ANAT200 Lecture Notes - Vasodilation, Epididymis, Corpus Spongiosum Penis
Document Summary
Deliver male gametes to the female reproductive tract. Testes production of spermatozoa and the male sex hormone, testosterone. Ducts sperm storage, maturation and transport. Accessory glands secrete majority of seminal fluid and secretions function in maintenance and maturation of sperm. Penis male organ of copulation and common pathway for urine and semen. Semen consists of spermatozoa and secretions of accessory glands. Transformation of round spermatid into asymmetric spermatozoon: condensation of nucleus, formation of acrosome, development of flagellum. Mitochondria in midpiece produce atp that generates the beating of the flagellum. Contains enzymes that bore hole in zona pellucida. Allows sperm to reach plasma membrane of egg. Egg and sperm plasma membranes fuse at fertilization. At birth, testes contain only spermatogonia and sertoli cells. Spermatocytes and spermatids and sperm do not develop until puberty. Immune system would therefore see sperm proteins as foreign. Stimulates development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics. Must pass through epididymis to become motile.
