connective
tissue --
Interstitium --
with Leidig
cell
• Seminiferous
tubules (1-4
per lobule)
 Leydig cells (15-20 µm)
• synthesise and
secrete
testosterone.
The Convoluted Seminiferous
Tubules
Consists of two
types of cells:
• spermatogenic
cells
• Sertoli cells.
Spermatogenic cells
• Spermatogonia - Type A spermatogonia
- Type B spermatogonia
• Primary spermatocytes
• Secondary spermatocytes
• Spermatids

• Spermatozoa
Spermatogenesis
• Type A
spermatogonia are
stem cells
• which divide to form
new generations of
spermatogonia.
Spermatogenesis
• Type B
spermatogonia ---

their final mitosis always

results in the
formation of Primary
spermatocytes
• Primary
spermatocytes appear
larger than
spermatogonia.
• They immediately
enter the prophase of
the first meiotic
division, which is
extremely prolonged
(about 22 days!).
• The completion of the
first meiotic division
results in the
formation of
Secondary
spermatocytes
• Secondary
spermatocytes, are
smaller than primary
spermatocytes.
• They rapidly enter
and complete the
second meiotic
division.
• Their division results
in the formation of
Spermatids, which
lie in the luminal part
of the seminiferous
epithelium.
• The terminal phase of
spermatogenesis is
called spermiogenesis

• and consists of the

differentiation of the
newly formed
spermatids into
Spermatozoa
Spermatogenesis
• Cell divisions are
incomplete. The cells
remain connected by
bridges of cytoplasm.
Structure of spermatozoa
Sertoli cells

• - provide mechanical
support for the
spermatogenic cells.

• -- provide blood-
testis barrier.

• --- have a nutritive

function.
Eccurrent ducts
• MRS consists of
DUCTS
epididymis - anatomy

• The head of the epididymis receives the

efferent ductules.
• The tail of the epididymis leads into the
vas deferens.
efferent ductules
Epididymis
ductus epididymidis
It is lined by a very tall
pseudostratified
columnar epithelium:

• principal cells, (have

long stereocilia)
• basal cells
ductus epididymis
• The epididymal
duct is extremely
long (4 to 5 meters)
but is highly
convoluted
• It is surrounded by
smooth muscle and
embedded within a
loose, vascular
stroma.
Male Accessory Reproductive
Glands

Seminal Vesicles
Seminal Vesicles
functions:
• the formation of the
sperm coagulum,
• the regulation of
sperm motility and
Male Accessory Reproductive
Glands
Prostate
• is the largest accessory
sex gland in men (about
2 x 3 x 4 cm).
• The secretion contains
citric acid, the enzyme
fibrinolysin , acid
phosphatase, a number
of other enzymes and
lipids.
Male Accessory Reproductive
Glands
• It contains 30 - 50
tubuloalveolar glands,
which empty into 15 -
25 independent
excretory ducts.
These ducts open into
the urethra.
• the peripheral zone
contains large, so-
called main glands,
whose ducts run
posteriorly to open
into the urethra.
• the internal zone
consists of the so-
called submucosal
glands, whereas
• the innermost zone
contains mucosal
glands.
Male Accessory Reproductive
Glands
• The glands are
embedded into a
fibromuscular stroma,
which consists of
smooth muscle and
connective tissue rich
in collagenous and
elastic fibres.
Male Accessory Reproductive
Glands
Prostate
• The epithelium is
cuboidal or columnar.