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EXERCISE NO. 16
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The male reproductive system is composed of several distinct organs. These include the testes,
epididymis, deferent ducts, accessory glands, and penis. Accessory glands include the ampullary glands,
vesicular glands, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland and urethral glands.
The primary function of the male reproductive system is reproduction, which includes the production of
spermatozoa, the transportation of spermatozoa from the testes out of the male body, the secretion by glands,
and the placement of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract. Various accessory glands in the male system
secrete materials which together with the spermatozoa constitutes the semen. A secondary function of the male
reproductive system is the production of the male hormones which are responsible for their secondary sex
characteristics.

OBJECTIVES

1. To recognize germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubule.

2. To differentiate Sertoli cells and Leydig cells and explain their functions in the production of sperm and
regulation of the male reproductive system.
3. To identify various parts of the male reproductive tract in histological section and explain the function of
each part in regards to the production of semen.

MATERIALS

1. Compound microscope
2. Prepared slides of the following:
a. Penis
b. Testis
c. Prostate gland
 Worksheet
Exercise 16
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Penis Testis Prostate gland

QUESTIONS

1. What are the different stages of spermatogenesis? Describe each stage, specifically the germ cell type on
each stage.
Answer:
Spermatozoa are produced in males continuously from adolescence throughout life through a complex
process termed spermatogenesis. The different stages of spermatogenesis are:
1. Spermatogonia- Small diploid stem cells derived from primordial germ cells, which migrate into the
testis during embryonic development and reside at the periphery of the seminiferous tubules in contact
with the basal lamina. The spermatogonia are located in the basal compartments of both membranes.
These cells appear round and pale, with prominent nucleoli. The Sertoli cells, with their characteristic
oval-shaped nuclei, are also visible. These provide support to the developing primary spermatocytes.
2. Primary spermatocytes- Pale-staining cells, which are larger and closer to the lumen than are
spermatogonia. Soon after their formation, primary spermatocytes enter the first meiotic prophase.
Because this prophase lasts approximately 22 days, primary spermatocytes in various stages of
chromosome condensation are frequently observed in histologic sections of the testis. The developing
primary spermatocytes have large, granulated nuclei that are preparing for the first meiotic division.
3. Secondary spermatocytes- Smaller than primary spermatocytes and have a pale-staining spherical
nucleus. Secondary spermatocytes rapidly undergo the second meiotic division to produce haploid
spermatids. Secondary spermatocytes are rarely observed because their life span is approximately only 8
 hours. Secondary spermatocytes, which contain 23 pairs of chromatids, are rarely visible. The products
of meiosis are the haploid spermatids.
4. Spermatids- Differentiating haploid cells that are embedded in invaginations of Sertoli cells near the
lumen. As spermatids move toward the tubule lumen, they undergo an elaborate maturation process
without mitosis, called spermiogenesis, to become mature spermatozoa. During spermiogenesis,
spermatids elongate and discard most of their cytoplasm. In addition, they develop a flagellum and an
acrosome, a caplike organelle containing hydrolytic enzymes that facilitate the entry of sperm into an
oocyte. The haploid spermatids, which contain dark, round nuclei and a decreasing, amount of
cytoplasm. These differentiate further into spermatozoa.
5. Spermatozoa (mature sperm cells) - Highly specialized cells with a single flagellum and a small
concentrated nucleus. Hundreds of millions of spermatozoa are produced and released into the lumen
each day. Spermatozoa do not fully mature and become motile until they pass through the epididymis.

2. What are the difference between Sertoli cells and Leydig cells based on their histological features and
functions?
Answer:
Interstitial or Leydig cells are located in the connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules.
They produce testosterone, the male sex hormone responsible for the growth and maintenance of the
cells of the germinal epithelium and the development of secondary sex characteristics. Leydig cells
often display cytoplasmic crystals of Reinke; the function of these crystals is unknown.
Structure- Leydig cells are polygonal cells with cytologic characteristics of steroid-secreting cells—
abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets.
Function- Leydig cells are endocrine cells that produce and secrete testosterone, the most important
circulating androgen. Testosterone is required for the development, maturation and function of the male
reproductive organs, male sexual function (libido), and regulation of gonadotropin secretion by the
pituitary gland.

