Male Reproductive System Overview
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Questions and Answers

What primary hormone is produced by the testes that promotes the development of male external genitals?

  • Oestrogen
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
  • Testosterone (correct)
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

    • Which structure's degeneration leads to the development of male internal anatomy?

  • Mesonephric duct
  • Paramesonephric duct (correct)
  • Urogenital sinus
  • Primordial germ cells

    • What is the primary purpose of the reproductive system?

  • To regulate body temperature
  • To pass genetic information from generation to generation (correct)
  • To aid in digestion
  • To produce energy for daily activities

    • Which of the following is NOT a main physiological function of the male reproductive system?

    <p>Digestion of nutrients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary functional unit of the testes?

    <p>Seminiferous tubules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the SRY gene encode that is crucial for male development?

    <p>Testis Determining Factor (TDF)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What anatomical feature is characterized by a fibrous capsule that covers the testes?

    <p>Tunica albuginea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone is primarily involved in the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males?

    <p>Testosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the epididymis?

    <p>Storage and maturation of sperm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long does the journey of sperm through the epididymis take to become motile?

    <p>20 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure connects the ductus deferens and the urethra?

    <p>Ejaculatory duct</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the length of the ductus deferens?

    <p>45 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What substance enhances sperm motility in seminal fluid?

    <p>Fructose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of epithelium lines the ductus deferens?

    <p>Stratified epithelium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which gland secretes fluid that is mixed with sperm to form semen?

    <p>Seminal gland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the length of the spongy urethra in males?

    <p>15 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of spermatogenesis?

    <p>To produce male gametes (sperm)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what age does spermatogenesis begin in males?

    <p>Around age 14</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating the rate of spermatogenesis?

    <p>Testosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of Sertoli cells in sperm development?

    <p>To produce inhibin and androgen binding protein</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event marks the transition of a primary spermatocyte to a secondary spermatocyte?

    <p>Meiosis I</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What commonly causes erectile dysfunction in men aged 40-70?

    <p>A combination of physical and psychological factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition is often falsely believed to be the sole cause of erectile dysfunction?

    <p>Performance anxiety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was sildenafil initially developed to treat?

    <p>Angina</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the bulbo-urethral glands?

    <p>Neutralizing residual acidic urine and lubricating the penis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of seminal fluid is produced by the prostate?

    <p>20-30%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of semen is responsible for providing fructose to sperm?

    <p>Seminal vesicle fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does zinc play in prostate fluid?

    <p>Breaking down semen clots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the seminal vesicle located in relation to other structures?

    <p>Between the bladder and rectum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of the seminal vesicle's secretion?

    <p>Contributing to ejaculate volume</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes semen?

    <p>A viscid whitish fluid containing spermatozoa and secretions from accessory glands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What anatomical feature guides the descent of the testicles during development?

    <p>Gubernaculum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average volume of normal ejaculation?

    <p>2-5 ml</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What allows for the activation of sperm?

    <p>Milky fluid from seminal vesicles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of inhibin in male reproductive physiology?

    <p>To inhibit FSH secretion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the release of inhibin change in response to sperm maturation speed?

    <p>Inhibin levels decrease with slower sperm maturation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone is primarily responsible for the initiation and first stages of spermatogenesis?

    <p>Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of testosterone in the epididymis?

    <p>Spermatozoa maturation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do Leydig cells primarily produce?

    <p>Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a primary sexual characteristic developed by testosterone?

    <p>Hair growth and distribution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do androgens play during sexual differentiation and development?

    <p>They are responsible for sexual differentiation in utero</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is androgen-binding protein (ABP) primarily secreted by?

    <p>Sertoli cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Male Reproductive System: Overview

    • The main function of the male reproductive system is to produce sperm and deliver it to the female reproductive system for fertilization.
    • This system is vital for the continuation of the species but not essential for individual survival.

    Development of the Male Reproductive System

    • The development of male reproductive structures is determined by the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome.
    • This gene encodes for Testis Determining Factor (TDF), which triggers the development of testes.
    • In the absence of TDF, ovaries develop.
    • The presence of testosterone from the developing testes promotes the development of male external genitalia.

