Penza State University

Medical Institute

Department of Morphology

Coursework for Histology, Embryology ,Cytology

“Histological structure of the testis.

Spermatogenesis”

Name: VERMA UNNATI

Group: 20LL10(a)

Check: PhD associate professor

Anastaya Kruchinina

Penza 2021

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 Content

Introduction(3)
1. Testes(4)
2. Structure of testes(5)
3. Spermatogenesis (10)
4. Blood-testes barrier(17)
Conclusion(19)
References(20)

Introduction

The process of the formation of spermatozoa is called spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is the process by which male gametes (spermatozoa) are
formed in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Spermatogenesis consists of
three phases: mitotic division of the spermatogonia (proliferation), meiotic
division of the spermatocytes to produce spermatids (meiosis), and
differentiation of round spermatids to form elongated spermatids
(spermatogenesis). Germ cells remain in contact with Sertoli cells throughout
spermatogenesis. After spermatogenesis in the testis, spermatozoa are still
immotile and must go through further maturation processes in the epididymis
and female reproductive tract before they are able to fertilize an egg.
Spermatogenesis is initiated in the male testis with the beginning of puberty.
This comprises the entire development of the spermatogonia (former primordial
germ cells) up to sperm cells. The gonadal cords that are solid up till then in the
juvenile testis develop a lumen with the start of puberty. They then gradually

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transform themselves into spermatic canals that eventually reach a length of
roughly 50-60 cm. They are termed convoluted seminiferous tubules
(Tubuliseminifericontorti) and are so numerous and thin that in an adult male
testicle their collective length can be 300 to 350 meters. They are coated by a
germinal epithelium that exhibits two differing cell populations: some are
sustentacular cells (Sertoli's cells) and the great majority are the germ cells in
various stages of division and differentiation.

Fig No1.male reproductive system

1. Testes

Testicle or testis is the male reproductive gland or gonad in all animals,

including humans. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and
androgens, primarily testosterone. Testosterone release is controlled by the
anterior pituitary luteinizing hormone; whereas sperm production is controlled

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both by the anterior pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadal
testosterone.

1. Structure of testes

Males have two testicles of similar size contained within the scrotum,
which is an extension of the abdominal wall. They are placed in scrotum
because there is ideal temperature for spermatogenesis which is 2 to 3C less
than the body temperature. Scrotal asymmetry is not unusual: one testicle
extends farther down into the scrotum than the other due to differences in the
anatomy of the vasculature.

 Functions of scrotum
Thermoregulation
Protection and support of testis
Each testis is about 4 cm long. The testis lies within a double layered serous sac
called the tunica vaginalis. The outermost layer of the organ is formed by a
dense fibrous membrane called the tunica albuginea.
 The tunica albuginea consists of closely packed collagen fibers amongst
which there are many elastic fibers.
 In the posterior part of the testis the connective tissue of the tunica
albuginea expands into a thick mass that projects into the substance of the
testis. This projection is called the mediastinum testis.
 Numerous septa pass from the mediastinum testis to the tunica albuginea,
and divide the substance of the testis into a number of lobules. Each
lobule is roughly conical, the apex of the cone being directed toward the
mediastinum testis. Each lobule contains one or more highly convoluted
seminiferous tubules.

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  Near the apex of the lobule the seminiferous tubules lose their
convolutions and join one another to form about 20-30 larger, straight
tubules (tubuli recti).
 This straight tubules enter the fibrous tissue of the mediastinum testis and
unite to form a network called the rete testis.
 At its upper end the rete testis gives off 12 to 20 efferent ductules.
These ductules pass from the upper part of the testis into the epididymis.
This duct is highly coiled on itself and forms the body and tail of the
epididymis. It has a body, head and tail. The head is made up of highly
convoluted continuations of the efferent ductules.

 Function:
Sperm,
 Transport
 Maturation
 Motility
 Concentration
 Storage
 Gains ability of fertilization

Spermatozoa formed in the testis enter the caput epididymis, progress to

the corpus, and finally reach the cauda region, where they are stored. Sperm
entering the caput epididymis are incomplete—they lack the ability to swim
forward (motility) and to fertilize an egg. It stores the sperm for 2–3 months.
During their transit in the epididymis, sperm undergo maturation processes
necessary for them to acquire these functions. Final maturation is completed in
the female reproductive tract (capacitation).

