MICRO ANATOMY

HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

OUTLINE III. SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES

I. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
II. TESTES
• Convoluted tubules lined with a complex stratified
III. SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
IV. SERTOLI CELLS epithelium
V. GENITAL DUCTS • Terminates in short segments, known as straight tubules
VI. PENIS or tubuli recti to the rete testis.
VII. MEDICAL APPLICATION About 10-20 efferent ductules connect the rete testis to
VIII. APPENDICES the head of the epididymis.
Each seminiferous tubule is lined with a complex
specialized stratified epithelium called germinal or
spermatogenic epithelium.
Spermatogenic epithelium consists of:
o Sertoli Cells
o Spermatogenic Lineage
I. MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Male reproductive system consists of the
o Testes
o Genital ducts:
▪ INTRATESTICULAR: tubuli recti, rete
testes, ductuli efferentes
▪ EXCRETORY: ductus epididymis, ductus
(vas) deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra
o Accessory Glands: seminal vesicles, prostate,
bulbourethral gland and Penis.
• Testes produce sperm but also contain endocrine cells
such as TESTOSTERONE. Testosterone is important for
spermatogenesis and sexual differentiation.
• Genital ducts and accessory glands produce secretions
required for sperm activity and contract to propel
spermatozoa.
II. TESTES LAYERS

• Male gonads, paired organs lying in the scrotal sac 1. Tunic of fibrous connective tissue - consists of
• Responsible for production of male gametes, several layers of fibroblasts
spermatozoa and secretion of male sex hormones 2. Basal lamina - adhering to it are flattened cells,
• Surrounded by thick capsule of collagenous connective myoid cells
tissue, the tunica albuginea 3. Germinal epithelium – consists of two types of cells:
• Suspended in the scrotum and carries serous sac, the sertoli cells and cells that constitute the spermatogenic
tunica vaginalis derived from the investing layer of lineage
peritoneum
• Divided by collagenous septa into about 250 testicular The Germinal or Seminiferous Epithelium
lobules each with one to four highly convoluted tubes, the
seminiferous tubules
Develop retroperitoneally in the dorsal wall of the
embryonic abdominal cavity.
Permissive temperature of about 34 Celsius is maintained
in the scrotal sac. Each testicular artery is surrounded by
pampiniform venous plexus containing cooler blood from
testis, which draw heat from arterial blood by
countercurrent heat exchange system.
Contraction or relaxation of Dartos Muscle move the
testes away from or closer to the body.

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HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

IV. SERTOLI CELLS

• Tall “columnar” epithelial cells that nourish the

spermatogenic cells.
• Rest on the basement, cytoplasm extends to the lumen
of the tubules.
• Fills the narrow spaces between the spermatogenic
series.
• Elongated pyramidal cells with oval nucleus with
numerous unfoldings and prominent nucleolus.
• Cytoplasm: contains abundant SER, some RER, well
developed golgi complex, numerous mitochondria and
lysosomes.
• Adjacent cells bound together by occluding junction
forming the blood testis barrier that prevents
autoimmune attacks against the unique spermatogenic
cells.
B. Primary Spermatocytes
• Spherical cells with Euchromatic nuclei
• Recognized by their copious cytoplasm and large nuclei
containing coarse clumps or thin threads of chromatin
• IN EM, dividing cells can be seen
• Enters 1st meiotic division
• Largest cells of the series and are characterized by
presence of chromosomes in various stages of the coiling
process within their nuclei.
C. Secondary Spermatocytes
• less commonly seen in sections of the testes
• Short-lived cells, remain in the interphase very briefly
and quickly enters the second meiotic division

D. Spermatids
• Cells that result from the division of the secondary
spermatocytes
• Undergo long maturation process known as
spermiogenesis
• Small size cells, nuclei with areas of condensed
chromatin and less granular cytoplasm

