Physiology of the male reproductive system D. Gehan Shaker Badawi (2015) – (2016)
Jan 18, 2016
Physiology of the male reproductive system
D. Gehan Shaker
Badawi
(2015) – (2016)
Specific objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
1. Mention cell types of the testis
2. Mention the functions of Sertoli cells
3. List hormones involved in gametogenesis and steroidogenesis.
4. List hormones produced by the testis & describe their functions
5. Discuss biological effects of androgen (prenatal and postnatal effect).
6. Explain the mechanism of erection.
Male Reproductive System
Male Reproductive System
1ry sex organ 2ry sex organs
1. Gametogenesis 2. Steriodogenesis
Testes Glandular System
Tubular System
Epididymis Vas deference
A single coiled tube that essential for Motility and Maturation of the sperms
Essential for: Storage of sperms (in its ampulla) Transports of sperms to ejaculatory ducts.
Seminal vesicles
Secretes mucoid viscid fluid rich in Fructose, PGs, ascorbic acid & Fibrinogen
Prostate
thin milky alkaline fluid contains plasmin, buffers, HyaluronidaseCholesterol
Bulbourethral
Secretes mucous
The testes:
Represent 1ry sex organs in male
Have 2 main functions:
Spermatogenesis i.e. formation of mature
sperms.
Steroidogenesis i.e. synthesis and secretion of male
sex hormones (testicular androgens)
Histologically
Spermatogenic cells Sortoli cells Leydig Cells
Formation of mature sperm
1. Supportive2. Protective3. Nutritive Cells
Androgens Secretion
Cells of the Testis
Sortoli cellSpermatocytes
Leydig cell
Cells of the testis
Leydig Cells
Sertoli cell
Hormonal Control of testicular cells
Hypothalamus
GnRh
Anterior Pituitary
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Sertoli Cells Interstitial Cells
TestosteroneAndrogen Binding
Protein (ABP)
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenic cells
Inhibin
Testosterone
-ve feedback
-ve feedbackMainly inhibits FSH Specifically inhibit LH
Hormonal Control of testicular cells
Hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Anterior pituitary secretes FSH and LH
FSH causes Sertoli cells to secrete:
Androgen Binding protein (ABP)
Inhibin
LH causes interstitial cells to secrete testosterone
ABP binds testosterone its half-life stimulate spermatogenesis
Control of testicular function:
by Negative FB by
1. testosterone (on (hypothalamus & ant pituitary; against LH)
2. Inhibin (on anterior pituitary against FSH)
Sortoli cells
Histology
Site
Function of Sertoli cells
Large pyramidal Non motile Non proliferating Tubular cells
line the seminiferous tubules
1. Provide mechanical support for the growing gametes.
2. Provide nutrition support for growing gametes (high content of glycogen).
1. Supportive
Means: Convert spermatids to spermatozoa Mechanism: by removal of excess cytoplasm.
2. Spermiogenesis
Means: release of sperms from Sertoli cells to lumen of seminiferous tubules
Control: under the effect of LH.
3. Spermiation
Function of Sertoli cells
Secretion of fluid, rich in K+ , HCO3-,
Essential subs for maturation of sperms.4. Secretory
Sertoli cells synthesize and secrete the following (under the effect of FSH):
1. Inhibin Hormone ---- FSH secretion
2. Estradiol from androgenic precursors.
3. Mullerian duct-inhibiting factor preventing differentiation of the female internal sex organs in the male fetus.
4. Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP) binds testosterone its half-life
5. Blood-testis barrier: Is a memb. formed by tight junctions between the bases of Sertoli cells. It has two main functions:
1. It prevents harmful subs. in the bl. from reaching seminiferous lumen.
2. It keeps immunogenic germ cells in the seminiferous tubules from entering systemic circulation.
6. They Synthesize and secrete H-Y antigen: gonadal cells to differentiate as testes.
B) Leydig Cells (interstitial cells Leydig)
Site
Time of appearance
Function
Located between seminiferous tubules (20% of testicular mass).