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 The epididymis secretes some proteins that blocks the receptors on the
plasma membrane of sperm head which renders sperm infertile inside the male
tract (decapacitation).
During ejaculation, sperm flow from the lower portion of the epididymis
(which functions as a storage reservoir). They have not been activated by
products from the prostate gland, and they are unable to swim, but are
transported via the peristaltic action of muscle layers within the vas deferens,
and are mixed with the diluting fluids of the seminal vesicles and other
accessory glands prior to ejaculation (forming semen).

 At the lower end of the head these tubules join to form a single tube
called the duct of the epididymis. At the lower end of the tail the duct
becomes continuous with the ductus deferens.
 Function
 Sperm transport from epididymis to pelvic urethra.

Fig No.2 Seminiferous tubules

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Within the seminiferous tubules,
 Here, germ cells develop into spermatogonia, spermatocytes,
spermatids and spermatozoon through the process of spermatogenesis.
The gametes contain DNA for fertilization of an ovum
 Sertoli cells – the true epithelium of the seminiferous epithelium,
critical for the support of germ cell development into spermatozoa.
Sertoli cells secrete inhibin.
 Peritubular myoid cells surround the seminiferous tubules.
 Between tubules (interstitial cells)
 Leydig cells – cells localized between seminiferous tubules that
produce and secrete testosterone and other androgens important for
sexual development and puberty, secondary sexual characteristics like
facial hair, sexual behaviour and libido, supporting spermatogenesis
and erectile function. Testosterone also controls testicular volume.
 Also present are: Immature Leydig cells,Interstitial macrophages and
epithelial cells.

• Sertoli cells
 Surround developing germ cells
 Provide structural & metabolic support to spermatogenic
cells
 Produces:
 Androgen binding protein (ABP)
 Inhibin
 Sulfated glycoprotein
• Leydig cells
• Located between seminiferous tubules
• Produce androgens (testosterone)
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 Role of Sertoli cells
At all stages of differentiation, the spermatogenic cells are in close
contact with Sertoli cells which are thought to provide structural and metabolic
support to the developing sperm cells. A single Sertoli cell extends from the
basement membrane to the lumen of the seminiferous tubule, although the
cytoplasmic processes are difficult to distinguish at the light microscopic level.
Sertoli cells serve a number of functions during spermatogenesis, they
support the developing gametes in the following ways:
 Maintain the environment necessary for development and maturation, via
the blood-testis barrier
 Secrete substances initiating meiosis
 Secrete supporting testicular fluid
 Secrete hormones affecting pituitary gland control of spermatogenesis,
particularly the polypeptide hormone, inhibin
 Phagocytose residual cytoplasm left over from spermiogenesis
 Protect spermatids from the immune system of the male, via the blood-
testis barrier

3.Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesisis the process in whichspermatozoaare produced from
male primordial germ cells by way of mitosis and meiosis. The initial cells in
this pathway are called spermatogonia, which yield primary spermatocytes by
mitosis. The primary spermatocyte divides meiotically (Meiosis I) into two
secondary spermatocytes; each secondary spermatocyte divides into
twospermatids by Meiosis II. These develop into mature spermatozoa, also
known as sperm cells. Thus, the primary spermatocyte gives rise to two cells,

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the secondary spermatocytes, and the two secondary spermatocytes by their
subdivision produce four spermatozoa.
Spermatozoa are the mature male gametes in many sexually reproducing
organisms. Thus, spermatogenesis is the male version ofgametogenesis, of
which the female equivalent is oogenesis. In mammals it occurs in
the seminiferous tubules of the male testes in a stepwise fashion.
Spermatogenesis is highly dependent upon optimal conditions for the process to
occur correctly, and is essential for sexual reproduction. DNA
methylation and histone modification have been implicated in the regulation of
this process. It starts at puberty and usually continues uninterrupted until death;
although a slight decrease can be discerned in the quantity of produced sperm
with increase in age (Male infertility).

