Histology Male Reproductive System

Dr. Fernando J. Peraldo

The Male Reproductive System

TESTES Genital ducts intratesticular: tubuli recti, rete testes, ductuli efferentes excretory: ductus epididymidis, ductus (vas) deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra accessory glands: seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral gland, penis

Testes

Testes
Male gonads, paired organs lying in the scrotal sac Responsible for production of male gametes, spermatozoa and secretion of male sex hormones Surrounded by thick capsule of collagenous connective tissue, the tunica albuginea

Testes

Suspended in the scrotum and carries serous sac, the tunica vaginalis derived from the investing layer of peritoneum Divided by collagenous septa into about 250 testicular lobules each with one to four highly convoluted tubes, the seminiferous tubules

Seminiferous Tubules

Convoluted tubules lined with a complex stratified epithelium Terminates in short segments, known as straight tubules or tubuli recti

Layers
Tunic of fibrous connective tissue consists of several layers of fibrolasts 2. Basal lamina adhering to it are flattened cells, myoid cells 3. Germinal epithelium consists of two types of cells: sertoli cells and cells that constitute the spermatogenic lineage
1.

The Germinal or Seminiferous Epithelium

1. Sertoli Cells

Rest on the basement, cytoplasm extends to the lumen of the tubules Fills the narrow spaces between the spermatogenic series Elongated pyramidal cells with oval nucleus with numerous unfoldings and prominent nucleolus

1. Sertoli Cells

Cytoplasm: contains abundant SER, some RER, well developed golgi complex, numerous mitochondria and lysosomes Adjacent cells bound together by occluding junction

Functions
1.

2. 3.

4.

Support, protection and nutritional regulation of the developing spermatozoa Phagocytosis thru action of lysosomes Secretion fluid used for sperm transport, ABP, converts testosterone to estradiol, and inhibin Production of the anti-mullerian hormone

2. Cells of the Spermatogenic Series

A.

Spermatogonia (germ cells) Found in basal layer Of two types: stem cells (Type A spermatogonia) spermatogonia committed to meiosis (Type B spermatogonia)

Type A Spermatogonia Type B Spermatogonia Nucleus Large or oval Relatively small Chromatin Condensed Dispersed

Nucleolus
Nuclear vacuole

Associated with nuclear membrane Prominent

Centrally located
Absent

B. Primary Spermatocytes

Recognized by their copious cytoplasm and large nuclei containing coarse clumps or thin threads of chromatin IN EM, dividing cells can be seen Enters 1st meiotic division Largest cells of the series and are characterized by presence of chromosomes in various stages of the coiling process within their nuclei.

C. Secondary Spermatocytes

Less commonly seen in sections of the testes Short-lined cells, remain in the interphase very briefly and quickly enters the second meiotic division

D. Spermatids

Cells that result from the division of the secondary spermatocytes Undergo long maturation process known as spermiogenesis Small size cells, nuclei with areas of condensed chromatin and less granular cytoplasm

Spermiogenesis
1. 2. 3. 4.

Complex process of differentiation that includes: Formation of acrosome Condensation and elongation of the nucleus Development of the flagellum Loss of the much of the cytoplasm End result: formation of spermatozoon

E. Spermatozoa

Extremely elongated cell (about 65 um long) Main components: head, neck, and tail

Main Components of the Spermatozoon

1.

Head Basic structural feature, consists primarily by condensed nuclear chromatin Flattened, pear-shaped Anterior two thirds of nuclear, surrounded by acrosomal cap-flattened membrane-bound vesicle containing glycoproteins and hydrolytic enzymes principally hyaluronidase

Main Components of the Spermatozoon

2.

Neck Very short segment connecting the head with tail Contains vestiges of centrioles, that give rise to axoneme of the flagellum, surrounded by several condensed fibrous rings

Main Components of the Spermatozoon

3.

a.

Tail divided into middle piece, principal piece and end piece Middle piece proximal part, thickened portion containing aggregates of mitochondria consists of flagellar axonemes surrounded by fibrous CT around longitudinally

Main Components of the Spermatozoon

b. c.

