HISTO ● HISTOLOGY SHIFT

M17: MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

#4
NELSON M. MAGLINAO, MD APRIL 12, 2022

● Cryptorchidism (undescended testis)

LECTURE OUTLINE
○ Clinical condition where in there is a failure of testis to descend
I Male Reproductive System into the scrotum
A. Testis ○ Ectopic testis may be found in the abdominal cavity where there is
B. Layers of the Testis a possibility of malignancy or it may be located in the inguinal
area
II Gametogenesis
● Orchidopexy: procedure used in surgery for cryptorchidism to put the
A. Seminiferous Tubules
testis in the scrotum
B. Sertoli Cells
1. Functions of Sertoli Cells
C. Blood-testis Barrier
D. Spermatogenic Cells
E. Spermatogenesis
F. Spermiogenesis
G. Spermatozoa
H. Interstitial Cells of Leydig
III Male Genital Ducts
A. Tubuli Recti
B. Rete Testis
C. Ductuli Efferentes
D. Epididymis
E. Vas Deferens / Ductus Deferens
1. Mucosa of Vas Deferens
2. Muscularis of Vas Deferens
3. Adventitia of Vas Deferens
F. Ejaculatory Duct
IV. Male Accessory Glands
A. Seminal Vesicle Figure 1. Testis
B. Prostate Gland Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture and Wheather’s Functional Histology
1. Zones of Prostate Gland
2. Prostate Cancer
C. Bulbourethral Gland B. LAYERS OF THE TESTIS
● TUNICA VAGINALIS
V Penis
○ Double Layer of mesothelium with a potential space
VI Semen ○ Consists of a visceral and parietal layer
■ Separated by a thin serous fluid that acts as a lubricant
VII References allowing free movement in the scrotal sac
VIII Appendix ● TUNICA ALBUGINEA
○ Dense fibroelastic CT with smooth muscle cells
■ Thickest, most prominent layer
I. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ■ Capable of rhythmic contraction
● Testis ■ Regulate the size of the testis, maintain low temperature for
○ Exocrine: production of spermatozoa spermatogenesis
○ Endocrine: secretion of testosterone ○ Mediastinum of the Testis
● Series of Excretory ducts ■ Thickening of the tunica albuginea at the posterior surface
○ Ejaculatory ducts converge with the urethra from which of the testis and sends out trabeculae that gives rise to
spermatozoa are expelled septa that divides the testis up to 250 lobules(Testicular
○ Stores and carries spermatozoa lobule). In each lobule there are about 4 highly convoluted
● Accessory Reproductive Glands: support the sperm cells seminiferous tubules in which the sperm are produced.
○ Seminal Vesicle
○ Prostate Gland
○ Bulbo urethral Glands
■ Pair of small accessory glands
■ Secrete a fluid which lubricate the urethra for the passage of
semen
● Penis: organ of copulation

A. TESTIS
● Ovoid shaped organ lodged in the scrotum
○ Scrotum: pendulous bag of skin with an incomplete layer of
smooth muscle (Dartos muscle)
○ Large surface area provides a low temperature ideal for
spermatogenesis
● Compound tubular gland
● Descends from the posterior wall of the peritoneal cavity to the scrotum
Figure 2. Mediastinum Testis
during embryonic development
Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture
● During migration, it carries with it an investing layer of peritoneum
○ In the scrotum the testis is almost completely surrounded by a
double layer of mesothelium (tunica vaginalis) enclosing a
potential space
(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 1
 Figure 5. Seminiferous Tubules Hematoxylin and Eosin
Wheather’s Functional Histology

