Introduction

Function of the reproductive system 1. Reproduction (perpetuation of species) 2. Sexual pleasure (coitus, coupling) Is it not essential for homeostasis? What are gonads and gametes? Gonads: Testis and Ovaries Function: 1. Gametogenesis: haploid cell formation 2. Endocrine function: steroid hormone synthesis
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Embryonic Development
During 7th wk of IUL, bi-potential primordial germ cells (primitive gonadal cells) are appeared. In the absence of Y-chromosome, Y-chromosom encodes protein synthesis that can direct PGC to be developed into testis. The embryonic testis secretes testosterone from Leydig cells and MIS from Sertoli cells.
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SEX CHROMOSOMs
Sex is determined genetically by two chromosomes, called the sex chromosomes XX/XY The Y chromosome is necessary and sufficient for the production of testes. The gene for sex-determining region of the Y chromosome is located near the tip of the short arm of the human Y chromosome. Male cells with the diploid number of chromosomes contain an X and a Y chromosome (XY pattern), whereas female cells contain two X chromosomes (XX pattern). When a sperm containing a Y chromosome fertilizes an ovum, an XY pattern results and the zygote develops into a genetic male. When fertilization occurs with an X-containing sperm, an XX pattern and a genetic female result.

Development of the external and internal genitalia

By the 7th wk, the embryo has a primitive female genital tract called the Mullerian duct together with a primitive male genital tract called the Wolffian duct. In the absence of functioning testis, the Wolffian duct regresses and the Mullerian duct develops into the female internal genitalia, that is the fallopian tube, uterus and the upper 2/3 of the vagina. The urogenital slit remains open and the female external genitalia developed. In the presence of a functioning testis, the MIS induces regression of the Mullerian duct. Testosterone induces the development of the Wolffian duct into the male external genitalia, ie, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate. Testosterone also induces the closure of the urogenital slit and the formation of the male external genitalia (penis and scrotum) 4

Development of the gonads cont

In genetic males, the medulla develops during the seventh and eighth weeks into a testis, and the cortex regresses. Leydig and Sertoli cells appear, and testosterone and mllerian inhibiting substance (MIS) are secreted. In genetic females, the cortex develops into an ovary and the medulla regresses. The embryonic ovary does not secrete hormones. Hormonal treatment of the mother has no effect on gonadal differentiation in humans, although it does in some experimental animals.
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Development of gonads
XY PGC
MIS: suppresses MD Testis: induce WD Testis: male ext-genitalia

XX
PGC

Embryonic testis

Embryonic ovary

Testosterone Male 1o-sexual char. Spermatogenesis Adult testis Adult ovary

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Development of genital organs

Primitive male genital tract is the Wolfian duct Developed into: Epididymis Vas deferens Seminal vesicles Prostate

Primitive female genital tract is Mullerian duct Developed into: Fallopian tube Uterus Upper 2/3 of vagina

Sex chromosomal abnormalities:

Somatic cells contain 23-pairs of chromosomes, 22-pairs of autosomes and 1-pair of sex chromosomes ie, XY or XX
Genotype XXY, XXYY, XXXY XYY Gender male Syndrome Klinefelter syndrome XYY syndrome Physical Traits Seminiferous dysgenesis (sterility), small testicles, breast enlargement normal male traits

male

XO

Female

Turner syndromes

Sex organs don't mature at adolescence, gonadal dysgenesis (sterility), short stature
tall stature, learning disabilities, limited fertility, Downs syndrome (mongolism)
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XXX

Female

Trisomy X

Diagnosis:

amniocentesis; take a sample of amniotic fluid and do genetic analysis

Developmental disorders
True hermophroditism: a person has both ovaries and testis due to xx/xy mosaicism. Sex chromosomal abnormality Female pseudohermophroditism: development of the male external genitalia 2o to exposure to high androgen after 13 wks. (due to hyperplasia of adrenal cortex of the foetus or maternal androgen excess from endogens of exogenous source). Male pseudohermphroditism: Development of the female internal or external genitalia in a genetic male when the embryo testis are defective. Defective testis cannot produce MIS. As a result the female internal 9 genitalia are developed.