Fig No.3 process of spermatogenesis

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 Purpose
Spermatogenesis produces mature male gametes, commonly
called sperm but specifically known as spermatozoa, which are able to fertilize
the counterpart female gamete, theoocyte, during conception to produce a
single-celled individual known as a zygote. This is thecornerstoneof sexual
reproduction and involves the two gametes both contributing half the normal set
of chromosomes (haploid) to result in a chromosomally normal (diploid) zygote.
To preserve the number of chromosomes in the offspring – which differs
between species – each gamete must have half the usual number of
chromosomes present in other body cells.
Otherwise, the offspring will have twice the normal number of
chromosomes, andserious abnormalities may result. In humans, chromosomal
abnormalities arising from incorrect spermatogenesis results in congenital
defects and abnormal birth defects (Down Syndrome, Klinefelter’s Syndrome)
and in most cases, spontaneous abortion of the developing fetus.

Structure of sperm

Fig No.4 stucture of sperm

Location

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 Spermatogenesis takes place within several structures of the male
reproductive system. The initial stages occur within the testes and progress to
the epididymis where the developing gametes mature and are stored
until ejaculation. The seminiferous tubules of the testes are the starting point for
the process, where stem cells adjacent to the inner tubule wall divide in a
centripetal direction—beginning at the walls and proceeding into the innermost
part, or lumen—to produce immature sperm.
Maturation occurs in the epididymis. The location [Testes/Scrotum] is
specifically important as the process of spermatogenesis requires a lower
temperature to produce viable sperm, specifically 1°-8 °C lower than normal
body temperature of 37 °C (98.6 °F). Clinically, small fluctuations in
temperature such as from an athletic support strap, causes no impairment in
sperm viability or count.
Duration
For humans, the entire process of spermatogenesis is variously estimated
as taking 74 days (according to tritium-labelled biopsies) and approximately 120
days (according to DNA clock measurements). Including the transport on ductal
system, it takes 3 months. Testes produce 200 to 300 million spermatozoa
daily. However, only about half or 100 million of these become viable sperm.

Stages
The entire process of spermatogenesis can be broken up into several
distinct stages, each corresponding to a particular type of cell in human. In the
following table, ploidy, copy number and chromosome/chromatid counts are for
onegenerally prior to DNA synthesis and division (in G1 if applicable). The
primary spermatocyte is arrested after DNA synthesis and prior to division.

Spermatocytogenesis

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 Spermatocytogenesis is the male form of gametocytogenesis and results
in the formation ofspermatocytespossessing half the normal complement of
genetic material. In spermatocytogenesis, a diploidspermatogonium, which
resides in the basal compartment of the seminiferous tubules, divides mitotically,
producing two diploid intermediate cells calledprimary spermatocytes. Each
primary spermatocyte then moves into the adluminal compartment of the
seminiferous tubules and duplicates its DNA and subsequently
undergoesmeiosis I to produce two haploid secondary spermatocytes, which
will later divide once more into haploid spermatids. This division implicates
sources of genetic variation, such as random inclusion of either parental
chromosomes, or chromosomal crossover, to increase the genetic variability of
the gamete.
Each cell division from a spermatogonium to a spermatid is incomplete;
the cells remain connected to one another by bridges of cytoplasm to allow
synchronous development. It should also be noted that not all spermatogonia
divide to produce spermatocytes; otherwise, the supply of spermatogonia would
run out. Instead, certain types of spermatogonia divide mitotically to produce
copies of themselves, ensuring a constant supply of spermatogonia to fuel
spermatogenesis.

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 Fig No.5 Stages of spermatogenesis

 Spermatidogenesis
Spermatidogenesis is the creation of spermatids from secondary
spermatocytes. Secondary spermatocytes produced earlier rapidly enter meiosis
II and divide to produce haploid spermatids.