B. SERTOLI CELLS
● Tall, columnar, pillar-like cells extending upward through the full
thickness of the epithelium
Figure 3. Testis specifically, Testicular Lobule and Seminiferous Tubule ● Found between spermatogenic cells that rest on the basement
Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture membrane of the seminiferous tubule
● Nucleus: triangular or ovoid in shape with nucleolus and dispersed
● TUNICA VASCULOSA chromatin
○ Deepest Layer of the Tunica Albuginea consisting of loose ● Cytoplasm: extends to the lumen of the tubule
connective tissue with blood and lymphatics ● Thin cytoplasmic processes spread out throughout the entire germinal
epithelium enclosing all the cells of the spermatogenic series
II. GAMETOGENESIS ● Presence of Charcot-Bottcher Crystals and indentation
● Production of haploid cells involves a unique form of cell division ● Right angle to the Basement Membrane
○ Meiosis: occurs only in the germ cells of the gonads during the ● Moderate number of Mitochondria, lipid droplets, RER and plentiful
formation of gametes (meiotic cell division). SER
● Meiotic cell division of a single diploid germ cell gives rise to four
haploid cells
○ In the male, each of the four gametes undergoes morphological
development into a mature spermatozoon.
● Spermatogenesis
○ Production of male gametes
● Spermiogenesis
○ Maturation and development of male gametes into motile and
mature spermatozoa.
○ The whole process takes approximately 70 days.

A. SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
● Lined by germinal/seminiferous epithelium
○ Complex Stratified epithelium
● Contains the following:
○ Spermatogenic Cell
■ Germ Cells in various stages of development Figure 6. Sertoli Cells
● Spermatogonia (least developed) Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture
● Spermatocytes
● Spermatids
○ Sustentacular Cells of Sertoli
■ Non germ cells that support and nourish the developing
spermatozoa.
○ Leydig Cells
■ Endocrine cells found in the interstitial spaces single or in
groups in the interstitial space between the tubules
● Peritubular Tissue
○ Tunica propria of fibroelastic CT around the tubules
● Presence of Myoid Cells
○ Smooth muscle cells that surround the Seminiferous tubules

Figure 7. Sertoli Cells EM and HP.

EM - shows the intimate relationship of Sertoli cells. The
Spermatogenic series is shown here.
Wheather’s Functional Histology

1. FUNCTIONS OF SERTOLI CELLS

● Mechanical support and protection of the developing sperm cells
● Regulates spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis
○ Active role in the release of sperm
● Phagocytosis of discarded spermatid cytoplasm
○ Digest cytoplasmic fragments
● Steroid production from progesterone
Figure 4. Seminiferous Tubules (LEFT) and Sertoli Cells (RIGHT) ● Production of Androgen Binding-protein (ABP), inhibin in the adult,
Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture and tubular fluid
○ ABP transports testosterone and dihydrotestosterone to the
lumen of the seminiferous tubules
■ Testosterone: essential for the production and maturation of
spermatogenic cells and function
■ Inhibin: feedback inhibitor of the Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH)
(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 2
● Receptor-mediated binding of testosterone and its metabolism to
dihydrotestosterone Table I. PHASES OF SPERMATOGENESIS
● Conduit for passage of nutrients from the blood vascular system to
the spermatocytes & spermatids 1 Spermatocytogenesis Most primitive spermatogonia gives rise to
several successive generations of
C. BLOOD-TESTIS PERMEABILITY BARRIER spermatogonia and yields spermatocytes
● Blood-testis barrier: prevents the exposure of gametes which are
antigenically different from somatic cells to the immune system, thus 2 Meiosis Spermatocytes undergo two maturation
preventing an autoimmune response. divisions which reduce the chromosome
number by half and produce a cluster of
spermatids

3 Spermiogenesis The spermatids undergo a series of

cytological transformation leading to the
formation of spermatozoa

Figure 8. The Sertoli cells from the Blood-Testis Permeability Barrier.

Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture

● Neighboring Sertoli cells: attached by occluding junctions that divide

the seminiferous tubules into 2 compartments and impede the passage
of substances between both compartments:
○ Basal compartment
Figure 10. Summary of Spermatogenesis.
■ Comprises the interstitial space and the spaces occupied by
Source: Dr. Maglinao’s lecture
the spermatogonia
○ Adluminal compartment
■ Comprises the tubule lumen and the intercellular spaces
down to the level of the occluding junctions (OJ).
■ Contains spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa
■ Cytoplasmic residual bodies from spermatids undergo
phagocytosis by the Sertoli cells and are digested by
lysosomal enzymes
■ Myoid cells surround the seminiferous epithelium
■ Sertoli cells regulate all metabolic exchange within the
systemic / adluminal compartment

