ANS3319c Exam 1: Male Reproduction

Glans penis

Distal end of the penis. Highly innervated, homologue to clitoris

Fibroelastic penis

Type of penis that is non-expandable with dense connective tissue (bull, ram, boar)

Sigmoid flexure

allows penis to expand and collapse under control of the retractor penis muscle

Vascular Penis

Type of penis that is expandable with minimal connective tissue (horse, human, dog)

Dog

Animal that has an OS penis (baculum)

Bulbis Glandis

Structure that forms copulatory lock in female during copulation in dogs

Corpus cavernosum

spongy erectile tissue in penile interior

Corpus spongiosum

ventral portion of penile urethra

Ischiocavernosus muscle

paired muscle that connects the penis to ischial arch. On lateral sides of the penis, encloses, and contracts around crus penis to provide rigidity

Crus penis

Anchors penis and holds blood inside penis when ischiocavernosus muscle is contracted

Bulbospongiousus muscle

Overlaps penis root. Contracts, empties extra-pelvic urethra during ejaculation

Urethralis

surrounds pelvic urethra and moves sperm and seminal plasma into the urethra

Vesicular gland (seminal vestical)

Enlarged gland in Boar due to high concentration of seminal fluid

Spermatic cord

Suspends testis in scrotum via inguinal canal. Pathway for vascualr supply, lymph, nerves, ductus deferens

Ductus (vas) deferens

sperm transport from testis towards urethra

Pampiniform plexus

Structure in spermatic cord that provides temperature regulation of the testis. Network of arteries and veins where the veins are wrapped around the arteries

Counter current heat exchange

Way in which the pampiniform plexus cools blood leaving testes

Cremaster muscle

Striated muscle that primarily supports the pumping action of the Pampiniform plexus (facilitates blood flow), but secondarily can raise testis temporarily in “fight or flight” scenario

Scrotal skin, tunica dartos, scrotal fascia, parietal vaginal tunic

The layers of the scrotum from outer to inner

Vaginal cavity

Cavity between the parenchyma of the testes and the scrotum

visceral vaginal tunic, tunica albuginea

2 layers of the testicular capsule of the testes from outer to inner

Scrotum

Protects, supports, and provides temperature regulation of the testes. Has thin layer of skin and low in fat and hair to reduce temperatures.

Tunica dartos

smooth muscle involved in temp regulation. Changes scrotal location relative to body via contractions (lower when relaxed), changes scrotal surface area (increases when relaxed)

scrotal fascia

3rd layer of scrotal tissue that provides support

Parietal vaginal tunic

Innermost layer of scrotal tissue that lines the scrotum between the vaginal cavity and the visceral vaginal tunic

Testes

Produce spermatozoa and testosterone

Tunica albuginea

connective tissue layer under visceral vaginal tunic. Septal projections join mediastinum.

Rete tubules

Connect the seminiferous tubules to the mediastinum

Interstitial space

Part of the parenchyma that has connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic, nerves, and Leydig cells

Leydig cells

Type of somatic cell that produces testosterone in the interstitial space

Seminiferous tubules

Part of the parenchyma where sperm are produced. Composed of basal and adluminal compartments and has Sertoli Cells

Sertoli cells

Nurse cells that are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous epithelium and help regulate spermatogenesis. Separates adluminal from basal compartments

Tight junctions

What attaches Sertoli cells which form part of blood testis barrier.

Blood testis barrier

Prevents immune cells and immunoglubulins from entering adluminal compartment

Basal compartment

Along basement membrane have spermatogonium (cells complete mitosis but not meiosis so are 2N)

Adluminal compartment

Towards lumen of the seminiferous tubules where cells have completed meiosis and are now 1N

Efferent ducts

Move sperm and fluid from rete tubules to epididymis

Ductus (vas) deferens

Contains smooth muscle to transport sperm via muscle contractions from the tail of the epididymis to the pelvic urethra

capcut

Another name for head of the epididymis

corpus

another name for body of the epididymis

cauda

another name for tail of the epididymis

Epididymis

single, highly convoluted tube that matures sperm, provides acquisition of motility to sperm, and store mature sperm

Capcut (head) epididymis

Sperm have no motility or fertility and a proximal cytoplasmic droplet. Possess less sperm than other areas of the same structure

Corpus (body) epididymis

Maturation and concentrates sperm, fluid secretions. Sperm have some fertility and motility expression, can bind to oocyte, cytoplasmic droplet has migrated downwards.

Cauda (tail) epididymis

Site of sperm storage, sperm have normal fertility, motility, and can bind to oocytes. Distal cytoplasmic droplet has now migrated to the tail, indicating mature sperm capable of fertilization

Extra gonadal reserves

total sperm remaining in the epididymal duct, ductus deferens, and ampulla

semen

seminal plasma + sperm

Ampulla

enlargement of the ductus deferens with enlarged mucosa and has some sperm storage

Seminal plasma

Transport media that adds fluid volume, facilitates sperm movement in male and female tracts. Serves as the culture media to provide the environment for sperm motility including fructose for energy. Stimulates sperm motility and hormones in it causes myometrial contractions in uterus which help move sperm to oviducts

Vesicular glands (seminal vesicles)

Secrete fluid directly into pelvic urethra, produces opalescent gel which makes a plug in the stallion, rat, and mouse (prevents another male from insemination same female)

Corpus prostate

Type of prostate: external accessory sex gland, near junction of urethra and pelvic urethral muscle. Bull, stallion, cat and dog

Disseminate prostate

Type of prostate: not well developed or completely missing. Boar and ram (ram prostate in completely missing)

Prostate

secretions cleans pelvic urethra of urine and lubricates the urethra. Adjusts urethra to neutral pH

Bulbourethral glands (Cowpers glands)

paired, fibrous accessory sex gland with high connective tissue. Similar function to prostate- secrete alkaline fluid