TESTIS

In the human adult male, the testes are located within the scrotum. Each testis is ovoid in
shape and is about 4 to 6 cm in length and 2 to 3 cm in diameter. A connective tissue sheath, the
tunica albuginea, encapsulates each testis. The testis consists of convoluted seminiferous tubules
within which sperms are produced. These tubules converge into the rete testis, which opens to
efferential ductules to the epididymis. The epididymis is composed of a head (caput), body (corpus),
and the tail, which connects directly with the vas deferens. The outer sheet of the seminiferous
tubules is made up of connective tissue and smooth muscle; the inner lining is composed of Sertoli
cells within which are embedded the spermatogonia and various stages of immature as well as
mature sperms. The fully mature spermatozoa, spermatids, are released into the lumen of the
seminiferous tubules and subsequently advance slowly to the rete testis and epididymis where they
are stored within the tail. Between the seminiferous tubules are found the interstitial cells of Leydig,
the cellular source of androgen production within the testes.

The two major functions of the adult testes are: androgen production and spermatogenesis.
The principal androgens are testosterone and androstenedione. Other androgens include
dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S).The control
of these diverse functions requires the coordinated activity of a number of pituitary gonadotropins,
which are, in turn regulated by hypothalamic GnRH.

Testes contain three principal cell types:

1. Germ cells, derived from primitive ectodermal cells of the inner cell mass (initially identifiable in
the yolk sac).

2. Supporting cells, derived from the coelomic epithelium of the gonadal ridge that differentiate into
the Sertoli cells in the testis (or granulosa cells in the ovary).

3. Stromal (interstitial) cells, derived from the mesenchyme of the gonadal ridge that differentiate
into Leydig cells. They secrete androgens.

Fig. Testis.
Table: Physiological roles of Testicular Androgens in the human male:

Target organ Physiological response

Prepubertal
Accessory sex glands Wolffian duct differentiation and growth
External genitalia Growth and differentiation (scrotum and penis)
Pubertal
Skeletal muscle Masculine body growth and physique
Bone Bone formation
Vocal cords Voice change
Skin Hair growth (berad, axilla, chest, pubic and general body
surface)
Hairloss (e.g., forehead)
Sebaceous gland growth and sebum production
Testis Sertoli cell maturation and androgen-binding protein synthesis
Spermatogenesis
External genitalia Penile and scrotal growth
Accessory sex glands Prostate gland, seminal vesicle, bulbourethral gland growth
and secretion
Central nervous system Sexual activity (libido increased)
Hypothalamo-pituitary axis Inhibition of LH secretion