9/1 repro: Male Reproductive Anatomy and Thermal Regulation

Vocabulary flashcards covering male reproductive anatomy, testicular descent, histological compartments, the blood-testes barrier, epididymal function, accessory sex glands, and penile variations across domestic species based on lecture notes.

Cryptorchid

A male animal in which testicular descent has gone wrong, resulting in one or both testes remaining inside the abdominal cavity.

Unilateral Cryptorchid

A male with one testis retained in the body cavity and one descended into the scrotum; usually fertile because the descended testis produces viable sperm.

Bilateral Cryptorchid

A male with both testes retained in the abdomen; sterile because the testes remain too hot to produce living sperm.

Gubernaculum

A muscular structure connecting the testicle to the base of the scrotum that grows to pull the testicle toward the inguinal ring and then regresses to pull it into the scrotum.

Inguinal Ring

An opening at the base of the abdomen through which the testicle passes during testicular descent into the scrotum.

Inguinal Hernia

A condition occurring when the inguinal ring fails to close properly, allowing abdominal fat and/or loops of small intestine to pass into the scrotum.

Mediastinum

The central collection vessel within the testicle where all produced sperm converge before moving out of the testicle.

Parenchyma

The major dark, meat-like functional tissue component of the testicle where sperm-producing structures are housed.

Seminiferous Tubules

Tubular structures organized within the lobules of the testicular parenchyma where spermatogenesis takes place.

Interstitial Compartment

The compartment of the testicular tissue outside the tubules containing blood vessels, lymphatic channels, and testosterone-producing cells.

Leydig Cells

Cells located in the interstitial compartment of the testicle that serve as the primary source of testosterone.

Adluminal Compartment

The compartment within the seminiferous tubule housing Sertoli cells and developing germ cells/gametes.

Sertoli Cells

Also known as nurse cells; cells located in the adluminal compartment that support spermatogenesis and provide essential nutrients to developing gametes.

Blood-Testes Barrier

A functional barrier created by peritubular myoid cells and tight junctions between Sertoli cells to prevent immune cells from recognizing post-meiotic haploid gametes as foreign objects.

Peritubular Myoid Cells

Long, flat cells located in the basal compartment that overlap extensively to form the outer structural line of defense in the blood-testes barrier.

Tight Junctions

Protein structures on adjacent Sertoli cells that link together to seal spaces and prevent immune cells from accessing haploid germ cells in the adluminal compartment.

Cytoplasmic Droplet

A cellular remnant on immature sperm that translocates down the flagellum and is typically shed as sperm mature while passing through the epididymis.

Tail of the Epididymis

The specific region of the epididymis where mature sperm are stored prior to ejaculation.

Accessory Sex Glands

Glands including the ampulla, vesicular glands, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands that cleanse the urethra and secrete nutrients/buffers to support sperm survival.

Gel Fraction

The final, non-sperm portion of a boar's ejaculate produced by the bulbourethral glands that solidifies to plug the sow's cervix and prevent fluid backflow.

Fibroelastic Penis

A type of penis found in boars, bulls, rams, and bucks that straightens and becomes rigid during erection without significantly increasing in diameter.

Vascular Penis

A type of penis found in stallions and humans that increases significantly in girth and diameter upon erection due to blood engorgment in open cavernous tissues.

Urethral Process

Also known as the filiform appendage; a narrow extension at the tip of the penis in rams and bucks that sprays sperm during ejaculation near the cervical opening.

Penile Spines

Structures covering the glans penis of the tomcat that stimulate vaginal sensory neurons during mating to trigger GnRH release and induce ovulation in the queen.