Kfo181 Maennl Go
Kfo181 Maennl Go
Kfo181 Maennl Go
Urethra Epididymis
Scrotum Testis
Male mammals have two testicles which are components of both the reproductive and the
endocrine system. Therefore, the two main functions of the testicles are: producing sperm
(approximately 1 million per hour) and male sex hormones (e.g. testosterone).
TESTIS
Seminiferous tubules Rete testis Rete testis
Leydig cells
Meiosis: During the first meiotic division, one primary spermatocyte gives rise to two
secondary spermatocytes. During the second meiotic division, each of the two
secondary spermatocytes gives rise to two round spermatids.
Spermiogenesis
elongated
Spermatids, 1n1c
round
Meiosis
Spermatocytes II
1n2c
Spermatocytes I, 2n4c
Type B
Mitosis
Spermatogonia 2n2c
Type A
Each cell division – from spermatogonium to spermatid – is incomplete, as germ cells
remain connected to each other by intercellular bridges. This is a prerequisite for
synchronous development.
I II
Spermatogonia type A-pale (Ap), type A-dark (Ad) and type-B (B); Primary spermatocytes in preleptotene (pL), leptotene (L), zygotene (Z)
and pachytene (P); Secondary spermatocytes (SII); Spermatids in step 1 to step 8; Residual bodies (Rk); Firs (I) and second (II) meiotic
division. Bergmann M, Spermatogenese. From: Andrologie. Krause W, Weidner W, eds., Ferdinand Enke, Stuttgart, 1998.
SPERM
HYPOTHALAMUS
GnRH
PITUITARY Inhibin
Testosterone ABP
Inhibiting
Activating SPERMATOGENESIS
Hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis is organized as control circuit with a
negative feed-back mechanism involving hypothalamus, pituitary, and testis.
Specific neurons of the hypothalamus synthesize gonadotropin releasing hormone
(GnRH) which induces the production of two hormones within the pituitary,
luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). While high
pulse rate of GnRH release (1 impulse per 1 hour) results in the production of LH,
low pulse rate of GnRH release (1 impulse per 2 hours) results in the production
of FSH. Within the testis, LH causes synthesis of testosterone by intertubular
Leydig cells which negatively influences hormone release in hypothalamus and
pituitary. By contrast, FSH acts on intratubular Sertoli cells. It induces the
production of androgen-binding protein (ABP) by means of which testosterone
can pass the Sertoli-Sertoli junctional complexes, as well as the production of
activin and inhibin by Sertoli cells which both influences hormone release in
hypothalamus and pituitary.
REGULATION OF SPERMATOGENESIS
EPIGENETIC GENETIC
DNA PROTAMINES
METHYLATION
TRANSLATIONAL
REGULATION
TRANSCRIPTIONAL
HISTONE REGULATION
MODIFICATION:
- ACETYLATION
- METHYLATION HISTONES
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
DUCTULI EFFERENTES AND EPIDIDYMIS
The columnar epithelium of the ductuli efferentes is underlined by smooth muscles and consists of two
cell types: absorptive cells with microvilli and cells with kinocilia responsible for the transport of still
immotile spermatozoa and estrogen dependent fluid resorption. As the height of these two cell types is
variable, the lumen shows a characteristic wavy outline.
Ductus deferens:
Three-layered lamina muscularis
and two-layered epithelium
consisting of basal cells (B) and
epithelial cells (E)
with stereocilia (microvilli)
The two deferent ducts (ductus deferentes) or vasa deferentia – each about 30 cm long – connect right
and left epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts. The deferent ducts can be divided into pars funiculi
spermatici, pars inguinalis, pars pelvina, ampulla ductus deferentis, and ductus ejaculatorius which
opens within the prostate into the urethra (colliculus seminalis).
The mucosa forms longitudinal folds and is lined by a columnar epithelium. The lamina muscularis is
up to 1.5 mm thick and consists of a thick circular layer of smooth muscles between inner and outer
longitudinal layers. The muscularis is covered by an adventitia. During ejaculation, smooth muscles
within the wall of the ductus deferens contract reflexively and propel the sperm forward into the urethra.
The prominent muscularis, in addition, makes the ductus deferens palpable within the spermatic cord.
ACCESSORY SEX GLANDS
The male reproductive system includes three different
accessory sex glands, namely a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair
of bulbourethral glands and the prostate.
Transition
zone
The secretory cells contain granules which among other molecules produce prostate-specific
acid phosphatase. The secrete, therefore, is acidic (pH 6.4). It constitutes approximately 30 %
of the seminal fluid and contains many enzymes, as well as citric acid, prostaglandins that
stimulate smooth muscles of the female genital tract to enhance the migration of sperm, zinc
which is involved in the testosterone metabolism, spermine which accounts for the typical
smell of the seminal fluid and fibrinolysin which liquifies the semen. Secretion is regulated
by dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
PENIS
Corpus spongiosus
with urethra Blood flow into vena
dorsalis profunda stops
Erection