Histology of male

reproductive system
By
Dr C.M. Okeke

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 Introduction
• The male reproductive system is composed of the
Testes
genital ducts
accessory glands
penis

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 Introduction cont’d
• Testes produces hormones (Testosterone) and spermatozoa
Testosterone (and its metabolite, dihydortestosterone) are
responsible for sexual differentiation during fetal
development, development of secondary sexual
characteristics and spermatogenesis
• The genital ducts and accessory glands produce secretions
which help to nourish and transport the spermatozoa
Spermatozoa and the secretions of the genital ducts and
accessory glands make up the semen

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 Testes
• Each testis (testicle) is surrounded by a capsule of dense
connective tissue called the tunica albuginea
• The tunica albuginea is thickened on the posterior side of the
testis to form the mediastinum testis
• Fibrous septa runs from the mediastinum testis to penetrate
the testis and divide it into about 250 pyramidal
compartments (testicular lobules)
• Each lobule is occupied by one to four seminiferous tubules

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 Testes cont’d
• The seminiferous tubules are surrounded by
interstitial loose connective tissue that contains blood
vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and interstitial
(Leydig) cells
Seminiferous tubules produce spermatozoa
Interstitial or Leydig cells secrete testicular androgens
(testosterone)

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 Seminiferous Tubules
• Each testicle has about 250 lobules
• Each lobule has 1 to 4 seminiferous tubules
• Each seminiferous tubule measures about 150–250
µm in diameter and 30–70 cm in length
• Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules at a
rate of about 2 x 108 per day in the adult male

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 Seminiferous tubules cont’d
• Each seminiferous tubule is convoluted.
• It is linked to the rete testis by the straight tubule,
which is narrower
• Rete testis are channels located in the mediastinum
testis
• The rete testis is connected to the head of the
epididymis by 10 to 20 efferent ductules

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M – mediastinum testis
RT- rete testis
ST- seminiferous tubule
S – Straight tubule

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 Seminiferous tubules cont’d
• Each seminiferous tubule is lined with a specialized stratified
epithelium called germinal or seminiferous epithelium
• The basement membrane of this epithelium contain smooth
muscle which allow weak contractions of the tubule to propel
spermatozoa
• The seminiferous epithelium consists of two types of cells:
non-dividing supporting (sustentacular or Sertoli cells)
proliferative cells of the spermatogenic lineage, which
undergoes cell division to become spermatozoa
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 Genital Ducts
• Genital ducts include:
Epididymis
ductus (vas) deferens
urethra
• They transport sperm from the epididymis to the penis
during ejaculation.

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 Genital ducts: Epididymis
• Epididymis has a head, body, and tail
• The head receives the efferent ductules, while the tail
opens into the ductus (vas) deferens
• Epididymis stores sperms. It is also a site where
sperms undergo maturation (spermiogenesis)
• The epididymal duct is lined with pseudostratified
columnar epithelium, with microvilli called stereocilia

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 Epididymis cont’d
• The epithelial cells of the epididymal duct absorb
water and participate in the uptake and digestion of
residual bodies produced during spermiogenesis
• The basement membrane of epididymis contain
smooth muscle cells whose contraction helps to
propel sperm

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 Ductus (vas) deferens
• Ductus deferens is a long straight tube that empties into the
prostatic urethra
• It is characterized by a narrow lumen and a thick layer of
smooth muscle
• The mucosa is folded longitudinally and is lined by
pseudostratified columnar epithelium with sparse stereocilia

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 Ductus deferens cont’d
• The muscle layer has three layers: inner longitudinal,
middle circular and outer longitudinal layers
• The muscles produce strong peristaltic contractions
during ejaculation which rapidly move sperm along
this duct from the epididymis to the prostatic urethra

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 Accessory Glands
• The accessory glands of the male reproductive tract
produce secretions that are added to sperm to form semen
• It includes
seminal vesicles
prostate gland
bulbourethral glands
• The secretions of the accessory glands are dependent on
testosterone
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 seminal vesicles
• The paired seminal vesicles consist of highly tortuous tubes
about 15 cm in length
• The mucosa is thrown into complex folds and are lined with
simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells
• The wall contain inner circular and outer longitudinal layers
of smooth muscle
• Secretions of seminal vesicle make up about 70% of the
ejaculate and provide nutrient energy sources for the sperm
• Secretions of seminal vesicles are dependent on testosterone

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 Prostate gland
• The prostate gland surrounds the urethra just below the
bladder
• It measures 2 cm x 3 cm x 4 cm in size and weighs about 20 g
and has a capsule
• It consists 30–50 branched tubuloalveolar glands, which are
surrounded by a dense fibromuscular stroma

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 Prostate gland cont’d
• The glands are arranged in concentric layers around
the urethra:
the inner layer of mucosal glands
an intermediate layer of submucosal glands,
a peripheral layer with the prostate's main glands

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 Prostate gland cont’d
• The prostate has three zones, corresponding to the glandular
layers:
The transition zone occupies about 5% of the prostate
volume, surrounds the prostatic urethra, and contains the
mucosal glands emptying directly into the urethra
The central zone occupies 25% of the gland's volume and
contains the submucosal glands with longer ducts
The peripheral zone occupies about 70% of the prostate and
contains the main glands with still longer ducts

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 Prostate gland cont’d
• The tubuloalveolar glands of the prostate are lined by
a simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium
• The structure and function of the prostate depend on
the level of testosterone

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 Bulbourethral glands
• Also called Cowper's glands
• The paired bulbourethral glands are located in the
urogenital diaphragm and empty into the proximal
part of the penile urethra
• The gland multi-lobulated

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 Bulbourethral glands cont’d
• Its secretory units are lined by a mucus-secreting
simple columnar epithelium which is dependent on
testosterone
• The septa between lobules contain smooth muscle
cells
• During erection the bulbourethral glands release a
clear mucus-like secretion which lubricates the
urethral lining in preparation for the imminent
passage of sperm
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 Penis
• The penis is made up of
three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue (2 corpora
cavernosa and corpus spongiosum)
the penile urethra
 and skin covering
• The two corpora cavernosa lie dorsal
• The corpus spongiosum is ventral and surrounds the
urethra

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 Penis cont’d
• The 3 cylindrical masses are covered by a resistant layer of
dense connective tissue, the tunica albuginea
• The corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum are both
composed of erectile tissues, which contains a large number
of venous cavernous spaces lined with endothelial cells
• These venous spaces are separated by trabeculae of
connective tissue fibers and smooth muscle cells

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 Penis cont’d
• At the end of penis, the corpus spongiosum expands,
forming the glans
• The penile urethra is lined with pseudostratified columnar
epithelium, except in the area of the glans
• The penile urethra in the glans is lined with stratified
squamous epithelium continuous with that of the thin
epidermis covering the glans
• Small mucus-secreting urethra glands are found along the
length of the penile urethra

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 Penis cont’d
• The erectile tissues have rich blood supply
• Penile erection involves filling the cavernous spaces of
the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum with
blood, which is under control of autonomic nerves

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