They appear at 7-9th week of pregnancy.
They secrete androgens:
1. In the fetal life under effect of human chorionic
gonadotropin (HCG) secreted by the placenta.
2. At puberty under effect of pituitary gonadotropins).
C) The Spermatogenic cells
The spermatogonia are nonmotile stem cells that divide during the process of spermatogenesis to form mature sperms
Spermatogenesis
Def.
Time
Site
Duration
Maturation of Sperms Occurs in epididymis (needs 18h to 10 days).
Process of formation of spermatozoa from primitive germ cells.
Starts at average of 13 year throughout whole life but ing markedly in old age (Andropause)
Needs 74 days (+ 12-21 days for transport of sperms into the ejaculatory ducts).
Seminiferous tubules.
Storage of Sperms
Occurs in the vas deferens in suppressed inactive state by multiple inhibitory factors.
Factors affecting
1. Hormonal (Hypothamamic, testosterone, & others)2. Temperature 3. Dietary4. Extrinsic
1. Hormonal Factorsa) Hypothalamic-hypophysial-testicular Axis
At puberty ++ hypothalamic LHRH ++ pituitary gonadotropins; FSH and LH.
i) Function of FSH:
1. It maintains the gametogenic functions of the testes.
2. Stimulate Growth and secretory functions of Sertoli cells.
ii) Function of LH:
Stimulate Leydig cells testosterone ++ spermatogenesis.
b) Testosterone:Stimulate growth & division of spermatogenic cells.
Needed in high conc w is maintained by:
1. Lipid solubility of the hormone.
2. Presence of Androgen-Binding Protein (from
Sertoli cells).
3. Counter current exchange: exchange of
testosterone from systemic veins into
spermatic arteries w runs parallel but in
opposite direction to each other).
Spermatic artery
Systemic veinSystemic vein
Counter current exchange
NoteCounter current system
Counter current exchanger1. Thermoregulation (testes) 2. Testosterone (testes) 3. Thermoregulation (skin)4. Vasa recta in kidneyMultiplier system:
kidney
c) Other Hormones:
1. Inhibin: ---FSH secretion by a direct effect on
ant. pituitary.
2. Activins: are formed from inhibin precursors
and ++ FSH secretion.
3. Growth h: stimulates early division of
spermatogonia.
4. Thyroid h: essential for metabolic reaction
of spermatogenesis.
2. Temperature
The optimum temp. for spermatogenesis is 35°C (i.e.< body temp.) provided by:
1. Site of the testes: in the scrotum outside abdominal cavity.
2. Scrotal skin is thin, rich in sweat glands and with little subcutanous fat.
3. Counter current system (heat exchange between spermatic art. and veins).
4. Dartos ms buffer (contracts in cold and relaxes in hot weather).
Spermatic artery
Systemic veinSystemic vein
Counter current exchange
3. Dietary factors1. Starvation gonadotropin sec
2. Vit. A def. keratinization & atrophy of spermatogenic epith.
3. Vit. C deficiency testosterone synthesis
4. Extrinsic factors Mostly inhibit spermatogenesis:
Irradiation, Hypoxia and toxins , Certain infections
e.g. mumps destroy seminiferous tubules.
We got too much…..please GOD make him finish…….
Physiological function of testosterone
During fetal life
After birth
Sexual function
Metabolic function
Differentiation
Testicular descend
a) Testosterone Major hormone produced by the Leydig cells More than 98% of it is bound to plasma proteins & 2% is unbound.
b) Dihydrotestosterone Only 20% of dihydrotestosterone is synthesized in testis. 80% from the peripheral conversion of testosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is 2 times active than testosterone.
c) Androstenedione: Important steroid precursor for blood estrogens in men.
Hormones secreted by the testis
Physiologic Effects of Testosterone
A) During the Fetal Life
1- Differentiation & development of 2ry sex organs:
Leydig cells of testes secrete testosterone at 7-9th
week of gestation ++ Wolffian duct internal
genitalia in male.
