The epithelium of the tubule consists of a type of sustentacular cells known as Sertoli cells, which

are tall, columnar type cells that line the tubule.

In between the Sertoli cells are spermatogenic cells, which differentiate through meiosis to sperm
cells. Sertoli cells function to nourish the developing sperm cells. They secrete androgen-binding
protein, a binding protein which increases the concentration of testosterone.

There are two types: convoluted and straight, convoluted toward the lateral side, and straight as the
tubule comes medially to form ducts that will exit the testis.

The seminiferous tubules are formed from the testis cords that develop from the primitive gonadal
cords, formed from the gonadal ridge.

Function
Main article: Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis, the process for producing spermatozoa, takes place in the seminiferous tubules.
During spermatogenesis, the DNA of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules is subject to
damage from such sources as reactive oxygen species.[1] The genomic integrity of spermatogenic
cells is protected by DNA repair processes.[2] De ciencies in the enzymes employed in these repair
processes may lead to infertility.[2]

Additional images

•
Seminiferous tubule (right) with sperm (black, tiny, ovoid). H&E stain.
•
Longitudinal section through the left side of the scrotum and the left testis (Seminiferous
tubules visible in center, but not labeled).
•
Seminiferous tubule (transverse section).
•
Photomicrograph of section through rat testis, showing seminiferous tubules.
See also
• Leydig cells
References
1.
Mahfouz R, Sharma R, Thiyagarajan A, Kale V, Gupta S, Sabanegh E, Agarwal A (2010). "Semen
characteristics and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with low and high levels of seminal
reactive oxygen species". Fertil. Steril. 94 (6): 2141–6. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.12.030.
PMID 20117780.
fi
 1. Gunes S, Al-Sadaan M, Agarwal A (2015). "Spermatogenesis, DNA damage and DNA repair
mechanisms in male infertility". Reprod. Biomed. Online. 31 (3): 309–19. doi:10.1016/
j.rbmo.2015.06.010. PMID 26206278.
External links
• Histology image: 17802loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
• Image
• Diagram Archived 2007-02-19 at the Wayback Machine

• v
• t
• e
Male reproductive system
Internal Seminal tract

Testicles
• Layers
◦ Tunica vaginalis
◦ Tunica albuginea
◦ Tunica vasculosa
• Appendix
• Mediastinum
• Lobules
• Septa
• Leydig cell
• Sertoli cell
• Blood–testis barrier
Spermatogenesis
• Spermatogonium
• Spermatocytogenesis
• Spermatocyte
• Spermatidogenesis
• Spermatid
• Spermiogenesis
• Spermatozoon
Other
• Seminiferous tubules
◦ Tubuli seminiferi recti
◦ Rete testis
◦ Efferent ducts
• Epididymides
◦ Appendix
◦ Inferior ligament
◦ Superior ligament
◦ Stereocilia
• Paradidymis
• Spermatic cords
◦ Pampiniform plexus
• Vasa deferentia
◦ Ampulla
• Ejaculatory ducts
• Testicular arteries
• Testicular veins

