Histology 15

NSU
Spring 2009
Taken by: Gregory Rodocker
The Male Reproductive
System
 Testis
 Produce spermatozoa
 Produce hormones
 Ducts
 Glands
 Penis
Testis
 Surrounded by a dense CT layer
called the tunica albuginea
 This tunica continues into the testis
and divides each testis into 250
lobules
 Each lobule contains 1-4 seminiferous
tubules and interstitial (Leydig) cells
Seminiferous tubules and
interstitial cells
Stallion testis
Seminiferous tubules
 Composed of two cell types
 Sertoli (nurse/sustentacular) cells
 Spermatogenic cells
 Which carry out spermatogenesis
 Including spermiogenesis
Sertoli Cells for the blood-
testis barrier
Spermiogenesis
Spermatogensis vs.
Spermiogensis
 Spermatogenesis the process by
which male spermatogonia develop
into mature spermatozoa.
 Spermiogenesis is the final stage of
spermatogenesis which sees the
maturation of spermatids into mature,
motile spermatozoa.
Sertoli cells
 Support, protect and nurture the
developing spermatozoa
 Phagocytosis of residual bodies as
sperm shed excess cytoplasm
 Secrete fluids to carry the
spermatozoa down tubule also
Androgen binding protein, inhibin
(which feeds back to suppress FSH)
Blood-Testis Barrier
 Two reasons
 Haploid cells are “genetically” different
that ret of cells and blood contains the
immune system.
 Haploid cells are compromised so that
they need to be protected from toxins in
the bloodstream
 Testes Infertility Maturation
Arrest

Note the obvious

spermatogonia and
rest are Sertoli cells
Factors affecting
spermatogenesis
 Androgen-binding protein
 Binds testosterone and carries it into the
lumen of the tubule to stimulate sperm
development
 Proper temperature
 Pampiniform plexus
 Cremaster muscles
 Scrotal sweating
Varicocele
Hydrocele