Male Reproduction Process

Male reproductive process

• The male reproductive process consists
of the following:-
– Production of the male gametes /
spermatozoa ( spermatogenesis)
– The release of spermatozoa inside the
female reproductive tract in the process of
mating.
– The hormonal regulation of the processes
 Physiologic Anatomy
• Male reproductive system
consists of two essential
elements:
1. Gonads (two testes)
2. Complex array of glands &
system of ducts that support,
store, nourish, protect and
transport sperms to exterior
– Rete testes, efferent
ductules, epididymis, vas
deferens, ejaculatory ducts
– Glands
• Seminal vesicles,
From Medical Physiology by Rodney A Rhoades
& George A Turner
prostate, bulbo-urethral
 Physiologic Anatomy
• The duct system, glands
and penis
– Male accessory
reproductive system
• Embryonic stage, testes lie
– Attached to posterior
abdomen wall
– Embryo elongates during
development
– Testes move to inguinal
canal between 7th month
& birth descend through
From Medical Physiology by Rodney A Rhoades
inguinal canal into scrotum
& George A Turner
 Physiologic Anatomy
• Testes
– Suspended outside the
body in the scrotum
– NOTE: Temperature
regulation
• Special requirement
for spermatogenesis
• Optimum is 2-3
degrees celsius
below body core
temperature
From Medical Physiology by Rodney A Rhoades
& George A Turner
 Testicular thermoregulation
• The spermatic arteries to testes
– Run counter current to veins (Pampinform
plexus)
• Allow counter current exchange of
– Heat
– Testosterone
– Scrotal cresmaster muscle
• Responds to changes in ambient temperature
• Moves testes closer or further away from the
body
 Testes
Head of epididymis
• Dual functions
Ductuli efferents
1. Synthesis and secretion
Ductus
of hormones
deferens  For function & conditioning
of sex glands
2. Production of gametes,
haploid cells
(spermatozoa)
• Organization
– Scrotum, Tunica vaginalis
Seminiferous – Tunica albuginea
tubules
Tail • Thick fibrous tissue
(trilaminar smooth muscle • Several septae
investment)
Tunica albuginea • 250-300 lobules
From Hassen T Sherief : Physiology Book CD
 Seminiferous Tubules
• Each lobule contains 1-4
long convoluted tubules =
Seminiferous tubules
• Each tubule is bound by
– Basement membrane
– Layer of smooth
muscle cells
• Responsible for
peristaltic
movement of tubule
• Propel sperms
From Medical Physiology by Rodney A Rhoades
& George A Turner
 Seminiferous Tubules
• Each tubule is bound by
– Primitive spermatogenic
cells, germ cells
• Spermatogonia
– Sertoli cells
(nurse/sustentacular
cells)
• The lumen of the tubules
– Filled with fluid rich in
• Androgens, estrogens,
K+, inositol, glutamic
From Medical Physiology by Rodney A Rhoades &
acid
George A Turner
 Sertoli Cells
• Large complex cells, large
processes
Spermatid (late)
– Stretches from basal
lamina to lumen
Spermatid
(learly)
– Near the basal lamina,
there are tight junctions
Between adjacent sertoli
cells
– Forms the blood-testes-barrier
• Compartmentize the tubule
into adluminal and basal
compartment
Spermatogonia
• Prevents movement of
molecules from basal
compartment into lumen and
vice versa
From Hassen T Sherief : Physiology Book CD
 Sertoli Cells
• Basal compartment
Spermatid (late) holds spermatogonia &
adluminal holds
Spermatid spermatocytes,
(learly)
spermatids & sperms;
adluminal fluid
– Favors meiosis &
maturation
– Prevents
immunological
Spermatogonia
reaction, haploid
sperms & plasma

