MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM


consist of:
− the testes with the
adjoining
− epididymis,
− the vas deferens and the
− accessory sex glands:

the seminal vesicles,

the prostrate and

the bulbourethral glands
 Testes

have two
functions:
− produce the male
gametes or
spermatozoa,
− produce male
sexual hormone:
testosterone

a normal testis and adjacent

structures
 Testis/es

tunica albuginea: a thick
capsule surrounding the
testis

mediastinum testis: a conical
mass of conective tissue
from t. albuginea which
projects into the testis.

Serosa: covers the tunica
albuginea externally

fibrous septa:
− delicate connective tissue
radiating from the
mediastinum and towards
the t. albuginea
− divide the parenchyma of
the testis into about 300
lobuli testis, which
communicate peripherally
− Each lobule contains 1-4
convoluted seminiferous
tubules (about 150-300 µm
in diameter, 30-80 cm long)
 Testis

tunica vasculosa testis:
− found beneath the tunica albuginea
− a layer of loose vascular connective tissue
continuous with Interstitial tissue between the
convoluted tubules
 testes

tubulus rectus
− a straight tubule
− continuation of seminiferous tubule

rete testis,
− a labyrinthine system of cavities in the mediastinum
− continuation of tubulus rectus
 The Convoluted Seminiferous Tubules

are enclosed by a thick
basal lamina and
surrounded by 3-4 layers
of smooth muscle cells (or
myoid cells).

The insides are lined with
seminiferous epithelium,
which consists of two
general types of cells:
− spermatogenic cells
and
− Sertoli cells
 Spermatogenic cells:

Spermatogonia: are the first
cells of spermatogenesis
− Type A spermatogonia
− Type B spermatogonia

Primary spermatocytes

Secondary spermatocytes

Spermatids

Spermatozoa

Primary spermatocytes
− appear larger than
spermatogonia
− immediately enter the
prophase of the first meiotic
division, which is extremely
prolonged (about 22 days!).

Secondary spermatocytes,
− smaller than primary
spermatocytes.
− seldom seen in
histological preparations

Spermatids,
− are small (about 10 µm in diameter) with an initially
very light (often eccentric) nucleus

Spermatozoa
− mature human spermatozoon is about 60 µm long
and actively motile
− takes about 48 days from the time cells enter
meiosis until morphologically mature spermatozoa
are formed.
− it takes approximately 64 days to complete
spermatogenesis.
 Sertoli cells

far less numerous than the spermatogenic cells and are
evenly distributed between them

shape is highly irregular

extend from the basement membrane to the luminal surface
of the seminiferous epithelium

Processes extend in between the spermatogenic cells

nucleus is ovoid or angular, large and lightly stained and
often contains a large nucleolus

nucleus is oriented perpendicular to wall of the tubule

forms the blood-testis barrier

secrete two hormones - inhibin and activin - which provide
positive and negative feedback on FSH secretion from the
pituitary.
 Interstitial tissue

Leydig cells (15-20 µm), located in the interstitial
tissue between the convoluted seminiferous tubules

constitute the endocrine component of the testis.

synthesize and secrete testosterone.

occur in clusters, which are variable in size and
richly supplied by capillaries.

The cytoplasm is strongly acidophilic and finely
granular. The nucleus is large, round and often
located eccentric in the cell.
Ducts of the Testis

tubuli recti
−
low columnar epithelium

rete testis
−
flattened or cuboidal epithelium

ductuli efferentes
−
lined by a columnar epithelium, which consists of both
absorptive and ciliated cells.
−
The height of the two cells types which form the
epithelium of the ductuli efferentes is variable which gives
the lumen a characteristic wavy outline

ductus epididymidis
− about 6 m long!).
− It is lined by a very tall
pseudostratified columnar
epithelium.
− Most cells of the
epithelium, also called
principal cells, have long
stereocilia.
− also have basal cells
which regenerate the
epithelium.

middle segment of the duct: site of final
functional maturation of the spermatozoa

The terminal segment of the ductus
epididymidis is the site of storage of the mature
spermatozoa
The Vas deferens (or ductus deferens)

mucosa forms low longitudinal folds.

lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium
with long stereocilia.

lamina propria is unusually rich in elastic fibres.

muscularis is well developed (up to 1.5 mm
thick) and consists of a thick circular layer of
smooth muscle between thinner inner and outer
longitudinal layers.
− makes the vas deferens palpable in the spermatic
cord. The vas deferens is surrounded by an
adventitia, which is slightly denser than usual.
Male Accessory Reproductive Glands

consist of the seminal vesicles, the prostrate
and the bulbourethral glands.
Prostate gland
 Prostate

largest accessory sex gland in men (about 2 × 3 × 4
cm).