Sex chromosomal abnormalities

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Functional structures of the male reproductive system

The main difference b/n the male and female depends primarily on the Y-chromosome and a pair of gonads (testis and ovaries) The male reproductive system consists of: 1. Gonads (the testis) Function: -Spermatogenesis (formation of spermatozoa) -Endocrine function (produces male sex hormone, testosterone from Leydig cells and inhibin, estrogen and MIS from Sertoli cells). 2. Accessory sex organs i. Tubular structures. These include: Epididymis: >6 mts long, area of storage and maturation of sperm. Vas deferens: transport of sperm Ejaculatory duct: Connects vas deferens with the urethra Function of the genital tract is transport of sperm

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Functional structures of the male reproductive system

ii. Accessory glands: provide fluid medium for sperm (seminal plasma) The seminal vesicle: secretes fructose rich fluid containing ascorbic acid and flavin, PGs. It produces 60% of the volume of the seminal plasma The prostate: produces an alkaline acid phosphate, proteolytic enzymes. Prostate secretion makes up 30% of the seminal plasma iii. The bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands 3. Copulatory organ (penis):

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Functional structures of the male reproductive system

Corpora cavernosa Corpus spongiosum

Vasectomy
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Testis
Within each testis there are almost 200 mt of seminiferous tubules, and these structures account for 8090% of the testicular mass. The adult testis is with a mean volume of 18.6 ml, weigh 10-45 g The average length is 4.6 cm, and the average width is 2.6 cm. The testes are located within the scrotum, which serves as a protective envelope and helps to maintain the testicular temperature approximately 2C (3.6F) below abdominal temperature. Spermatogenic epithelium (spermatogonia-germinal cells) that give rise spermatozoa. Leydig cells: secret testosterone Sertoli cells (non-germinal cells) Blood supply: Abd. Aorta gonadal arteries penile erectile tissue. Testicular a pumpniform plexuses testicular v IVC Innervation: Pudendal nerve (PNS) from the sacral plexuses
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Seminiferous tubules
Functionally the testis is made up of convoluted somniferous tubules (90% of testicular mass) In the adult average 165 m in diameter The seminiferous tubules contain: (spermatogoniac-germinal cells) that give rise to spermatozoa. Leydig cells: secrete testosterone Sertoli cells (non-germinal cells

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The male gonad (testis)

Spermatogenesis Occurs in the seminiferous tubules during active sexual life. Seminiferous tubules contain large number of germinal epithelial cells called spermatogonia. Spermatogonia are continuously proliferate and differentiate to form sperm Spermatogenesis requires 64 days in man and transport of sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct require additional 12-21 days
Seminiferous tubules Site of spermatogenesis Interstitial cells of Leydig Secret testosterone Blood vessels
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Function of Sertoli cells

1. Mechanical support and nourishement of spermatozoan 2. Secret inhibin, ABP, estrogen and MIS 3. Defense (phagocytosis), eat old sperm cells 4. Act as blood testis barrier

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Spermatogenesis (contd)
Spermatogenesis undergoes 3 phases The first step is the formation diploid primary spermatocytes from enlarged cells called spermatogonia. Spermatogonia undergo two repeated meiotic divisions after chromosomal duplication to form secondary spermatocytes

Seminiferous tubule Spermatogonium (2n) Primary spermatocytes (4n) Sertoli cells Secondary spermatocytes (2n)

Spermatids (n) Spermatozoa (n)

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Mature sperm cell

Mature sperm cells contain the head, neck and tail. Acromosomes at the head contain enzymes, hyaluronidase or proteases. Proteases are meant for effective penetration of egg during fertilization. Maturation occurs in the epididymis and requires testosterone Maturation Acromosomal development Cytoplasmic reduction Flagellar growth Discharge of organelles Condensation of nucleus
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Head

Neck

Tail

Factors affecting spermatogenesis

A. Hormones Pituitary gonadotropic hormones FSH: -Stimulates Sertoli cells to produce ABP -Facilitates spermatogenesis LH: -Stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone Inhibin: -Inhibits the release of FSH T3/T4: Required for the normal process of Prolactin spermatogenesis B. Temperature: an optimum testicular temperature is 3235oC. In case of undescended testis, cryptorchidism no spermatogenesis occurs, infertility b/c BT arrests sperm
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Factors affecting spermatogenesis (contd)

Testicular temperature adjusting mechanisms: 1. Testicular muscles: Dartos muscle and cremaster muscle 2. Arteriovenus anastomosis (counter-current mechanism) 3. Lack of adipose tissue in the scrotal skin, abundant sweat glands C. Diet: -Vit-A (deficiency leads to keratinization of the SNT) -Vit-B12 and folic acid (for DNA, RNA synthesis) -Vit-E (deficiency results in degeneration of seminefrous tubules) D. Chemicals: alcohol, drugs, hypoxia, bacterial toxins, cocaine F. Irradiation: X-ray, atomic radiation
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Seminal fluid
Semen is the fluid ejaculated during the male sexual act. It is made up of spermatozoa and the seminal plasma which is the combined secretion of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. An average volume per ejaculation is 2-5 ml with 108 sperms/ml. 50% of men have sperm count 20-40x106/ml. <20x106/ml are sterile Function Vehicle for sperm Diluent Motility Buffering medium Energy source

