Male Reproductive System

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary related to the male reproductive system, including important processes, hormones, and anatomical structures.

Spermatogenesis

The process through which sperm cells are produced via mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis.

Leydig cells

Cells located in the interstitial space of the testes responsible for producing androgens, primarily testosterone.

Sertoli cells

Supportive cells in the seminiferous tubules that provide nourishment to germ cells and form the blood-testis barrier.

Epididymis

A duct-like organ where sperm mature and are stored; consists of four anatomical regions.

Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone produced by Leydig cells that influences sperm production and male secondary sexual characteristics.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

A regulatory pathway involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads that controls reproductive functions.

Spermiogenesis

The final stage of sperm development, where spermatids transform into spermatozoa.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes, key in early stages of spermatogenesis.

Meiosis

A specialized form of cell division that reduces chromosome number by half, critical for forming haploid sperm cells.

Inhibin

A hormone produced by Sertoli cells that inhibits the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland.

Androgens

A group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity; the primary androgen is testosterone.

Cryptorchidism

A condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum, potentially leading to infertility.

Varicocele

A condition characterized by swollen veins in the scrotum that can affect sperm production.

Azoospermia

The absence of sperm in the semen, which can be a cause of male infertility.

Oligozoospermia

A condition where the sperm concentration in semen is lower than normal.

Ejaculation

The process of expelling semen from the male reproductive tract, involving coordinated muscle contractions.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the anterior pituitary to produce LH and FSH.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

A potent androgen derived from testosterone, crucial for the development of male characteristics.

Semen analysis

A laboratory test to assess sperm quality and quantity, used to evaluate male fertility.

Spermatogonia

The primitive germ cells in the testes that undergo mitosis to produce sperm cells.

Testicular temperature regulation

Mechanisms that maintain the testes at an optimal temperature for spermatogenesis, typically 32-35°C.