Spermatogenesis and Testes Endocrine Function Flashcards

1
Q

What is the counter current exchange in the testes?

A

Heat transfer in the counter current flow causes hot blood to be shunted away from the testes keeping them cool for sperm production

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2
Q

How does testosterone work in the counter current exchange?

A

Testosterone is shunted in a manner that keeps it within the testes to keep T levels high

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3
Q

What is spermatogenesis?

A

Proces of sperm production and includes spermiogenesis and spermeation.

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4
Q

What is spermiogenesis?

A

Cellular remodeling of spermatids into spermatozoa

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5
Q

What is spermeation?

A

Extrusion of flagellated spermatozoa into the lumen of the tubule

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6
Q

Where are the most mature sperm found in the semniferous tubule?

A

Towards the center

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7
Q

What happens to the majority of cells undergoing spermatogenesis?

A

Undergo continuous mitotic division with the minority undergoing meiosis

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8
Q

What is the acrosome?

A

A cap of membranes containing digestive enzymes

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9
Q

What are the functions of the epididymus?

A
  • Sperm maturation: gain motility, lose cytoplasm
  • Reservoir for sperm
  • Stabilize acrosome
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10
Q

What is the function of the prostate?

A
  • Secretions are alkaline – neutralize vaginal secretions

* Prostatic specific antigen (diagnostic value)

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11
Q

What is the function of the seminal vesicle?

A

•Secretions of prostaglandins – contractions of uterus and fallopian tubes considered important in sperm movement

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12
Q

What is the function of inhibin?

A

It will inhibit pituitary release of FSH/LH

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13
Q

What is the function of activin?

A

It will activate pituitary release of FSH.LH

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14
Q

What are Leydig cells activated by?

A

They are stimulated by LH

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15
Q

What is the function of the Leydig cells?

A

They secrete T via a GPCR -> PKA pathway that will increase T synthesis and increase sterol carrier protein

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16
Q

What are Sertoli cells activated by?

A

FSH

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17
Q

What is the function of Sertoli cells?

A

Facilitate sperm development via a GPCR path to increase androgen binding protein and increase aromatase synthesis as well as androgen receptor and inhibit synthesis

18
Q

What is the function of androgen binding protein (ABP)?

A

It will keep T levels high as it absorbs T and it will release it as T levels drop and keep the levels consistently high

19
Q

What are the paracrine functions of inhibin?

A

Stimulates T secretion

20
Q

What are the paracrine functions of activin?

A

Inhibits T secretion

21
Q

What NS control is erection under?

A

Parasympathetic via ACh and NO activation of guanylyl cyclase which makes cGMP and leads to vasodilation

22
Q

What NS control is ejaculation under?

A

Sympathetic control via a spinal reflex

23
Q

What is emission?

A

It is the movement of ejaculate into the prostatic/proximal part of urethra

24
Q

What endocrine disorder type is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?

A

Primary

25
Q

What endocrine disorder type is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

A

Secondary/Tertiary

26
Q

What are the effects of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?

A

Increased LH, FSH with decreased testosterone, DHT

27
Q

What are the effects of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

A

Decreased LH, FSH and decreased testosterone, DHT

28
Q

What are the examples of diseases that cause hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?

A

Klinfelter’s
17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency
5alpha-reductase deficiency

29
Q

What are the examples of diseases that cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

A

Kallman’s
Hyperprolactinemia
Hypothalamic Syndromes

30
Q

What phase are the oocytes arrested in until ovulation?

A

Prophase of meiosis

31
Q

What are the primordial follicles?

A

Inactive with 90-95% found in this state

32
Q

What are the primary follicles?

A

Follicular cells differentiate into granulosa cells and the oocyte enlarges

33
Q

What are the secondary follicles?

A

Under FSH influence a group of primary follicle will become secondary with one of the follicles eventually becoming dominant

34
Q

What is the Graafian follicle?

A

It is the secondary follicle that is dominant.

It will have the cumulus oophorus appear and the antrum will enlarge with the granulosa cells beginning to loosen

35
Q

What is ovulation?

A

Rupture of the follicle - release of oocyte to peritoneal cavity

36
Q

What is the function of the corpus luteum?

A

Corpus luteum provides progesterone and gonadal steroids that optimize implantation and maintain zygote until placenta is formed

37
Q

What is the dominant estrogen?

A

Estradiol (E2)

38
Q

What is most estradiol transported by?

A

Albumin most and the SHBG next

39
Q

What are the major progestin hormones?

A

Progesterone and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone

40
Q

What is the function of follistatin?

A

Inhibits the release of FSH by pituitary gonadotrophs