Histology of the Male Histology of the Male Reproductive SystemReproductive System

(Repro 5)(Repro 5)

PROF. DR. FAUZIAH OTHMANPROF. DR. FAUZIAH OTHMAN

DEPT OF HUMAN ANATOMYDEPT OF HUMAN ANATOMY

Contents Contents

• Histology of testesHistology of testes

• Histology of vas deferensHistology of vas deferens

• Histology of seminal vesicleHistology of seminal vesicle

• Histology of prostate glandHistology of prostate gland

• Histology of the Bulbourethral glandHistology of the Bulbourethral gland

Histology of testesHistology of testes

•Tunica albuginea-• dense white fibrous capsule• composed of dense irregular connective tissue, •forming septa that divide each testis into series internal compartments called lobules.

Spermatogenesis in seminiferous Spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubulestubules

Seminiferous tubulesSeminiferous tubules

• Stratified germinal epitheliumStratified germinal epithelium

• Surrounded by a layer CT with Surrounded by a layer CT with fibroblast and an inner basement fibroblast and an inner basement membrane (bm).membrane (bm).– Consist: Supporting (Consist: Supporting (Sertoli cellSertoli cell))

Slender, elongated cells with irregular outlines Slender, elongated cells with irregular outlines that extend from the bm.that extend from the bm.

Primary spermatocytesPrimary spermatocytes SpermatocytesSpermatocytes SpermatidsSpermatids

SpermatogenesisSpermatogenesis

• Process where the spermatogenic cells in Process where the spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubules divide, the seminiferous tubules divide, differentiate, and produce sperm.differentiate, and produce sperm.

• 3 phases3 phases– Mitotic division of spermatogoniaMitotic division of spermatogonia– Meiotic division of spermatocytes, somatic Meiotic division of spermatocytes, somatic

chromosome no. – spermatidschromosome no. – spermatids– Spermiogenesis morphological transformation Spermiogenesis morphological transformation

spermatids sperm.spermatids sperm.

Testes produce both Testes produce both testosterone and spermtestosterone and sperm• LH and FSH are produced by the pituitary gland.LH and FSH are produced by the pituitary gland.

• LH binds to receptors on the interstitial cells LH binds to receptors on the interstitial cells ((Leydig cellsLeydig cells) and stimulate ) and stimulate testosteronetestosterone..

• FSHFSH stimulates stimulates Sertoli cellsSertoli cells to synthesize and to synthesize and release ABP (androgen-binding protein) into release ABP (androgen-binding protein) into seminiferous tubules to stimulate seminiferous tubules to stimulate spermatogenesisspermatogenesis. .

• ↑↑ concentration of concentration of testosteronetestosterone essential for essential for proper proper spermatogenesis.spermatogenesis.

Sertoli cellsSertoli cells

• Supportive cells in the seminiferous Supportive cells in the seminiferous tubules located among the tubules located among the spermatogenic cellsspermatogenic cells

•Fx: physical support, protection and nutrition Fx: physical support, protection and nutrition of the developing sperm (spermatids)of the developing sperm (spermatids)

•Phagocytosis of cytoplasm developing sperm Phagocytosis of cytoplasm developing sperm (spermatids)(spermatids)

•Produce and release ABP. Produce and release ABP.

Seminiferous tubule, straight Seminiferous tubule, straight tubules, rete testis & ductuli tubules, rete testis & ductuli efferentesefferentes

Ductuli efferentes of the ductus epididymisDuctuli efferentes of the ductus epididymis

Histology of vas Histology of vas deferensdeferens

Vas deferensVas deferens

• A narrow and irregular lumen with longitudinal A narrow and irregular lumen with longitudinal mucosal folds.mucosal folds.

• Psuedostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.Psuedostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.

• Thin lamina propriaThin lamina propria• consists of compact colagen fibers and fie net work of consists of compact colagen fibers and fie net work of

elastic fibers.elastic fibers.

• Thick muscularis Thick muscularis • 3 SM layers3 SM layers

– Inner longitudinal Inner longitudinal – Middle circularMiddle circular– Outer longitudinalOuter longitudinal

• Adventitia.Adventitia.• Abundant of blood vesselsAbundant of blood vessels

Ampulla of the vas deferensAmpulla of the vas deferens

• Terminal portion of the vas deferens Terminal portion of the vas deferens enlarges into an ampullaenlarges into an ampulla

• Lumen of ampulla larger than vas Lumen of ampulla larger than vas deferens.deferens.

• Numerous irregular branching mucosal foldsNumerous irregular branching mucosal folds• Deep glandular diverticula or cryptsDeep glandular diverticula or crypts• Simple columnar or cuboidal epithelium.Simple columnar or cuboidal epithelium.

• Lamina propriaLamina propria• 3 layers of SM 3 layers of SM

• Thin inner longitudinalThin inner longitudinal• Thick middle circular Thick middle circular • Thin outer longitudinalThin outer longitudinal

Ampulla of the vas deferensAmpulla of the vas deferens

Accessory reproductive Accessory reproductive glandsglands• Seminal vesicles Seminal vesicles

• Yellowish viscous fluid high in fructoseYellowish viscous fluid high in fructose• Energy source for sperm motilityEnergy source for sperm motility• Produce most fluid found in semenProduce most fluid found in semen

• Prostate glandProstate gland• Porduce thin, watery slightly acidic fluidPorduce thin, watery slightly acidic fluid• The enzyme fibrinolysin liquefies the semen after ejaculation.The enzyme fibrinolysin liquefies the semen after ejaculation.

• Bulbourethral glandsBulbourethral glands• Produce clear, viscid, mucus-like secretion during erotic Produce clear, viscid, mucus-like secretion during erotic

stimulationstimulation• As lubricant for thr penile urethra.As lubricant for thr penile urethra.

Histology of seminal vesicleHistology of seminal vesicle

Glandular epithelium of seminal vesicles Glandular epithelium of seminal vesicles normally variesnormally varies

low pseudostratified, low low pseudostratified, low columnar or columnar or cuboidal.cuboidal.

Prostate gland & prostate Prostate gland & prostate urethraurethra

• Prostate glandProstate gland•Prostetic urethraProstetic urethra

– Psuedostratified epitheliumPsuedostratified epithelium

•Glandular acini vary in sizeGlandular acini vary in size•Lumina of acini normally wide and irregularLumina of acini normally wide and irregular

– Protrusion of epithelium-covered connective Protrusion of epithelium-covered connective tissue foldstissue folds

– Proteinaceous secretions sometimes prostatic Proteinaceous secretions sometimes prostatic concretions.concretions.

– Glandular epithelium simple-columnar or psuedot Glandular epithelium simple-columnar or psuedot Fibromuscular stromaFibromuscular stroma

– Characteristic feature of prostate glandCharacteristic feature of prostate gland SM bundles and CT fibers blend together in SM bundles and CT fibers blend together in

the stroma throughout the gland.the stroma throughout the gland. ratified, cells lightly stain, some region ratified, cells lightly stain, some region

squamous or cuboidal.squamous or cuboidal.

Histology of prostate glandHistology of prostate gland

Histology of the Bulbourethral Histology of the Bulbourethral glandgland