D. SPERMATOGENIC CELLS
● Sperm cells closely associated between the Sertoli cells
● Several (4-8) layers from the basal lamina to the lumen
● Differentiate progressively starts from the basal region to the lumen
● Most mature and are nearest to the lumen
Figure 11. Diagram of Spermatogenesis
Only the initial spermatogonia divide and produce separate daughter cells.
Once committed to differentiation, the cells of all subsequent decisions stay
connected by intracellular cytoplasmic bridges. Only after they are
separated from the residual bodies can the spermatozoa be considered
isolated cells.
Source: Dr. Maglinao’s lecture

F. SPERMIOGENESIS

Figure 9. Spermatogenic Cells.

Source: Dr. Maglinao’s lecture

E. SPERMATOGENESIS
● Comprises the entire sequence of events by which the spermatogonia
are transformed into spermatozoa

Figure 12. The Mature Sperm.

Source: Dr. Maglinao’s lecture

(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 3
● Slender motile flagellated bodies (55-65 um) stroke)
● Single ejaculation: 200-600 million sperms d. End Piece
● Inactive in the ducts; activated by secretions of accessory genital ● Short, slender, terminal segment
glands ● Contains the axoneme only
● Longer lifespan in the male genital tract than in the female reproductive ● Covered by the flagellar membrane
tract

1. PARTS
1. Head
● Flattened oval body, pear shaped, 4-7 um length
● Made up of the nucleus carrying all the genetic traits
● Acrosomal cap: surrounds the anterior ⅔ of the nucleus;
contains a variety of hydrolytic lysosomal enzymes

Figure 15. Parts of a Mature Sperm. MP- Middle piece; PP- Principal piece;
EP-End piece
Source: Dr. Maglinao’s Lecture

G. INTERSTITIAL CELLS OF LEYDIG

Figure 13A. Mature Sperm
Figure 13B. Acrosomal cap ● Irregularly polyhedral closely packed, occurring in clusters
● Endocrine component of the testis with extensive SER
2. Tail ● Produces testosterone
a. Neck ● Found in the interstitial spaces between seminiferous tubules and
b. Middle piece can be seen singly or in groups
● Core: flagellar axoneme (central pair with 9 doublets) ● Cytoplasmic Crystal of Reinke
● Surrounded by ring of 9 dense coarse fibers arranged ○ Elongated
longitudinally ○ Seen in Leydig cells on electron microscopy
● External to the core: elongated mitochondria arranged in a ○ Found only in adults with unknown function
tightly packed helix (mitochondrial sheath)
○ Provides energy to flagellar movements
● Annulus: fibrous thickening beneath the plasma membrane
○ Prevents the mitochondria from slipping into the
principal piece

Figure 16. Interstitial Cells of Leydig

Figure 14. Middle Piece of the Tail of The Spermatozoa. Mi- mitochondrial
sheath; F - fibers; Ax-Axoneme, An-Annulus; Rb-fibrous ribs

c. Principal Piece
● Makes up most of the tail length; longest portion (40-45 um)
● Contains:
○ Central core (axoneme)
○ 9 coarse fibers
○ Fibrous sheath Figure 17. Cytoplasmic Crystal of Reinke
● Fibrous ribs arranged in a circular manner surrounds the
core III. MALE GENITAL DUCTS
● Two longitudinal fibrils of the core are fused with the ● Excretory ducts of the testis
surrounding ribs ● Transport spermatozoa produced in the testes towards the surface of
○ Form the dorsal and ventral columns extending the body
throughout the length of the principal piece ● Starts from:
○ Divides the principal piece longitudinally into two a. Tubuli recti
functional compartments: b. Rete testis
■ Containing three coarse fibrils c. Ductuli efferentes
■ Containing four coarse fibrils d. Epididymis
○ Asymmetry of the coarse fibrils may account for the e. Vas deferens
powerful stroke of the tail in one direction (power
(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 4
 f. Ejaculatory duct ● Lined by alternating tall ciliated and short non-ciliated cells
g. Urethra ○ Short non-ciliated cells
■ May form cap-like depression in the thickness of the
epithelium giving it an uneven or scalloped-like appearance
■ With microvilli coated with glycocalyx
■ Functions in fluid absorption
● With only motile cilia in the male reproductive system