Seminal plasma

Secreted by Epididymis Seminal vesicles Prostate Cowpers gland

Its volume and composition depends on testosterone

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Normal semen: semenalisis

Volume: 2-5 ml pH: 7.2-7.8 Colour: Gray-white-yellow Sperm count: 30-250 million/ml Sperm motility: >50% after 1 hr, >40% after 3 hrs Sperm morphology: >50% normal Chemical composition Zn > 75 g/ml ( a marker for prostate) Mg >70 g/ml Fructose >1200 g/ml markers for PGE1 & PGE2 >30-200 g/ml SV function Acid phosphate >100-300 g/ml Citric acid >3 mg/ml Carnitin >250 g/ml Glcerylphosphorylcholine >650 g/ml (GPC= marker for epididymal function) 23

Hormonal regulation of male reproduction

OC

GnRH MB

Gonadotropes
LH FSH PRL

Interstitial cells of Leydig Testosterone 0.65g/dl

Spermatogenesis Sertoli cells MIS Inhibin ABP Estradiol

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Testosterone
1. Secreted by the interstitial cells of Leydig under the influence of LH. LH acts via cAMP to stimulate testosterone synthesis 2. Fetal testosterone secretion is stimulated by placental chorionic gonadotropic hormone 3. Concentration of testosterone within the testis is very high b/c of the following reasons: a. It is locally produced and utilized there (paracrin action) b. Counter- current mechanism exists for testosterone b/n testicular arteries and veins c. Sertoli cells under the influence of FSH produce ABP which aids to concentrate testosterone in the testis.
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Function of testosterone
1. Determines the primary sexual characteristics. During IUL, testosterone initiates PGC to develop into the male genital structures. 2. Descending of testis (deficient production = cryptorchidism) 3. Determines secondary sexual characteristics During puberty hypothalamus produces GnRH that stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to produce LH and FSH, which intern stimulate testis for spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion. Testosterone is essential for the onset of male pubertal changes.
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Function of testosterone (contd)

4. It stimulates the brain to develop the male sexual behavior and set up. 5. Spermatogenesis: It stimulates spermatogenesis and required for sperm maturation 6. General metabolic effect: It is a protein anabolic hormone, increases muscle mass and bone matrix. 7. It facilitates fusion of epiphysal plates of bone. 8. Has erythropoietic effect
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Male sexual act

Has 3 stages: 1. Erection: -It is definitely a cardiovascular phenomena. -Controlled by nerve ergentis. -It is initiated by psychic, visual or tactile stimulations. Mechanism: Parasympathetic stimulation Dilation of penile arteries Entry of large volume blood to the arteries compresses the veins (outlets) Venous occlusion Stiffening of erectile tissues (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) Erection What does viagra do? 2. Orgasm: emission and ejaculation. It is the ejection of seminal plasma containig spermatoyoa out of the male ductile system. Sympathetic stimulation to the smooth muscles of epididymis, vas deferens, prostate and seminal vesicles result emission, whereas, contraction of urethral sk/muscles results in ejuculation 3. Resoraction (detumiscence): reversion of erection, sympathetic stimulation constricts arteries, blood leaves the erectile tissues, penis become flaccid 28

Physiological changes during male sexual act

HR BF MR CO ABP Energy out put Stimulation of the CNS Hyperventilation Sympathetic stimulation Sexual flash Emotional excitement Sensation of pleasure Problems associated with the male sexual act Premature ejaculation Spinal damage Absence of emission Diabetic neuropathy Impotence: failure of erection Hypotension Periapism: persistent erection Testicular failure

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Causes of male sterility

Congenital absence of testis Cryptorchidism Infection with STD Destruction of the seminiferous tubules Irradiation Oligospermia, azoospermia, asthenospermia, amotile sperm Drugs, alcohol, smoking Impotence Hypogonadism Genetic defects Functional disorders of prostate and seminal vesicles Genital tract obstruction Spermatogenesis arrest due to hypovitaminosis Testicular failure 30

Causes of abnormal semen

Occupational hazard Heat Radiation Testicular injury Chemicals

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