From Hassen T Sherief : Physiology Book CD

 Sertoli Cells
Other functions of sertoli
Spermatid (late)
cells include
• Support & nourish
Spermatid
spermatids (growth
(learly) factors)
• Synchronize the events of
spermatogenesis
– Inhibin & ABP
• Sperm maturation
process
Spermatogonia – Absorbs residual bodies.
• Spermiation, estrogen
• Secretes fluid, transport
From Hassen T Sherief : Physiology Book CD
 Pathophysiology
• Prolonged exposure of testes to elevated temperature;
fever, or thermoregulatory dysfunction
– can lead to temporally or permanent sterlility
• Failure of spermatogenesis, steriodogenesis
unaltered
• Cryptorchidism
– Testes fail to descend before 8th month or shortly
after birth (retained in abdominal/inguinal canal)
– 10% partial/complete
– Infertility
– Testicular cancer
 Pathophysiology
• Cryptorchid
– Testosterone decreased
– LH & FSH increased
– Incidence:
• at1yr (2%)
• After puberty (0.3%)
– Early treatment recommended
• Hormonal
• Surgical
• Sertoli cell syndrome only
– 10-30% male infertility
– Single gene defect or acquired; alcoholism, orchitis or toxic
agents
–
 Leydig Cells
• Between the seminiferous
tubules (in a vascular
compartment) there are
– Leydig cells (interstitial
cells)
• These secrete testosterone
into blood stream
• Normal man secretes 4 –
9mg/d (13.9 – 31.3  mol/d)
• Small amounts are also
secreted by adrenals
– Bound by ABP &
concentrated into the
avascular compartment of
seminiferous tubule for
From Medical Physiology by Rodney A Rhoades
& George A Turner spermatogenesis to occur
 Testosterone Levels at Various Ages: Males
• Secretion occurs in male fetus
before birth
• During neonatal period
– Masculinization of
reproductive tract
Plasma Testosterone

Pre- pubertal – Masculinisation of external

genitalia
– Descent of testes
• This is followed by period of
quiescence (pre-pubertal)
senescence
fe t a l

• Men in 70s generally secrete

Puberty
neonatal

Adult

60-70% as much testosterone

as that produced by men in 20s
16
 Testosterone Levels at Various Ages: Males
At puberty
• Growth and maturation of
entire male reproductive
tract
• Secondary sexual
Plasma Testosterone