Figure 18. Male Genital Ducts

A. TUBULI RECTI
● Short straight continuation of the seminiferous tubule
● Simple columnar epithelium lined by Sertoli cells
○ Without spermatogenic cells

Figure 21. Ductuli efferentes

D. EPIDIDYMIS
● Fusion of the coni vasculitis forms a single highly coiled duct
● Site of sperm accumulation, storage & maturity
● Divided into head, body, and tail
● Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with tufts of long
microvilli (stereocilia)
● Presence of smooth musculature gradually increasing in thickness
from proximal to distal
Figure 19. Tubuli Recti ○ Proximal smooth muscle: single layer
■ Slow rhythmic peristalsis for movement of spermatozoa
towards vas deferens
B. RETE TESTIS ○ Distal smooth muscle: three layers (similar to the muscles in the
● Network of anastomosing channels found in the mediastinum vas deferens)
● Cuboidal lining epithelium

Figure 22. Epididymis. SM - single circular layer, B - basal cells

E. VAS DEFERENS / DUCTUS DEFERENS

● Thick-walled muscular tube
● Straight tube, direct continuation of the epididymis
● Conducts spermatozoa from the epididymis to the urethra
● Ampulla: terminal dilatation
○ Spindle-shaped dilatation before it ends into the thin ejaculatory
duct
● 3 Coats
○ Mucosa
○ Muscularis
Figure 20. Rete testis ○ Fibrosa

C. DUCTULI EFFERENTES
● Arises from the rete testis
● Forms 10 conical bodies (coni vasculosi)
● Connects the rete testis to the epididymis
(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 5
 Figure 26. Ejaculatory duct. Shown are the numerous fine thin folds with
glandular recesses and the simple columnar epithelium / pseudostratified
columnar epithelium.

IV. MALE ACCESSORY GLANDS

Figure 23. Vas deferens

1. MUCOSA OF VAS DEFERENS

● Thrown into folds (star-shaped appearance)
● Pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Figure 27. Male accessory glands

Consist of:
● Paired Seminal Vesicles
● Prostate Gland
● Bulbourethral Gland (Cowper’s gland)

A. SEMINAL VESICLE
● Mucosa is highly folded forming irregular chambers (honeycomb
Figure 24. Mucosa of Vas deferens appearance)
● Prominent smooth muscle wall (inner and outer longitudinal)
2. MUSCULARIS OF VAS DEFERENS ● Lining epithelium: pseudostratified non-ciliated
● Thickest coat
● 3 smooth muscle layers
○ Inner longitudinal
○ Middle circular
○ Outer longitudinal

Figure 28. Seminal Vesicle

B. PROSTATE GLAND
● Large unpaired gland surrounding the bladder neck and the first part of
Figure 25. Muscularis of Vas deferens the urethra (prostatic urethra)
● Secretion is thin and milky
○ Rich in citric acid and hydrolytic enzymes
3. ADVENTITIA OF VAS DEFERENS ○ Dependent on androgens for its secretory activities
● Contains fibroelastic connective tissue with numerous blood vessels
and nerves

F. EJACULATORY DUCT
● Short, terminal segment
● Formed at the junction of the ampulla of vas deferens and the
excretory ducts of the seminal vesicle
● Pierces the prostate gland and opens in the urethra
● Thin mucosa thrown into numerous fine folds with glandular recesses
● Simple columnar epithelium/pseudostratified columnar epithelium
○ Changes to transitional epithelium near the urethral opening
● Ejaculatory ducts converge on the urethra, from which spermatozoa
are expelled into the female reproductive tract during copulation

Figure 29. Prostate gland

(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 6
● Branched tubulo-alveolar gland
○ Embedded in a fibromuscular stroma
● With dense fibroelastic capsule and stroma
● Numerous smooth muscle innervated by SNS
○ Partially encloses the posterior and lateral aspect of the
prostate gland

