MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Dr. G. Rabino
Histology

EMBRYOLOGY

Development of Genital Ducts

o Indifferent stage
– mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts
– paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts

o In the male (AMH) causes regression of the paramesonephric

(Müllerian) ducts

Indifferent Gonads
o Germ cells migrate along the dorsal mesentery from the yolk sac.
o The cells invade genital ridges in the 6th week.

o Coelomic epithelium proliferate forming the primitive sex cords. o Mesonephric tubules → ductuli efferentes
o Mesonephric duct → duct of epididymis, ductus deferens,
ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicle

The Reproductive System

o Male and female reproductive systems develop from similar
embryonic tissue.
o male and female embryos are indistinguishable-first few weeks of
Descent of Testes
development
o Ovoid structures about 5 cm long and 3 cm wide.
o Adult reproductive systems share some functional similarities.
o Located within the scrotal sac (scrotum)
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o During fetal development they are near the kidneys and slowly
move inferiorly in the abdominal cavity.
o During the 7th month they descend through the inguinal canals
Inside the Scrotum
o Each testes is enclosed by the tunica vaginalis, a continuation of
the peritoneum that lines the abdominopelvic cavity.
o A fibrous capsule covers each testis called the tunica albuginea.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

TESTICLE
o The tunica albuginea gives rise to septa (partitions) that divide the
testis into lobules (about 250)
o Each lobule contains 3 or 4 highly coiled seminiferous tubules
o These converge to become rete testis which transport sperm to the
epididymis

SCROTUM
o Sac of skin and superficial fascia that hangs outside the
abdominopelvic cavity at the root of the penis
o Contains paired testicles separated by a midline septum
o Its external positioning keeps the testes 3C lower than core body
temperature

Wall of the Scrotum SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES HISTOLOGY

o In the dermis, there is a thin layer of smooth muscle known as the
dartos muscle. Contractions of this muscle causes wrinkling of
the skin.
o The cremaster muscle is a thicker layer of skeletal muscle that
lowers and raises the testes based on temperature.

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SPERMATOGENESIS
Development of germ cells into sperm.
o Stem cells: Spermatogonia
o With 23 pairs of chromosomes (normal amount of DNA).
o Meiosis: Primary and secondary spermatocytes
o Primary spermatocyte: Chromosome pairs fuse, crossing
over. Long prophase (about 20 days). First meiotic division,
where each daughter cell receives one chromosome from
each pair.
o Secondary spermatocyte: Prompt second meiotic division,
which is a normal mitotic division.
o Spermiogenesis: Spermatids
o With 23 chromosomes (half of DNA, for fertilization).
o Remarkable differentiation into sperm.

o Spermatogenic stem cells of the seminiferous tubules give rise to

sperm in a series of events
o Mitosis of spermatogonia, forming spermatocytes
o Meiosis forms spermatids from spermatocytes
TESTIS o Spermiogenesis: spermatids form sperm
The testis has about 250 lobules, each containing 1-4 seminiferous
tubules.
o Seminiferous tubule
o Germ cells: Develop into sperm.
o Sertoli cells: Somatic cells, support, nutrition, hormone
receptors.
o Boundary layer (flattened fibroblasts).
o Interstitial tissue
o Leydig cells produce testosterone (a steroid hormone).

o Spermatogonia (in contact with the basal lamina) – at sexual

maturity undergo a series of mitoses
o Primary spermatocytes (the largest cells, 46 chromosomes) →
undergo 1st meiotic division
o Secondary spermatocytes (23 chromosomes) → undergo 2nd
meiotic division
o Spermatids

Testis, Low Power LM, Seminiferous Tubules

SPERM – MAJOR REGIONS

1. Head: contains DNA and has a helmet-like acrosome containing
hydrolytic enzymes that allow the sperm to penetrate and enter
Seminiferous Tubule and Interstitial Tissue, Human Testis LM
the egg
2. Midpiece: contains mitochondria spiraled around the tail filaments
3. Tail: a typical flagellum produced by a centriole

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Spermiogenesis: Spermatids to Sperm

SPERMATIC CORD
Contains the structures running
o from the testicles to the pelvic cavity.
o Passes through the inguinal
canal
o Contents:
o Vas Deferens
o Nerves
o Blood Vessels
o The spermatic cord is unsheathed in
three layers of tissue:
• external spermatic fascia, an
extension of the innominate
fascia that overlies the
aponeurosis of the external
oblique muscle
• cremasteric muscle and fascia, formed from a
EPIDIDYMIS continuation of the internal oblique muscle and its fascia
o Epididymis: Storage and maturation area for sperm • internal spermatic fascia, continuous with the
o Its head joins the efferent ductules and caps the superior aspect of transversalis fascia
the testis
SPERMATIC CORD
o Cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens (ductus
deferens) and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal
ring down to each testicle. Its serosal covering, the tunica
vaginalis, is an extension of the peritoneum that passes through
the transversalis fascia.

o The duct of the epididymis has stereocilia that:

 Absorb testicular fluid
 Pass nutrients to the sperm
 Nonmotile sperm enter, pass through its tubes and become motile
(propelled by peristalsis)
 Upon ejaculation the epididymis contracts, expelling sperm into the
ductus deferens

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EXTERNAL GENITAL DUCTS

o Ductus deferens
Posterior Bladder
– straight tube
– folded mucosa
PROSTATE GLAND
– pseudostratified epithelium o Doughnut-shaped gland that encircles part of the urethra inferior to
– thick layer of smooth muscle: the bladder
• inner and outer layer longitudinal o Plays a role in the activation of sperm
• middle circular o Enters the prostatic urethra during ejaculation
o Prostatic secretions include:
 Citrate: is a food source (TCA cycle)
 Proteolytic enzymes: acts to "decoagulate" the semen that was
coagulated by seminal vesicle secretions, which helps the
sperm begin their journey once inside the vagina

ACCESSORY GLANDS
SEMINAL VESICLES
o Lie on the posterior wall of the bladder and secrete 60% of the
volume of semen
o Seminal fluid:
 Fructose: provides energy for the sperm.
 Fibrinogen: helps turn semen into a bolus that can be
readily propelled into the vagina.
 Prostaglandins: decrease cervical mucus viscosity and
stimulate reverse peristalsis of the uterus.
o Join the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct

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2. Corpus cavernosum- Two columns of tissue running along the

sides of the penis. Blood fills this tissue causing erection.
3. Corpus spongiosum. A column of sponge-like tissue that
surrounds the urethra in the penis and ends at the glans penis. It fills
with blood during an erection, keeping the urethra - which runs
through it - open.
• The urethra runs through the corpus spongiosum, conducting urine
out of the body.

BULBOURETHRAL / COWPER’S GLAND

 Pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate
 Produce alkaline mucus prior to ejaculation that neutralizes traces of
acidic urine in the urethra

PENIS
o The penis’ parts:
1. Glans (head).
In uncircumcised men- foreskin (prepuce) covers the glans , lined with
pink, moist tissue (mucosa).
In circumcised men- foreskin is surgically removed and mucosa
transforms into dry skin.

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SPERM SUMMARY
o Produced –seminiferous tubules
o Stored: Epididymis
o Transported through epididymis by rhythmic peristaltic contractions
as they mature

Epididymis  Vas Deferens  Ejaculatory duct (ampulla of vas deferens

fuses with duct of seminal vesicle “ejaculatory duct”)  Prostate 
Prostatic urethra (then passes the bulbourethral gland)  Membranous
urethra  Penile urethra

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