Accessory glands
• Seminal vesicles
◦ Excretory duct
• Prostate
◦ Urethral crest
◦ Seminal colliculus
◦ Ejaculatory ducts
◦ Sinus
◦ Ducts
◦ Utricle
• Bulbourethral glands
 External Penis
• Root
◦ Crura
◦ Bulb
◦ Fundiform ligament
◦ Suspensory ligament
• Body
◦ Corpora cavernosa
◦ Trabeculae of corpora cavernosa
◦ Corpus spongiosum
◦ Trabeculae of corpus spongiosum
• Glans
◦ Foreskin
◦ Frenulum
◦ Corona
◦ Septum glandis
• Fascia
◦ Super cial
◦ Deep
• Tunica albuginea
• Septum
• Raphe
• Arteries
◦ Arteries of bulb
◦ Dorsal arteries
◦ Deep arteries
◦ Internal pudendal artery
• Veins
◦ Dorsal veins
◦ Vein of bulb
◦ Internal pudendal veins
• Nerves
◦ Dorsal nerves
◦ Pudendal nerves
• Urethra
◦ Internal urethral sphincter
◦ Internal urethral ori ce
◦ Pre-prostatic
◦ Prostatic
◦ Intermediate
◦ Spongy
◦ External sphincter muscle
• Navicular fossa
◦ Lacuna magna
• External urethral ori ce
• Lacunae of Morgagni
• Urethral glands
Scrotum
• Layers
◦ Skin
◦ Dartos fascia
◦ External spermatic fascia
◦ Cremaster
fi
fi
fi
 • Layers
◦ Tunica vaginalis
◦ Tunica albuginea
◦ Tunica vasculosa
• Appendix
Testicles • Mediastinum
• Lobules
• Septa
• Leydig cell
• Sertoli cell
• Blood–testis barrier
Spermatogenesi • Spermatogonium
s • Spermatocytogenesis
• Spermatocyte
• Spermatidogenesis
• Spermatid
• Spermiogenesis
• Spermatozoon
Other • Seminiferous tubules
◦ Tubuli seminiferi recti
◦ Rete testis
◦ Efferent ducts
• Epididymides
◦ Appendix
◦ Inferior ligament
◦ Superior ligament
◦ Stereocilia
• Paradidymis
• Spermatic cords
◦ Pampiniform plexus
• Vasa deferentia
◦ Ampulla
• Ejaculatory ducts
• Testicular arteries
• Testicular veins
 • Root
◦ Crura
◦ Bulb
◦ Fundiform ligament
◦ Suspensory ligament
• Body
◦ Corpora cavernosa
◦ Trabeculae of corpora cavernosa
◦ Corpus spongiosum
◦ Trabeculae of corpus spongiosum
• Glans
◦ Foreskin
◦ Frenulum
◦ Corona
◦ Septum glandis
• Fascia
◦ Super cial
◦ Deep
• Tunica albuginea
• Septum
• Raphe
• Arteries
Penis ◦ Arteries of bulb
◦ Dorsal arteries
◦ Deep arteries
◦ Internal pudendal artery
• Veins
◦ Dorsal veins
◦ Vein of bulb
◦ Internal pudendal veins
• Nerves
◦ Dorsal nerves
◦ Pudendal nerves
• Urethra
◦ Internal urethral sphincter
◦ Internal urethral ori ce
◦ Pre-prostatic
◦ Prostatic
◦ Intermediate
◦ Spongy
◦ External sphincter muscle
• Navicular fossa
◦ Lacuna magna
• External urethral ori ce
• Lacunae of Morgagni
• Urethral glands
fi
fi
fi
 Scrotu • Layers
m ◦ Skin
◦ Dartos fascia
◦ External spermatic fascia
◦ Cremaster
◦ Cremasteric fascia
◦ Internal spermatic fascia
• Ligament
• Raphe
• Septum
• Arteries
◦ Anterior scrotal arteries
◦ Posterior scrotal arteries
• Nerves
◦ Anterior scrotal nerves
◦ Posterior scrotal nerves
◦ Perineal nerve
• Posterior scrotal veins

Authority • Terminologia Anatomica

control
databases

Categories:
• Testicle
• Scrotum
•

The epithelium of the tubule consists of a type of sustentacular cells known as Sertoli cells, which
are tall, columnar type cells that line the tubule.

In between the Sertoli cells are spermatogenic cells, which differentiate through meiosis to sperm
cells. Sertoli cells function to nourish the developing sperm cells. They secrete androgen-binding
protein, a binding protein which increases the concentration of testosterone.

There are two types: convoluted and straight, convoluted toward the lateral side, and straight as the
tubule comes medially to form ducts that will exit the testis.

The seminiferous tubules are formed from the testis cords that develop from the primitive gonadal
cords, formed from the gonadal ridge.

Function
Main article: Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis, the process for producing spermatozoa, takes place in the seminiferous tubules.
During spermatogenesis, the DNA of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules is subject to
damage from such sources as reactive oxygen species.[1] The genomic integrity of spermatogenic
cells is protected by DNA repair processes.[2] De ciencies in the enzymes employed in these repair
processes may lead to infertility.[2]

Additional images

•
Seminiferous tubule (right) with sperm (black, tiny, ovoid). H&E stain.
•
Longitudinal section through the left side of the scrotum and the left testis (Seminiferous
tubules visible in center, but not labeled).
•
Seminiferous tubule (transverse section).
•
Photomicrograph of section through rat testis, showing seminiferous tubules.
See also
• Leydig cells
References
1.
Mahfouz R, Sharma R, Thiyagarajan A, Kale V, Gupta S, Sabanegh E, Agarwal A (2010). "Semen
characteristics and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with low and high levels of seminal
reactive oxygen species". Fertil. Steril. 94 (6): 2141–6. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.12.030.
PMID 20117780.

1. Gunes S, Al-Sadaan M, Agarwal A (2015). "Spermatogenesis, DNA damage and DNA repair
mechanisms in male infertility". Reprod. Biomed. Online. 31 (3): 309–19. doi:10.1016/
j.rbmo.2015.06.010. PMID 26206278.
External links
• Histology image: 17802loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
• Image
• Diagram Archived 2007-02-19 at the Wayback Machine