Spermiogenesis
• Final phase of Sperm Production
• No cell division occurs here
FUNCTIONS OF SERTOLI CELLS • Complex process of differentiation that includes:
1. Support, protection and nutritional regulation of the 1. Formation of acrosome
developing spermatozoa 2. Condensation and elongation of the nucleus
2. Phagocytosis – thru action of lysosomes 3. Development of the flagellum
3. Secretion – fluid used for sperm transport, ABP 4. Loss of the much of the cytoplasm
(Androgen Binding Protein), converts testosterone to • End result: formation of spermatozoon
estradiol, and inhibin
4. Production of the anti-mullerian hormone or Mullerian 4 Phases of Spermiogenesis accdg to Junqueira:
Inhibiting Substance 1. Golgi Phase
I. Cause regression of the embryonic Mullerian 2. Cap Phase
duct or regression of manifestation of female 3. Acrosome Phase
reproductive organs. 4. Maturation Phase

E. Spermatozoa
Cells of the Spermatogenic Series • Extremely elongated cell (about 65 um long)
A. Spermatogonia (germ cells) • Main components: head, neck, and tail
• Found in basal layer
• Of two types: stem cells (Type A spermatogonia)
spermatogonia committed to meiosis (Type B
spermatogonia)

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HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

INTERSTITIAL TISSUE
• Space between seminiferous tubules
• Filled with accumulations of connective tissue, nerves,
blood and lymphatic vessels

LEYDIG CELLS or INTERSTITIAL CELLS

• Principal cell type
• Rounded or polygonal in shape with central nucleus
and an eosinophilic cytoplasm rich in small lipid
droplets
• Occur simply or in clumps embedded in the rich
plexus of blood and lymph capillaries
• Produce the male hormone TESTOSTERONE

V. GENITAL DUCTS

INTRATESTICULAR GENITAL DUCTS

All of which carry spermatozoa and liquid from the
seminiferous tubules to the duct of the epididymis.
1. Tubuli Recti
• Aka Straight tubules
• Recognized by gradual loss of spermatogenic cells
• Initial segment contains only Sertoli cell, then main
segments consisting of cuboidal epithelium
supported by dense CT.
• Empty into rete testes

MAIN COMPONENTS OF SPERMATOZOON 2. Rete Testes

1. Head • Contained within the mediastinum, thickening of
• Basic structural feature, consists primarily by condensed tunica albuginea
nuclear chromatin • Highly anastomotic channels lined with cuboidal
• Flattened, pear-shaped epithelium with surface microvilli and a single
• Anterior two thirds of nuclear, surrounded by acrosomal flagellum
cap-flattened membrane-bound vesicle containing
glycoproteins and hydrolytic enzymes principally
hyaluronidase
2. Neck
• Very short segment connecting the head with tail
• Contains vestiges of centrioles, that give rise to axoneme
of the flagellum, surrounded by several condensed
fibrous rings
3. Tail – divided into middle piece, principal piece and
end piece
a. Middle piece - proximal part, thickened portion
containing aggregates of mitochondria
- consists of flagellar axonemes surrounded
by fibrous CT around longitudinally 3. Ductuli Efferent
b. Principal piece – constitute most of the tail length • Convoluted ducts that connect rete testes and
c. End piece – short tapering portion of the tail containing epididymis
axoneme only • Lined by single layer of alternating tall columnar
• Both principal piece and end piece are ciliated and short columnar non ciliated
responsible for flagellar motion via interaction • Surrounded by a single circularly arranged smooth
among microtubules, ATP and dynein muscle

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HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

2. Ductus deferens
• Thick-walled, muscular tube consisting of inner and
outer longitudinal layers separated by a circular layer
of smooth muscle
• Lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with
stereocilia
• Forms part of the spermatic cord
• Has a distal dilated portion called ampulla that
receives duct draining the seminal vesicle forming
the short ejaculatory duct