Figure 33. Zones of the prostate gland

2. PROSTATE CANCER
● Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: common disease of the prostate gland
● Prostate Cancer / Prostate Malignancy
Figure 30. Prostate gland
○ Most common type of cancer in man
○ 2nd most frequent cause of cancer related death in men
● Folded epithelium dividing the lumen into compartments
○ Malignant (cancerous) tumor begins in the prostate gland
● Secretory alveoli lined by simple columnar or pseudostratified
○ Grows very slowly and may not cause problems for years;
columnar non-ciliated epithelium
advanced cancer responds to treatment
● Prostatic concretions/corpora amylacea: prime characteristic
○ Peripheral zone: most common site for adenocarcinoma
feature of the prostate gland in older individuals

Figure 31. Higher magnification of prostate gland

Figure 34. Prostate cancer

[WHEATER’S] COMMON PROSTATIC DISEASE (page 347)

Figure 32. Corpora amylacea seen in the prostate gland of older individuals The most common disease of the prostate is called benign prostatic
hyperplasia and occurs in men over 50. The prostatic glands around the
1. ZONES OF PROSTATE GLAND urethra (transition zone) become greatly increased in size and number and
the gland lumina become distended by secretions and corpora amylacea.
● Central zone
○ 25% of the gland
At the same time, the stromal smooth muscle fibers become greatly
○ Surrounds ejaculatory ducts
enlarged. This increase in bulk enlarges the prostate gland as a whole,
○ 2.5% of prostate CA
and compresses the urethra, leading to interference with bladder
● Peripheral zone
emptying.
○ 70% of the gland
○ Surrounds the distal urethra
○ 70-80% of prostate CA C. BULBOURETHRAL GLAND
● Transition zone ● Also known as Cowper’s gland
○ Surrounds the proximal prostatic urethra ● Pair of pea sized bodies lying posterolateral to the membranous
○ Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) urethra
■ Occurs in men over 50 ● Compound tubulo-alveolar gland
■ Compresses the urethra and interferes with bladder ● Lining epithelium: simple columnar epithelium
emptying ● Secrete mucus into the urethra for epithelial lubrication
● Anterior fibromuscular stroma

(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 7
 Figure 35. Bulbourethral gland

V. PENIS
● “Organ of copulation” Figure 38. Penis erection
● Made up of three cylindrical erectile tissues
○ Paired corpora cavernosa VI. SEMEN
○ Single corpus spongiosum
● Product of ejaculation
● Covered by a condensed fibroelastic tissue (tunica albuginea)
○ Consists of spermatozoa & seminal fluid
○ Thickest around the cavernous bodies
● Derived mostly from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland
○ Separated incompletely by the pectiniform septum
● 3.5 mL containing 50-150 million spermatozoa/mL
● Desquamated cells, prostatic concretions, etc.
● Fructose & Citrate: metabolites for motility
● By the time of ejaculation, spermatozoa have matured and acquired
motility
○ Still remain incapable of fertilizing an ovum until after
undergoing a process called capacitation within the female
genital tract

Figure 36. Penis

● Erectile tissues
○ Consist of cavernous sinuses
○ Supported by trabeculae (fibroelastic tissue with muscles)
● Vascular sinuses are directly supplied by helicine arteries/arterioles

Figure 39. Semen

VII. APA REFERENCES

Maglinao, N. (2019). Male Reproductive System [Pre-recorded file]
Young, B., O’Dowd, G., & Woodford, P. (2014). Wheater's Functional
Histology: A Text and Colour Atlas (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA:
Elsevier, Inc.

VIII. APPENDIX

Figure 37. Helicine arteries

● Erection: parasympathetic NS
○ Dilatation of the helicine arteries
○ Engorgement of the cavernous sinuses
■ Compresses the venous outflow
● Ejaculation: sympathetic NS
○ Constriction of the helicine arteries
■ Regain muscular tone
■ Decreased blood flow to the cavernous sinuses
■ Releasing compression of venous outflow
● Detumescence: end of excitement

(TWG) SANTOS, SARROSA, SEVILLA, SINGSON (TEG) SIA, SOLOMON, SOMERA, SUPE, SYFU 8