Principal piece constitute most of the tail length End piece short tapering portion of the tail containing axoneme only Both principal piece and end piece are responsible for flagellar motion via interaction among microtubules, ATP and dynein

Interstitial Tissue

Interstitial Tissue

Space between seminiferous tubules Filled with accumulations of connective tissue, nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels

Leydig Cells

Principal cell type Rounded or polygonal in shape with central nucleus and an eosinophilic cytoplasm rich in small lipid droplets Occur simply or in clumps embedded in the rich plexus of blood and lymph capillaries Produce the male hormone TESTOSTERONE

The Genital Ducts

A.

1.

Intratesticular Genital Ducts: Tubuli recti, rete testes, ductuli efferentes Tubuli Recti Straight tubules Recognized by gradual loss of spermatogenic cells Initial segment contains only Sertoli cell, then main segments consisting of cuboidal epithelium supported by dense CT. Empty into rete testes

2. Rete Testes

Contained within the mediastinum, thickening of tunica albuginea Highly anastomotic channels lined with cuboidal epithelium with surface microvilli and a single flagellum

3. Ductuli Efferent

Convoluted ducts that connect rete testes and epididymis Lined by single layer of alternating tall columnar ciliated and short columnar non ciliated Surrounded by a single circularly arranged smooth muscle

B. Excretory Genital Ducts

1.

Epididymis Single, highly coiled tube with surrounding connective tissue and blood vessels Tube of smooth muscle lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia Function: accumulation, storage, and maturation of spermatozoa

B. Excretory Genital Ducts

B. Excretory Genital Ducts

2.

Ductus deferens Thick-walled, muscular tube consisting of inner and outer longitudinal layers separated by a circular layer of smooth muscle Lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia

B. Excretory Genital Ducts

Forms part of the spermatic cord Has a distal dilated portion called ampulla that receives duct draining the seminal vesicle forming the short ejaculatory duct

B. Excretory Genital Ducts

3. 4.

Ejaculatory duct Segment entering the prostate Ductus deferens + duct of seminal vesicle Urethra Prostatic urethrae: lined by transitional epithelium receives the ductus deferens Penile urethrae: lined by stratified or pseudo stratified columnar epithelium

Accesory Glands
1.

Seminal vesicle

Accesory Glands
1.

Seminal vesicle Consists of 2 highly tortous tubes, each is a complex of glandular diverticulum of associated ductus deferens Has folded mucosa lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium rich in secretory granules

Accesory Glands
1.

Seminal vesicle Secretion: alkaline fluid containing spermatozoaactivating substances such as fructose, inositol, citrate and several proteins and Vitamin C (about half of the total volume of seminal fluid) Lamina propria: rich in elastic fibers and surrounded by thin layer of smooth muscle, supplied by sympathetic nervous system.

Accesory Glands
2.

Prostate Large gland which surrounds the bladder neck and the first part of the urethra Tubulo alveolar glands whose ducts empty into prostatic urethra Invested by fibro elastic capsule from which incomplete septa extend in toward the central stroma dividing the glands into poorly defined lobules

3 Groups of Glands
1.

2.
3.

Main prostatic glands constitute the bulk of the organ, occupy the peripheral 2/3 and drain via long ducts Submucosal glands occupy the inner third of the gland drain via short ducts into urethral sinuses Mucosal glands innermost group of glands very small, not usually visible to in low magnification; open directly into the urethra over its whole surface

Prostate

Epithelium: psedostratified columnar or cuboidal with basally located nuclei and poorly stained cytoplasm Secretory product: thin and milky rich in citric acid and hydrolytic enzymes which makes up about half of the seminal fluid volume

Accesory Glands
3.

Bulbourethral glands (Cowpers glands) Located proximal to the membranous portion of urethra Tubuloalveolar glands lined with mucus secreting simple cuboidal epithelium Secreted mucus is clear and acts as a lubricant

Penis

Consist mainly of 3 cylindrical masses of erectile tissues: corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum Covered by resistant layer of dense connective tissue

Penis

Epithelium: penile urethra is lined with pseudo stratified columnar but becomes stratified squamous in the glans penis Glands of Littre: found through out the length of the urethra Arterial supply: internal pudendal arteries

End of Lecture

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