Pre- pubertal characteristics

– Hair growth patterns
– Thick skin
– Deep voice
– Bone growth
senescence

– Protein anabolism effect

fe t a l

Puberty
neonatal

Adult

– Sperm production
– Libido
17
 Spermatogenesis
• This is the process by which spermatogonia stem
cells in the base of the seminiferous tubular walls
divide & differentiate to give rise to spermatozoa at
the luminal end.
• This process is made up of two main events:
– Spermatocytogenesis
– Spermiogenesis
• Spermatocytogenesis – involves differentiation of
stem cells through mitotic and meiotic cellular
divisions to give rise to young male reproductive
cells, the spermatids.
• Thus spermatocytogenesis is made up of two
cellular processes namely:
– Mitotic stage
– Meiotic stage
 The mitotic stage
• This commences with the differentiation of stem cells
located at the base of the seminiferous tubules into type
A spermatogonia, this undergo initial mitotic division to
form two types of daughter cells which are named type
Al, type A2” Spermatogonia respectively.
• While type A1 remains at the base of the tubule to
replace the parent stem cell, type A2” undergo further
mitotic division to form type A3 which in turn undergo
further division to form type A4 spermatogonia.
– Type A4 spermatogonia undergo further mitotic
division to form intermediate spermatogonia which
is turn give rise to type B spermatogonia.
– It is the type B spermatogonia which eventually
divide to form primary spermatocytes, all the above
divisions are mitotic.
 Meiotic stage of spermatocytogenesis
 Primary spermatocytes further
differentiate through meiotic cell
division which results into
– halving the chromosomal number
of the germ cells to the haploid
stage.
• This is a regulation to
maintain the normal zygotic
constitution at fertilization.
 The 1st meiotic stage
– leads to the formation of the
secondary spermatocytes
 The 2nd stage
– required to halve the
chromosomal number leading to
formation of 4 spermatids.
 Spermiogenesis
• This is the maturation of spermatids into
spermatozoa (male gametes) which
commences in the seminiferous tubules
and it is completed in the epididymis.
 Spermiogenic Processes
 Nucleus becomes condensed with
compacted nuclear material.
 Progressive thinning of cytoplasm
and cell membrane
 Golgi apparatus finalises formation of
a thick Cap, the acrosome which
contain enzymes hyaluronidase,
acrosin and other powerful
proteolytic enzymes.
 Spermatozoa tail ( flagellum)
develops into two portions; central
skeleton made up microtubules
forms the axoneme.
 A collection of mitochondria forms a
sheath surrounding the axoneme and
the whole portion becomes the body
of the tail with a membrane covering
it.
 The sperm cell
• The end result of spermiogenesis is
a streamlined sperm cell with three
major regions:
– the head
– the middle piece and
– the tail.
• The head, DNA as well as a bag of enzymes
that will help penetrate the female egg.
• The middle piece, chock full of mitochondria,
provide the energy for the lengthy swim.
• The tail, or flagellum, whip- like movements .
– Everyday a healthy adult male
produces about 200-400 million
sperms (20yrs = 6.5millions/gm/day &
50-90yrs= 3.8millions/gm/day)
 Storage of spermatozoa
 Mature spermatids are released into the lumen of
seminiferous tubule in the final stage of
spermiogenesis, and this is called spermiation.
 The vas deferens and epididymis store the sperm
until ejaculation. Sperms are non-motile at this
time.
 During passage through epididymis, they are
concentrated by fluid absorption.
 The process of maturation, from spermatogonium
to spermatozoon takes as long as 8 to 10 weeks.
 Mature sperm live in a state of suspended
animation for several months, maintaining their
ability to fertilize an egg.
 Once their life span has passed without ejaculation, they
are simply able to disintegrate and are absorbed into the
bloodstream as waste product and appropriately filtered
and excreted.
 Transport of sperms
• Transportation of spermatozoa from the tests into the
epididymis occurs by fluid movement, the fluid is
secreted from the seminiferous epithelium and rete
testes.
• Transport is further assisted by contraction of smooth
muscle in the testicular capsule and the tubular walls.
• Additionally, cilliary actions of the cells lining the
efferent ductules contribute to the transportation of
the spermatozoa to the epididymis.
• Localized contractions of the epididymal cells cause
peristaltic movement of the contents through the
epididymis.
• Transit time varies with the frequency of ejaculation,
increased frequency decrease this time preventing
complete attainment of maturity and leading to
decreased fertility
 Final maturity which occurs transit
• Acquisition of motility patterns
characteristic of the mature sperm
( lashing movement).
• Further condensation of the nuclear
material into a compact mass
• Progressive loss of water
( concentration) and increased specific
gravity.
• Backward migration of the cytoplasm
droplets and their gradual shading off.
 Epididymis
• Function
– Sperm transport: 2 -12 days; transport time
influenced by daily testicular sperm production; 2
days in men w/ high sperm counts vs. 6 days in
men w/ low sperm counts; recent emission reduces
transit time
– Sperm storage: 50% of total # of epididymal
spermatozoa are stored in Cauda (capable of
undergoing motility & have capacity to fertilize).
– Sperm motility maturation: most of the motility &
maturation takes place in the epididymis
 Ductus deferens AKA vas deferens
• Begins at epididymis
• Functions of Duct Deferens:
– Transport spermatozoa,
– Store spermatozoa (for several months)
• The junction of the ampulla with the duct of
the seminal vesicle marks the start of the
ejaculatory duct
– Ejaculatory duct is a short passageway
that penetrates the muscular wall of the
prostate gland and empties into the
urethra
 Urethra
 This passageway is used by both
urinary and reproductive systems
 This passageway begins at the urinary
bladder and ends at the tip of the penis
 Urethra divides into three regions
– Prostatic
– Membranous
– Penile
 The male sex Accessory Glands
• Semen is approximately 10% sperm and
testicular fluid, and 90% sex accessory
glandular secretions.
• There are three sex glands in the male, add
supporting secretions to the sperm suspension
– Provide volume to dilute the ejaculate and
thus contribute to lighten the thick
concentrated ejaculate.
• The vas deferens empties into the ejaculatory
duct at the level of the prostrate gland in this
region are 3 glands that add secretions to the
semen.
– Seminal vesicle
– Prostrate gland & Bulbo-urethral ( Cowper’s)
 The seminal vesicle
• The seminal vesicle contributes 60% of the semen
fluid composition.
• The seminal vesicle secretions include:
– Fructose
– A coagulating enzyme
– And prostaglandins, among other things.
• The fructose provides energy for the sperm
• The coagulating enzyme helps turn semen into a
bolus that can be readily propelled into the vagina.
• Prostaglandins decrease cervical mucus viscosity
and stimulate reverse peristalsis of the uterus and
fallopian tubes. This in return, increases the rate of
transport of sperms in female genital tract during
coitus.
 The prostate gland
• The prostate gland contributes 30% of the seminal
fluid composition
• Prostatic secretions include:
– Citrate and citric acid
– Fibrinolysin, seminal plasmin, alkaline secretion
among other chemicals