    Male Anatomy

    • Testes:
      • Paired oval-shaped glands responsible for sperm production and testosterone secretion.
      • Covered by a fibrous capsule called the tunica albuginea.
      • Contain seminiferous tubules, which are responsible for sperm production.
    • Epididymis:
      • Highly coiled tube located on the posterior surface of the testes.
      • Storage and maturation site for sperm.
      • Sperm acquire motility as they travel through the epididymis.
    • Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens):
      • Muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
      • Vasectomy involves ligation of the ductus deferens to prevent sperm from reaching the urethra.
    • Ejaculatory Duct:
      • Formed by the union of the ductus deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle.
      • Transports sperm from the seminal vesicle into the urethra.
    • Urethra:
      • Tube that carries both urine and semen, but not simultaneously.
      • Has three main segments: prostatic, membranous, and spongy.
      • The spongy urethra is essential for ejaculation.
    • Seminal Vesicles:
      • Paired glands that secrete a viscous fluid that makes up a significant portion of semen.
      • The fluid contains fructose, prostaglandins, and other substances that support sperm motility.
    • Prostate:
      • Fibromuscular gland that surrounds the urethra.
      • Secretes a milky fluid that contributes to semen volume and activates sperm motility.
    • Bulbo-urethral Glands (Cowper's glands):
      • Pea-sized glands located inferior to the prostate.
      • Produce a thick mucus that neutralizes residual acidic urine and lubricates the urethra during ejaculation.

    Spermatic Cord

    • The spermatic cord is a bundle of structures that connects the testes to the body.
    • It contains:
      • The pampiniform plexus, which is a network of veins that help regulate testicular temperature.
      • The ductus deferens.
      • The testicular artery, which supplies blood to the testes.
      • The cremasteric artery, which supplies blood to the cremaster muscle.
      • Nerves, including the genital nerve and autonomic nerves.

    Seminal Fluid

    • The fluid that is ejaculated during sexual intercourse, containing sperm cells and secretions from accessory glands.
    • Composed of:
      • Sperm cells
      • Seminal vesicle fluid (50-70% volume): Contains fructose, prostaglandins, and other substances that support sperm motility and viability.
      • Prostate fluid (20-30% volume): Contains zinc, citric acid, and proteases, which activate sperm motility and coagulate semen briefly.
      • Bulbourethral gland fluid (Cowper's gland): Contributes a small amount of mucus that neutralizes acidic urine and lubricates the urethra during ejaculation.

    Spermatogenesis

    • The continuous process of sperm production that occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
    • Begins during puberty and continues throughout life.
    • Involves several stages:
      • Mitosis of Spermatogonia: Stem cell division that produces more spermatogonia.
      • Meiosis of Spermatocytes: Two rounds of cell division that reduce the number of chromosomes in sperm cells from 46 to 23.
      • Spermiogenesis: Maturation of spermatids into sperm cells. This involves elongation, shedding of cytoplasm, and tail formation.
    • The rate and efficiency of spermatogenesis is tightly regulated by hormones, including testosterone and FSH.

    Hormonal Regulation of the Male Reproductive System

    • The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and testes interact in a complex feedback loop to regulate testosterone production and spermatogenesis.
    • The hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
    • FSH stimulates Sertoli cells in the testes to produce androgen binding protein (ABP), which helps testosterone promote sperm maturation.
    • LH stimulates Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone.
    • Testosterone has a negative feedback loop on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, inhibiting the release of GnRH, FSH, and LH.
    • Inhibin, a hormone produced by Sertoli cells, also inhibits the release of FSH.

    The Male Sexual Response

    • A complex physiological process that involves an interplay of hormonal and neural signals.
    • The main phases are:
      • Erection: Erectile tissue in the penis fills with blood, leading to a firm and rigid state.
      • Ejaculation: The expulsion of semen from the urethra through the penis.

    Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

    • The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity.
    • A common condition, affecting millions of men worldwide.
    • Can have both physical and psychological causes:
      • Physical causes:
        • Diabetes
        • Cardiovascular disease
        • Low testosterone levels
      • Psychological causes:
        • Stress
        • Performance anxiety
      • Medications: Some medications, such as SSRIs and antihypertensives, can contribute to ED.

    Clinical Considerations

    • Testicular Cancer:
      • A relatively uncommon cancer that is often treatable if caught early.
      • Risk factors include cryptorchidism, a family history of testicular cancer, and certain genetic disorders.
    • Prostatitis:
      • Inflammation of the prostate gland.
      • Can be caused by bacterial infections, chronic inflammation, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, or other factors.
    • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):
      • Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
      • A common condition in older men, resulting in urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and urinary urgency.
      • Can be managed with medications, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery.
    • Infertility: The inability of a male to father a child.
      • Can be caused by low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or blocked reproductive ducts.
      • Causes can be physical, hormonal, lifestyle-related, or genetic.

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    Male Reproductive System PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the key aspects of the male reproductive system, including its functions, development, and anatomy. Learn about the role of the SRY gene and how male reproductive structures are formed. Test your knowledge on the essential components of male reproduction.

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