 Spermiogenesis
During spermiogenesis, the spermatids begin to form a tail by growing
microtubules on one of the centrioles, which turns into basal body. These
microtubules form an axoneme. The anterior part of the tail (called midpiece)
thickens because mitochondria are arranged around the axoneme to ensure
energy supply. Spermatid DNA also undergoes packaging, becoming
highlycondensed. The DNA is packaged firstly with specific nuclear basic

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proteins, which are subsequently replaced with protaminesduring spermatid
elongation.
The resultant tightly packed chromatin is transcriptionally inactive. The Golgi
apparatus surrounds the now condensed nucleus, becoming the acrosome.
Maturation then takes place under the influence of testosterone, which
removes the remaining unnecessary cytoplasm andorganelles. The excess
cytoplasm, known as residual bodies, is phagocytosed by surrounding Sertoli
cells in the testes. The resulting spermatozoa are now mature but lack motility,
rendering them sterile. The mature spermatozoa are released from the
protectiveSertolicellsinto the lumen of the seminiferous tubule in a process
calledspermiation.
The non-motile spermatozoa are transported to
the epididymis in testicular fluid secreted by the Sertoli cells with the aid
of peristaltic contraction. While in the epididymis the spermatozoa gain motility
and become capable of fertilization. However, transport of the mature
spermatozoa through the remainder of the male reproductive system is achieved
via muscle contraction rather than the spermatozoon's recently acquired motility.
4.Testis barrier
The blood–testis barrier is a physical barrier between the blood
vessels and the seminiferous tubules of the animal testes. The name "blood-
testis barrier" is misleading in that it is not a blood-organ barrier in a strict sense,
but is formed between Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubule and as such
isolates the further developed stages of germ cells from the blood. A more
correct term is the "Sertoli cell barrier" (SCB).
Structure:-The walls of seminiferous tubules are lined by primitive germ
layer cells and Sertoli cells.[1] The barrier is formed by tight junctions,adherens
junctions and gap junctions between the Sertoli cells, which are sustentacular
cells (supporting cells) of the seminiferous tubules, and divides the seminiferous
tubule in a basal compartment (outer side of the tubule, in contact with blood

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and lymph) and an adluminal compartment (inner side of the tubule, isolated
from blood and lymph).
Function: The presence of the SCB allows Sertoli cells to control the
adluminal environment in which germ cells (spermatocytes, spermatids and
sperm) develop by influencing the chemical composition of the luminal fluid.
The barrier also prevents passage of cytotoxic agents (bodies or substances that
are toxic to cells) into the seminiferous tubules.
The fluid in the lumen of seminiferous tubules is quite different from
plasma; it contains very little protein and glucose but is rich in androgens,
estrogens, potassium, inositol and Glutamic and Aspartic acid. This composition
is maintained by Blood–testis barrier.

Figno . 6 Testis barrier

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 Conclusion
It is the project of structure of testis spermatogenesis. It would be useful
for spermatogenesis process study. It includes the general information of
process & includes the purpose of project.
Spermatogenesis is a highly organized and complex sequence of
differentiation events that yields genetically distinct male gametes for
fertilization. Sperm production is a continuous process, initiated at puberty and
continuing throughout life, which occurs in the seminiferous tubules within an
immune privileged site. Spermatozoa released from the seminiferous tubules
into the epididymis undergo post-testicular maturation. Before fertilization can
occur, spermatozoa must undergo further biochemical changes via capacitation
and acrosome reaction, both of which occur after ejaculation. Recent knowledge
originated from a novel direct measurement of human spermatogenesis kinetics
in vivo indicates that the entire sperm production process is shorter than
previously believed. Based on this new method involving a stable isotope
labeling with enriched heavy water and analysis of DNA isotopic enrichment in
ejaculated sperm by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, it has been also
suggested that there is a large individual biological variability in the duration of
spermatogenesis. This method may become a novel tool for characterizing the
relationship between spermatogenesis and semen quality in male infertility,
including the measurement of the effects of gonadotoxic exposure as well as
medical and surgical interventions.
Hear it has the information about the external and internal structure of
testis and spermatogenesis process, duration. It contains the stages of
spermatogenesis and the other functions that would be useful for study.
We come to know about the structure of man gonad-testis and some other
structures. We also able to understand the important process like
spermatogenesis which is important for the formation of new life.

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4. Junqueira’s Basic Histology Text & Atlas

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23287428.
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11. Wallach, Edward E.; Kandeel, Fouad R.; Swerdloff, Ronald S. (1
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