Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System Chapter 3 ANSC 308

Testicle begins development in mesonephric region of the embryo and is pulled, by the gubernaculum, along with a fold of the peritoneum into the scrotal region Location outside of the body cavity is important for temperature control, testicle must be 2-4 deg. below body temperature for sperm production Temperature control Spermatic cord Spermatic artery Pampiniform plexus Deferent duct (vas deferens) Cremaster muscle Scrotal sac Location Thermosensors in skin Sweat glands Insulation Tunica dartos

Male Tubular System Seminiferous tubules Rete tubules Epididymis Head Body Tail Ductus deferens (vas deferens) Urethra Accessory Glands Ampulla Vesicular glands seminal vesicles Prostate gland Disseminate Corpus Bulbourethral gland

Sertoli Cells (nurse cells) Receptors for FSH & testosterone Produce – androgen binding protein - sulfated glycoproteins - transferin - inhibin Junctional complexes Leydig Cells (interstitial cells) Receptors for LH Produce Testosterone Spermatogonia – division by mitosis Spermatocytes – division by meiosis Intercellular bridges Seminiferous Tubule – cross section

Epididymis Rete Testis Head – not motile - proximal cytoplasmic droplet Body – gain motility - cytoplasmic droplet moves distal Tail – progressive forward motility - rotational movement - only a few distal cytoplasmic droplets - fertile potential - primary storage site Ejaculation