EXCRETORY GENITAL DUCTS

1. Epididymis
• Single, highly coiled tube with surrounding
connective tissue and blood vessels
• Tube of smooth muscle lined by pseudostratified
columnar epithelium with stereocilia
• Function: accumulation, storage, and maturation of
spermatozoa
Important changes in the sperm while passing through
epididymis include:
o Competence for independent forward motility
o Maturation of the acrosome
o Biochemical and organizational changes within
the cell membrane 3. Ejaculatory duct
• Segment entering the prostate
• Ductus deferens + duct of seminal vesicle
4. Urethra
• Prostatic urethrae: lined by transitional epithelium
receives the ductus deferens
• Penile urethrae: lined by stratified or pseudo
stratified columnar epithelium

ACCESSORY GLANDS
1. Seminal Vesicle
• Consists of 2 highly tortous tubes, each is a complex
of glandular diverticulum of associated ductus
deferens
• Viscide, yellow secretion
• Has folded mucosa lined with pseudostratified
columnar epithelium rich in secretory granules
• Secretion: alkaline fluid containing spermatozoa-
activating substances such as fructose, inositol,
citrate and several proteins and Vitamin C (about
half of the total volume of seminal fluid = 70%
volume)
• Lamina propria: rich in elastic fibers and surrounded
by thin layer of smooth muscle, supplied by
sympathetic nervous system.

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HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

• Epithelium: psedostratified columnar or cuboidal

with basally located nuclei and poorly stained
cytoplasm
• Secretory product: thin and milky rich in citric acid
and hydrolytic enzymes which makes up about half
of the seminal fluid volume
3 Groups of Glands
1. Main prostatic glands – constitute the bulk of the
organ, occupy the peripheral 2/3 and drain via long
ducts
2. Submucosal glands – occupy the inner third of the
gland drain via short ducts into urethral sinuses
3. Mucosal glands – innermost group of glands very
small, not usually visible to in low magnification;
open directly into the urethra over its whole surface

3. Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands)

• Located proximal to the membranous portion of
urethra
• Tubuloalveolar glands lined with mucus secreting
simple cuboidal epithelium
• Secreted mucus is clear and acts as a lubricant

VI. PENIS
• Consist mainly of 3 cylindrical masses of erectile
tissues: corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
• Covered by resistant layer of dense connective tissue
2. Prostate • Epithelium: penile urethra is lined with pseudo
• Large gland which surrounds the bladder neck and stratified columnar but becomes stratified
the first part of the urethra squamous in the glans penis
• Tubulo alveolar glands whose ducts empty into • Glands of Littre: found through out the length of the
prostatic urethra urethra
• Invested by fibro elastic capsule from which • Arterial supply: internal pudendal arteries
incomplete septa extend in toward the central
stroma dividing the glands into poorly defined
lobules
Three Major Zones:
o Transition Zone – 5% of prostate volume,
superior portion of urethra and contains
periurethral mucosal glands.
o Central Zone – 25%
o Peripheral Zone – 70%, contains prostate’s main
glands with longer ducts.

VII. MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

1. HYDROCELE – excessive accumulation of serous fluid in
one or both sides of the scrotal sac; most common cause
of scrotal swelling.
2. CRYPTORCHIDISM - failure of one or both testes to
descend from the abdomen

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HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

3. TESTICULAR CANCER – involves GERM CELL TUMOR only

appear after puberty and more likely to develop in men
with untreated cryptorchidism.
4. OLIGOSPERMIA - decreased semen quality, major cause
of male infertility.
5. ORCHITIS - inflammation of the testis produced by
infective agents and occur secondarily to UTI or STP such
as Chlamydia or Neisseria gonorrhea.
6. PROSTATE PROBLEMS:
a. CHRONIC PROSTATITIS
b. NODULAR HYPERPLASIA OR BENIGN PROSTATIC
HYPERTROPHY
c. PROSTATE CANCER – usually in PERIPHERAL
ZONE.
7. ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION OR IMPOTENCE – results from
diabetes, anxiety, vascular disease, or nerve damaging
during prostatectomy.

VIII. APPENDICES

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HISTOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (2ND SEMESTER) | (DR. PERALDO) | (01-07-20)

REFERENCES:
Dr. Peraldo’s PPT Lecture
Junqueira’s Basic Histology

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