PHYL2001 Study Guide - Final Guide: Infertility, Endorphins, Nandrolone
Male Reproduction
Hormonal Control of Reproduction in Males:
• Male reproductive functions
o Production of sperm
o Secretion of sex hormones
o Transport of sperm from male to female
Spermatogenesis:
• Production of sperm
• Commences after puberty
• Takes place in seminiferous tubules
• Tubules bounded by basement membrane and smooth muscle to provide
peristalsis
• Contain
o Spermatogenic cells → divide and differentiate into mature sperm
o Sertoli cells
▪ Line seminiferous tubules
▪ Connected by tight junction → separate basal and antral
compartments
▪ Prevents chemicals and hormones in the blood form
entering the lumen of seminiferous tubules
▪ Synthesise and secrete seminiferous tubular fluid which
contains androgen-binring protein
▪ Secrete stimulatory and inhibitory hormones
▪ Phagocytize defective sperm
• Sperm originate from reproductive sperm cells → spermatogonia
• Spermatogenic cells move away from basement membrane of
seminiferous tubules towards tubule lumen
• Mature sperm are expelled into lumen of tubule
• Takes 70-80 days
• Until sperm maturation is complete, spermatocytes share cytoplasm by
cytoplasmic bridges
• Permit exchange of cytoplasmic constituents
• Allow spermatocytes with Y chromosome (15 genes) to receive cellular
products essential for sperm development coded for on X chromosome
(1000s of genes)
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