– Seminal plasmin (an antibiotic that prevents urinary tract

infection)
– Alkaline secretion helps to neutralizes acid along the urethra
and in the vagina
– Citrate is a food source and citric acid is a physiological anti
oxidant, protects the spermatozoa against oxidizing agents.
– Fibrinolysin acts to “ decoagulate” the semen, which helps
the sperm begin their journey.
 Seminal and vaginal pH
• Due to the end products of metabolism from
sperms, the fluid from vas deferens is acidic in
nature.
• Vaginal pH in females is highly acidic with a pH
between 3.5 to 4.0
• Generally sperms are non- motile at a pH below
6.0.
– The seminal gland and prostatic secretions provide an
alkaline solution ( NaHCO3) that neutralizes the acidity
of the vaginal secretions and maintains the pH of 6.0 to
6.5 ( optimum pH for the motility of sperms)
– Bulbourethral ( Cowper’s) gland as secretes an alkaline
solution that neutralizers the acidity of urine in the urethra
and vagina.
Contents & characteristics of normal Semen
• Typical ejaculate = 2-5 (Avg=3.5mls) ml fluid that contain:
– 1) Contains between 50 – 120 million spermatozoa per ml
– 2) Seminal Fluid about 60%
– 3) Prostatic Fluid about 20-30 %
– 4) Enzymes such as:
• Protease – helps dissolve mucous secretion in the
vagina
• Seminal plasmin – antibiotic enzyme that kills bacteria
• Enzymes that convert fibrinogen to fibrin that will
coagulate the semen (coagulase)
• Fibrinolysis – liquefies the clotted semen after the
virginal environment is neutralized
5) Contain 70% normal motility
6) Liquefaction=1 hr
7) 60% normal sperms & 8) pH = 7-8
 Hormonal control of
spermatogenesis
• The following hormones participate in the
process of spermatogenesis.
– GnRH
– Luteinising hormone (LH)
– Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
– Growth hormone (GH)
– Androgen hormone ( testosterone and
dihydrotestosterone)
– Estrogens
– Inhibin
 Hormonal control of spermatogenesis
• The hypothalamus release
GnRH) at puberty
subsequently, Gns released
from the anterior pituitary
gland.
– The secretion of GnRH is
episodic resulting in the
intermittent secretion of
LH in 8-14 pulses/24hrs in
adult males.
• Pulsatile secretion of FSH
also occurs but is of smaller
amplitude.
 Hormonal control of spermatogenesis
• LH stimulates the leydig (interstitial) cells to
secrete testosterone (interstitial cell
stimulating hormone, ICSH).
• Testosterone maintains spermatogenesis but
is unable to initiate the process.
• If testosterone levels rise too high,
– through negative feed back mechanism, it
begins to inhibit the release of GnRH from
the hypothalamus and FSH and LH from
the anterior pituitary.
– If sperm count rises too high, the sertoli
cells release the hormone inhibin, which
inhibits GnRH and FSH release.
• .
 Role of LH, FSH & Testosterone
• FSH in synergy with testosterone regulate
production of spermatozoa
• FSH influence sertoli cells
– Secretes androgen binding protein
(ABP)
• High binding capacity for
dihydrotestosterone &
testosterone
• Concentrates testosterone into
the seminiferous tubules &
epididymis
– Secrete growth factors for leydig cell
development
– Androgen stimulate proliferation of
developing leydig cells
• secretes estrogen under the
influence of aromatase enzyme to
regulate proliferation of leydig
cells.
 Estrogens
• Thus estrogen in males are derived
from two sources
1. Testes
• Leydig cells have androgen receptors
• Estrogen:
– Reduces proliferation & activity of the cell
– Suppress the response of leydig cells to LH
2. From peripheral conversion of testosterone &
androstenedione
• Brain, skin, liver, mammary glands adipose tissue
– Have aromatase enzyme
• Hormones and male reproductive
function
 Estrogens
• Can convert
– Testosterone & androstenedione to
• Estradiol
• Estrogen