2- It helps descend of testes from abd. cavity into
scrotum during the last 2 to 3 months of pregnancy.
1- 1ry sex organ Spermatogenesis 2. 2ry sex organs Growth & enlargement.3. Control of gonadotropin secretion (-ve FB)4. Development of male sex characters: a) Hair:
Hair especially in face, on chest, axilla and around anus.
Pubic hair is triangular in appearance with apex towards umbilicus.
The hair disappears from ant. part of scalp “temporal recession”.
(1) Sexual functions
B) After Birth
2ry sex charactersb) Voice: Deep & low pitched ( thickness of vocal cords).c) Skin:
is thickened with acne formation الشباب . حبd) Body conformation
Shoulders broaden and ms enlarge.e) Behavioural changes
sexual desire & males become aggressive.
1- Protein-anabolic effect which : Ms bulk (50% in ms mass. Bone growth with deposition of Ca2+ and finally closure of epiphysis. Thickness of the skin and vocal cords. BMR by 5-10%.
2- Increased RBCs count: 3- Effect on water and electrolytes:
Moderate Na+, K+, Ca2+,& water retention. The size of the kidneys.
(2) Metabolic
Effects
Mechanism of Erection
Mechanism of Erection
The penis consists of erectile tissue made up of three columns or cords of spongelike vascular spaces
Erection is accomplished by engorgement of the penis with blood (vasocongestion).
In the absence of sexual excitation, the erectile tissues contain little blood, because their arterioles are constricted. the penis remains small and flaccid.
During sexual arousal, these arterioles reflexly dilate and the erectile tissue fills with blood, causing the penis to enlarge.
The veins that drain the erectile tissue are mechanically compressed reducing venous outflow more vasocongestion.
Erection is achieved through Erection Reflex
Parasymp plays the most important role through its strong VD on the arterioles
The chemical mediator is nitric oxide (NO) that acts through generation of cGMP
cGMP is inactivated by phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5)
Sildenafil (Viagra) inhibits PDE5 cGMP time of erection (but can’t initiate erection as it can't generate nitric oxide (NO)
Mechanism of Erection
Release of NO within the penile tissue
Generation of c GMP
Relaxation of smooth of bl vs
Dilatation arterioles & arteries
Expanding of sinusoids in corpora cavernosa
Compression of subtunical venular plexuses
Increasing of intracavernous pressure
Increased resistance to outflow from penis
MALE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE
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Erectile dysfunction or Impotence:
Failure to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse. Affect 50% of men between 40 and 70 years old. May be due to:
1. Psychological factors.2. Physical factors.
A. Nerve damageB. Medication that interfere with autonomic function C. Problem with blood flow to the penis.
Sildenafil (Vigra): prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. It does not produce an erection but it amplifies and prolongs an erectile response triggered by usual means of stimulation.
ABNORMALITIES OF TESTICULAR FUNCTION
1. Cryptorchidism:
descent of testes is incomplete, testes remain in the abdomen. Occurs in neonatal life.
1. Bilateral: Impaired Testosterone secretion and spermatogenesis.
2. Unilateral :Normal Testosterone and impaired spermatogenesis.
2. Male hypogonadism:
Clinical picture depends on whether testicular deficiency develops before or after puberty.
causes:– Testicular disease (Hypergonadotrophic Hypogonadism)– Disorder of hypothalamus or pituitary (Hypogonadotrophic
Hypogonadism)
3. Androgen secreting tumors :
Leydig cell tumors (a rare condition) leads to precocious pseudopuberty in prepubertal boys. 30
REFERENCES
Human physiology, Lauralee Sherwood, seventh edition.
Text book physiology by Guyton &Hall,11th edition.
Text book of physiology by Linda .s Costanzo, third edition.
Physiology by Berne and Levy, sixth edition.
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