Sertoli cells are located in the germinal epithelium and play a supportive role in the development of
spermatozoa. These cells have abundant cytoplasm and extend from the basement membrane to the
lumen. Sertoli cells have a characteristic oval nucleus with a dark nucleolus. The cytoplasmic
contents and blood-testis barrier are better visualized under the electron microscope.
Structure- Sertoli cells have a large, basally located oval nucleus with deep infoldings and a prominent
nucleolus. Sertoli cells extend from the basal lamina to the tubule lumen. The cells have complex
shapes, with numerous invaginations that surround spermatocytes and spermatids.
Function- Produce cytoplasmic androgen-binding protein (ABP). Sertoli cells secrete testicular fluid
containing ABP into the lumen, which binds testosterone, thereby increasing the local concentration of
testosterone at the site of spermatogenesis. Sertolicell secretion is stimulated by testosterone and by
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It also produces inhibin and activin, these two polypeptide
hormones suppress and activate FSH production, respectively. Sertoli cells phagocytose degenerating
germ cells and cytoplasm shed by maturing spermatids during spermiogenesis.

3. What are the various parts of the male reproductive system? Describe each part based on its histological
features and function in sperm production.
Answer:
The male reproductive system is responsible for sexual function, as well as urination. The external
organs include the penis, scrotum and testicles while the internal organs include the vas deferens,
prostate and urethra.
Penis- The penis is composed of three parallel, cylindrical masses of erectile tissue: the paired corpora
cavernosa of the penis, located dorsally, and the single corpus spongiosum, located ventrally. Each
erectile body is enclosed in a dense fibrous connective tissue capsule. The corpus spongiosum surrounds
the urethra and is enlarged distally as the glans penis. The penis has two important functions: as an
excretory organ that voids urine from the urinary bladder to outside the body, and as a copulatory organ
that transfers sperm to the female reproductive tract.
Scrotum- The scrotum consists of skin, dartos muscle, and external spermatic, cremasteric, and internal
spermatic fasciae. The internal fascia is loosely attached to the parietal layer of the tunica vaginalis. The
scrotum has a protective function, including the maintenance of optimal temperatures for sperm survival
and function.
Testicles- Each testis is surrounded by a dense, fibrous connective tissue capsule covered with
mesothelium, called the tunica albuginea. The tunica albuginea thickens posteriorly to form the
mediastinum testis, which bulges into the interior of the testis. Sperm ductules, blood and lymphatic
vessels, and nerves enter and exit the testis through the mediastinum testis. The testis consists of
numerous seminiferous tubules (the site of sperm production) supported by interstitial tissue containing
Leydig cells, which produce testosterone.
Vas deferens- The ductus deferens is also known as the vas deferens. Each ductus deferens penetrates
the prostate gland immediately distal to the ampulla. The portion of the ductus deferens within the
prostate is called the ejaculatory duct. The paired ejaculatory ducts open into the prostatic urethra,
thereby conveying sperm from the ductus deferens to the urethra. Each duct is a short, straight tube lined
with simple cuboidal epithelium without smooth muscle in its walls. The ductus deferens transports
sperm from the testis to the ejaculatory duct within the prostate gland.
Prostate gland- Prostate glands are accessory sex organs essential for reproductive function in males.
The secretory products of these glands are released during ejaculation and contribute the major portion
of the semen. The activity of each of the glands is dependent on the continued presence of testosterone.
Urethra- The human urethra is lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium lining the urethral
lumen. The urethra is located in the corpus spongiosum made up of erectile tissue. Note the blood
vessels contained in the erectile tissue; during erection, the arteries dilate to fill the sinuses, which
obstruct venous outflow and traps blood in the penis. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the
bladder to outside of your body. In males, it has the additional function of expelling (ejaculating)
semen when you reach orgasm.