• v
• t
• e
Male reproductive system
fi
Internal Seminal tract

Testicles
• Layers
◦ Tunica vaginalis
◦ Tunica albuginea
◦ Tunica vasculosa
• Appendix
• Mediastinum
• Lobules
• Septa
• Leydig cell
• Sertoli cell
• Blood–testis barrier
Spermatogenesis
• Spermatogonium
• Spermatocytogenesis
• Spermatocyte
• Spermatidogenesis
• Spermatid
• Spermiogenesis
• Spermatozoon
Other
• Seminiferous tubules
◦ Tubuli seminiferi recti
◦ Rete testis
◦ Efferent ducts
• Epididymides
◦ Appendix
◦ Inferior ligament
◦ Superior ligament
◦ Stereocilia
• Paradidymis
• Spermatic cords
◦ Pampiniform plexus
• Vasa deferentia
◦ Ampulla
• Ejaculatory ducts
• Testicular arteries
• Testicular veins

Accessory glands
• Seminal vesicles
◦ Excretory duct
• Prostate
◦ Urethral crest
◦ Seminal colliculus
◦ Ejaculatory ducts
◦ Sinus
◦ Ducts
◦ Utricle
• Bulbourethral glands
 External Penis
• Root
◦ Crura
◦ Bulb
◦ Fundiform ligament
◦ Suspensory ligament
• Body
◦ Corpora cavernosa
◦ Trabeculae of corpora cavernosa
◦ Corpus spongiosum
◦ Trabeculae of corpus spongiosum
• Glans
◦ Foreskin
◦ Frenulum
◦ Corona
◦ Septum glandis
• Fascia
◦ Super cial
◦ Deep
• Tunica albuginea
• Septum
• Raphe
• Arteries
◦ Arteries of bulb
◦ Dorsal arteries
◦ Deep arteries
◦ Internal pudendal artery
• Veins
◦ Dorsal veins
◦ Vein of bulb
◦ Internal pudendal veins
• Nerves
◦ Dorsal nerves
◦ Pudendal nerves
• Urethra
◦ Internal urethral sphincter
◦ Internal urethral ori ce
◦ Pre-prostatic
◦ Prostatic
◦ Intermediate
◦ Spongy
◦ External sphincter muscle
• Navicular fossa
◦ Lacuna magna
• External urethral ori ce
• Lacunae of Morgagni
• Urethral glands
Scrotum
• Layers
◦ Skin
◦ Dartos fascia
◦ External spermatic fascia
◦ Cremaster
fi
fi
fi
 • Layers
◦ Tunica vaginalis
◦ Tunica albuginea
◦ Tunica vasculosa
• Appendix
Testicles • Mediastinum
• Lobules
• Septa
• Leydig cell
• Sertoli cell
• Blood–testis barrier
Spermatogenesi • Spermatogonium
s • Spermatocytogenesis
• Spermatocyte
• Spermatidogenesis
• Spermatid
• Spermiogenesis
• Spermatozoon
Other • Seminiferous tubules
◦ Tubuli seminiferi recti
◦ Rete testis
◦ Efferent ducts
• Epididymides
◦ Appendix
◦ Inferior ligament
◦ Superior ligament
◦ Stereocilia
• Paradidymis
• Spermatic cords
◦ Pampiniform plexus
• Vasa deferentia
◦ Ampulla
• Ejaculatory ducts
• Testicular arteries
• Testicular veins
 • Root
◦ Crura
◦ Bulb
◦ Fundiform ligament
◦ Suspensory ligament
• Body
◦ Corpora cavernosa
◦ Trabeculae of corpora cavernosa
◦ Corpus spongiosum
◦ Trabeculae of corpus spongiosum
• Glans
◦ Foreskin
◦ Frenulum
◦ Corona
◦ Septum glandis
• Fascia
◦ Super cial
◦ Deep
• Tunica albuginea
• Septum
• Raphe
• Arteries
Penis ◦ Arteries of bulb
◦ Dorsal arteries
◦ Deep arteries
◦ Internal pudendal artery
• Veins
◦ Dorsal veins
◦ Vein of bulb
◦ Internal pudendal veins
• Nerves
◦ Dorsal nerves
◦ Pudendal nerves
• Urethra
◦ Internal urethral sphincter
◦ Internal urethral ori ce
◦ Pre-prostatic
◦ Prostatic
◦ Intermediate
◦ Spongy
◦ External sphincter muscle
• Navicular fossa
◦ Lacuna magna
• External urethral ori ce
• Lacunae of Morgagni
• Urethral glands
fi
fi
fi
 Scrotu • Layers
m ◦ Skin
◦ Dartos fascia
◦ External spermatic fascia
◦ Cremaster
◦ Cremasteric fascia
◦ Internal spermatic fascia
• Ligament
• Raphe
• Septum
• Arteries
◦ Anterior scrotal arteries
◦ Posterior scrotal arteries
• Nerves
◦ Anterior scrotal nerves
◦ Posterior scrotal nerves
◦ Perineal nerve
• Posterior scrotal veins

Authority • Terminologia Anatomica

control
databases

Categories:
• Testicle
• Scrotum
•
•