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Male Reproductive System

The document summarizes the male reproductive system. It describes the internal and external anatomy, including structures like the testes, vas deferens, and penis. It explains the functions of testosterone and cells like Leydig and Sertoli cells in hormone production and spermatogenesis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis that regulates these processes is also summarized. Key details about sperm production, maturation, and ejaculation are provided. Finally, some pathological conditions that can cause infertility like Klinefelter syndrome and hypogonadism are outlined.

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Ishaq
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44 views

Male Reproductive System

The document summarizes the male reproductive system. It describes the internal and external anatomy, including structures like the testes, vas deferens, and penis. It explains the functions of testosterone and cells like Leydig and Sertoli cells in hormone production and spermatogenesis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis that regulates these processes is also summarized. Key details about sperm production, maturation, and ejaculation are provided. Finally, some pathological conditions that can cause infertility like Klinefelter syndrome and hypogonadism are outlined.

Uploaded by

Ishaq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Male Reproductive System

Dr Mohamed Smith
OUTLINE
• Overview
• Anatomy
• Male sex hormone
• Spermatogenesis
• Pathology
The male reproductive system

Internal structures:
External structures:
• vas deferens, • Scrotum
• prostate, • Penis.
• Semina vesicle • Testes
• Bulbourethra • Epididymis
Anatomy
Function
The function of the male reproductive system
• Hormone production; Testosterone
• spermatogenesis
• Corpulation; transfer of sperm into the female reproductive system
for fertilization.
Functional cells of the male reproductive system
• Leydig cells
• Sertoli cells
found in the testes.

structures are well-vascularized with many glands and ducts

They promote the formation, storage, and ejaculation of sperm for


fertilization
• Leydig cells are found in the interstitium of the testes adjacent to the
seminiferous tubules
• They produce a steroid hormone; testosterone
• Testosterone exerts its effects by binding intracellular receptors and
regulating protein expression.
• Testosterone can be converted in the periphery to a more active form
-dihydrotestosterone via 5-alpha-reductase
-estradiol via aromatase
• Sertoli cells are found in the periphery of the seminiferous tubules.
• They promote spermatogenesis, which begins at the periphery of the
tubules.
• They bind together to form a blood-testis barrier to keep germ cells
contained in the seminiferous tubules
• They connect with each other through tight junctions
• Other key hormones produced by the Sertoli cells in the testes
- inhibin B
-Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS)
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

• FSH and LH, released from the anterior pituitary gland modulate
gonadal hormones

• FSH and LH are regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH),


produced by the hypothalamus.

• Together, these hormones form the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal


axis

• Promotes and maintains sexual development and function in the male


• The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis plays a major role in
promoting sexual maturity
• sperm production

• development of secondary sex characteristics.

• It maintains spermatogenesis and sexual function throughout the


male’s lifetime.
• The hypothalamus secretes GnRH into the hypothalamo-hypophyseal
portal system to stimulate the anterior pituitary.
• GnRH is a peptide hormone released by hypothalamic neurons in a
pulsatile fashion.
• It acts on the gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary via the binding
and activation of a G protein receptor
• stimulates the anterior pituitary through inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate
(IP3) activation to release FSH and LH.
• GnRH is inhibited by testosterone, estrogen, estradiol, and prolactin
• In response GnRH, the anterior pituitary secretes LH and FSH into the
blood.

• These gonadotropic hormones act on membrane receptors in the


Leydig(LH) and Sertoli(FSH) cells of the testes.

• Both exert their physiologic effects by binding and activating a G


protein receptor, which activates adenylyl cyclase and increases
cellular cAMP levels, to stimulate Sertoli and Leydig cells
• Testosterone acts on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary via
negative feedback to decrease the secretion of LH and FSH
Spermatogenesis
• Spermatogenesis starts at puberty with the germ cells found in the
basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules of the testes
• . Sertoli cells stimulated by FSH help regulate spermatogenesis.
• The first stage of spermatogenesis begins with mitosis of diploid
spermatogonia into primary spermatocytes.
• These spermatocytes undergo meiosis I to produce haploid secondary
spermatocytes
SPERMATOGENESIS

• Haploid secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis II to form haploid


spermatids.

• The most primitive spermatocytes are found peripherally in the


seminiferous tubules and mature by migrating towards the lumen.

• Spermatids transform into spermatozoa by reducing cytoplasm

• . These spermatozoa are still immotile and are released into the tubules to
travel to the epididymis for maturation.
SPERMATOGENESIS

• The epididymis is a coiled structure consisting of a head, body, and tail. The tail of
the epididymis eventually joins with the vas deferens, providing an outlet for
mature sperms to ejaculate.

• In the epididymis, the sperm takes about 12 days to mature and develop motility.
They are then stored in the tail of the epididymis until ejaculation occurs.

• A mature sperm consists of a head, midpiece, and tail. The head contains the
nucleus with very little cytoplasm.
• An acrosome or cap covers the head and is filled with lysosomes, which aids with
fertilization.
• The midpiece contains abundant mitochondria to provide energy for the flagellum
or tail of the sperm.
SPERMATOGENESIS

• During sexual arousal (physical or psychological), vasodilation brings blood to


the penis.
• The penis contains corpora cavernosa and a corpus spongiosum where blood
flows along to enlarge and erect the penis.

• As sexual stimulation continues, blood continues to flow to the genitals, and


the testes enlarge in preparation of ejaculation.
 
• When ejaculation occurs, smooth muscle contractions of the epididymis
pushes sperm into the ductus deferens (vas deferens).
• The ductus deferens delivers the sperm to ejaculatory duct by joining with the
seminal vesicle duct near the prostate.
SPERMATOGENESIS
• The seminal vesicles produce fructose, which provides the energy for sperm
motility.

• It is released within a fluid that mixes with the sperm to form semen.

• Once in the ejaculatory duct, the semen passes through the prostate,
which secretes an alkaline fluid that helps thicken the semen

• The semen then passes the bulbourethral glands or Cowper’s glands, which
release a thick fluid that lubricates the urethral opening and clears the
urethra of any urine residue.
• The semen then can enter the female vaginal canal, allowing the sperm to
travel to and fertilize a potential egg within the female reproductive system
PATHOLOGY

• An imbalance in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can result in


infertility and hypogonadism.
-Primary hypogonadism
-Secondary hypogonadism

Primary hypogonadism results from a gonadal failure to produce


adequate testosterone or spermatogenesis despite high LH and FSH
levels.
PATHOLOGY

• Congenital
- Klinefelter syndrome,
- Cryptorchidism.

• Acquired
- hepatic cirrhosis,
- renal failure
-drugs,
-autoimmune disease, irradiation
PATHOLOGY
• Secondary hypogonadism: Disruption in the hypothalamic-pituitary
• low GnRH, LH or FSH leads to low testosterone and spermatogenesis.

• congenital
- Isolated deficiency GnRH, LH or FSH ( Kallmann’s, Prader-Willi)
• Acquired
- hyperprolactinemia
- panhypopituitarism,
- drugs (i.e., steroid use or opiates)
- systemic diseases,
- tumors,
• THANK YOU

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