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Male reproductive organs include: Primary sex organs & Accessory sex organs
Primary sex organs (gonads): Testes
Seminiferous tubules:
The stratified epithelium consists of 2 types of cells: germ cells & sertoli cells.
Germ cells (spermatogenic cells):
• They are the precursor cells of spermatozoa. They occupy the spaces btwn basement
membrane & lumen of seminiferous tubules.
• In children, only primitive germ cells called spermatogonia are present.
• With the onset of puberty, different stages of spermatogenic cells are seen: (from
periphery to lumen):
Spermatogonium primary spermatocyte secondary spermatocyte spermatid.
Sertoli cells (sustentacular cells / nurse cells):
• They are large irregular columnar cells extending from the basement membrane to the
lumen.
• Supporting cells that provide protection & nourishment for spermatogenic cells till the
spermatozoa are released from them.
Functions of sertoli cells:
• Convert androgens into estrogens via the enzyme aromatase present in sertoli cells.
• Secrete androgen binding protein (ABP) & EstrogenBP (EBP).
• Secrete inhibin & activin– which inhibit & stimulate the release of FSH from ant.
Pituitary respectively.
• Secrete Mullerian regression factor (MRF) or Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) in
fetal testes. MRF is responsible for regression of Mullerian duct during sex
differentiation in fetus.
Blood-Testis Barrier
• It is a mechanical barrier that separates seminiferous tubules of testes from blood & other
testicular tissues.
• It is formed by tight junctions btwn the adjacent sertoli cells near the basal membrane of
s.tubule.
• The testosterone must be bound to androgen- binding protein (ABP) to cross the barrier.
• Functions:
Prevents the entry of large molecules (such as proteins & cytotoxic substances, galactose)
Allows the passage of water, urea, nutritive substances & hormones for spermatogenesis.
• Damage of the barrier: by trauma or viral infection like mumps. The sperms enter the
blood activation of immune system autoantibodies against sperms destruction of
germ cells sterility.
Stages of spermatogenesis
Spermatogonia are primitive sex cells. At puberty, a spermatogonium divides mitotically
to form two daughter cells:
• One of these is kept as a lifetime stem cell reservoir.
• The other undergoes several divisions to form a primary spermatocyte.
Effects of testosterone:
Target organ of testosterone – Testes
• It affects male sexual differentiation, spermatogenesis & sperm growth.
• It influences the functions of genitalia, prostate & seminal vesicle.
• It induces the secondary sex characteristics that occur in males around the time of
puberty.
• It is necessary for normal sex drive (libido), procreative capacity (fertility) and coital
capacity (potentia coeundi) in the male.
• It stimulates hematopoiesis & has anabolic properties muscle mass in males.
• It also has CNS effects & can influence behavior— e.g., cause aggressiveness.
Semen
• White or grey fluid that contains spermatozoa.
• Fluid expelled during ejaculation (2–6 mL) contains 35–200 million sperm in a nutrient
fluid - seminal plasma.
• Semen: 10% - sperms from the testes.
• 90% - Seminal plasma, which is a collection of fluids form:
o Prostate gives milky appearance to semen (due to alkaline secretion), PG’s stimulate
uterine contraction.
o Seminal vesicles & Bulbourethral gland provide mucoid consistency to semen.
• During intercourse, the alkaline seminal plasma vaginal pH sperm motility.
• Sperm count = 100 – 150 million / ml.
• Sterility occurs when the sperm count falls below 20 millions/ml.
Prostate:
• The acidic vaginal secretions in the females are neutralized by the alkaline secretions of
the prostate.
• Its clotting enzymes convert fibrinogen (from seminal vesicles) into coagulum, essential
for holding the sperms in uterine cervix.
• The coagulum is dissolved by fibrinolysin of the prostatic fluid so sperms become
motile.
Structure of Sperm
• Has 4 parts: head, neck, body & tail.
• The ant. 2/3rd of the head is like a thick cap – acrosome (Galea capitis), which develops
from golgi apparatus.
• It is made up of mucopolysacharide & acid phosphatase. It also contains hyaluronidase &
proteolytic enzymes essential for fertilization of ovum.
Fertilization
• Fusion of sperm & egg. Occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.
• Sperm ascension: Small percentage of the sperm expelled during ejaculation reaches the
fallopian tubes.
• The mucous plug sealing the cervix has to be penetrated for sperm ascension.
• The mucous plug also acts as a sperm reservoir for a few days.
• Capacitation: The sperm must undergo certain changes to be able to fertilize an ovum. It
is done during the time required for the sperms to reach the ampulla of fallopian tube
(about 5 hours).
• After ovulation the ovum is released into the abdominal cavity & enters the fallopian
tubes via fimbriated end.
• Ovum of mature follicle in the ovary is in the primary oocyte stage with diploid no. of
chromosomes. Just before ovulation, 2nd meiotic division takes place forming 2ndary
oocyte which is haploid.
• When a sperm makes contact with the egg (via chemotaxis), species-specific sperm-
binding receptors on the ovum are exposed & the proteolytic enzyme acrosin is thereby
activated (acrosomal reaction).
• Acrosin allows the sperm to penetrate the cells surrounding the egg (corona radiata).
• The sperm bind to receptors on the envelope surrounding the ovum (zona pellucida) &
enters the egg. The membranes of both cells then fuse.
• The ovum now undergoes a 2nd meiotic division, which concludes the act of fertilization.
• Rapid proteolytic changes in the receptors on the ovum (zona pellucida reaction)
prevent other sperm from entering the egg.
• Fertilization usually takes place on the 1st day after intercourse & is only possible within
24 hours after ovulation.