30 - 50 tubuloalveolar glands, which empty into 15 - 25
independent excretory ducts.

ducts open into the urethra and glands are embedded
into a fibromuscular stroma

secretion of the prostate contains citric acid, the
enzyme fibrinolysin (liquefies the semen), acid
phosphatase, a number of other enzymes and lipids.
The secretion of the prostate is the first fraction of the
ejaculate.
Seminal vesicle
 Seminal Vesicles

develop from the vas deferens

Each consists of one coiling tube

secretion constitutes 60-70 % of
the ejaculate.

The secretory product of the is
strongly acidophilic; contains large
amounts of fructose as well as
prostaglandins, flavins

The secretion of the seminal
vesicles is the third fraction of the
ejaculate
 Female Reproductive System

internal female
reproductive
organs: the
ovaries, oviducts,
uterus and vagina

external female
genitalia: labia
minora and
majora, clitoris
and vestibule
 The Ovaries

two functions - "production" and ovulation of oocytes and the
production and secretion of hormones

mesovarium: ligament of the ovary

germinal epithelium: surface covering

tunica albuginea: fibrous capsule; immediately below epithelium

divided into an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
− cortex: consists of a very cellular connective tissue
stroma in which the ovarian follicles are embedded.
− medulla: composed of loose connective tissue, which
contains blood vessels and nerves.
 The Corpus luteum

formed by both granulosa cells and thecal cells
after ovulation
The Oviduct
 The Oviduct


functions as a conduit for the oocyte, from the
ovaries to the uterus.

Histologically, consists of a mucosa and a
muscularis.

The peritoneal surface lined by a serosa and
subjacent connective tissue
 The Uterus

divided into body (upper two-thirds) and cervix.

The walls of the uterus are composed of a
− mucosal layer, the endometrium: simple columnar
epithelium with thick connective tissue; and
− a fibromuscular layer, the myometrium.
− The peritoneal surface of the uterus is covered by a
serosa.
 The Endometrium

can be divided into two zones based on their
involvement in the changes during the menstrual
cycle: the basalis and the functionalis
− The basalis is not sloughed off during menstruation
but functions as a regenerative zone for the
functionalis after its rejection.
− The functionalis is the luminal part of the
endometrium. It is sloughed off during every
menstruation and it is the site of cyclic changes in
the endometrium. These cyclic changes are divided
into a number of phases: proliferative (or follicular),
secretory (or luteal), and menstrual
 Vagina

The vagina is a
fibromuscular tube with
a wall consisting of
three layers: the
mucosa, muscularis
and adventitia
 Vagina

Mucosa: stratified squamous epithelium

Muscularis:
− Inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of
smooth muscle are present. Inferiorly, the striated,
voluntary bulbospongiosus muscle forms a
sphincter around the vagina.

Adventitia
Mammary Glands

modified glands of the skin

development resembles that of sweat glands

They are compound branched alveolar glands,
which consist of 15-25 lobes separated by dense
interlobar connective tissue and fat.

Each lobe contains an individual gland. The
excretory duct of each lobe, also called
lactiferous duct, has its own opening on the
nipple.
 lactiferous duct

two layered epithelium - basal cells are cuboidal whereas the
superficial cells are columnar

lactiferous sinus , which functions as a reservoir for the milk

Secretion of milk proteins proceeds by exocytosis (merocrine
secretion)

stimulated by prolactin

Prolactin secretion in turn is stimulated by sensory stimulation
of the nipple, which also initiates the so-called milk ejection
reflex via the secretion of oxytocin from the neurohypophysis