Chapter 18 - Spermatogenesis

Chapter 18 - Spermatogenesis


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Terms to Know in This Chapter:

spermatogenesis [spur mat oh GIN eh siss]

spermatogonium (sing.) [spur mat oh GONE ee um]
spermatogonia (pl.) [spur mat oh GONE ee ah]

primary spermatocyte [spur MAT oh site] secondary spermatocyte
spermatid [spur mah TID] sperm
testis (sing.) [TESS tiss]
testes (pl.) [TESS tees]		 scrotum (sing.) [SCROW tum]
scrota (pl.) [SCROW tah]

epididymis (sing.) [ep eh DID eh miss]
epididymes [ep eh DID eh mees]

 vas deferens (sing.) [vass DEFF err rens]
vas deferentia (pl.) vas deff eh REN she ah]
seminiferous tubule [sim eh NIFF err us] inguinal canal [in GWY nul]
inguinal hernia [HER knee ah]

cryptorchidism [kryp tore KIDE iz um]
head midpiece
tail mitochondrion (sing.) [my toe CON dree um]
mitochondria (pl.) [my toe CON dree ah]
acrosome (sing.) [ACK row zome] centriole (sing.) [SIN tree ole]
lysosome [LIE so zome] hyaluronidase [high ah lure ON eh daze]
corona radiata (sing.) [kah ROAN ah] [ray dee AH tah]
coronae radiata (pl.) [kah ROAN ee] 		zona pellucida (sing.) [ZONE ah] [peh LOU seh dah]
zonae pellucida (pl.) [ZONE ee]
seminal vesicle (sing.) [SIM eh nul]

ejaculatory duct [eh JACK you lah tore ee]
Cowper's gland bulbourethral gland [bul bo you REE thul]
ureter (sing.) [YOUR eh tur] urinary bladder [YOUR eh nare ee]
urethra (sing.) [you REE thrah]
urethrae (pl.) [you REE three]		 prostate (sing.) [PRAH state]
prepuce [PREY puce] foreskin
glans penis [GLANS] [PEE niss] smegma [SMEG mah]
cremaster [kree MASS tur] gubernaculum (sing.) [goo bur NACK you lum]
gubernacula (pl.) [goo bur NACK you lah]
Interstitial Cells of Leydig [in tur STEH shul] [LIE dig] Sertoli cells [sir TOLL ee]
semen [SEE men] fructose [FRUCK tose]
alkaline [AL kah line] fibrinogen [fie BRIN oh gin]
prostaglandin (sing.) [pross tah GLAND in] ascorbic acid [ah SCORB ik]
gonorrhea [gon oh REE ah] testosterone [tess TOSS tur on]
frenulum [FREN you lum] orgasm [or GAZ um]
corona sebaceous [seh BAY shus]
circumcision [SIR cum SIZ on corpus cavernosa (sing.) [CORE pus] [cav ah NOE sah]
corpora cavernosa (pl.) [CORE pore ah]

corpus spongiosum (sing.) [sponge ee OH sum]
corpora spongiosum (pl.)

deep artery
dorsal vein dorsal artery
dorsal nerve vasoconstriction [vaze oh con STRICK shun]
vasodilation [vaze oh die LAY shun] hypothalamus (sing.) [high poe THAL ah mus]
hypothalami (pl.) [high poe THAL ah me]
pituitary gland (sing.) [peh TO eh tare ee] gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
[go nad oh TROW pin]
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) [FOLL eh kul] interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH)
lutenizing hormone [LEW teh nize ing] pineal gland [PEE knee ul]
gonad (sing.) [GO nad] libido [leh BEAD oh]
coitus [KOY eh tuss] coition [co EEH shun]
intercourse excitement
plateau resolution
myotonia [my oh TONE ee ah] emission
expulsion fibrinolysin [fie brin oh LIE sin]
inhibin [in HIB in]  

People You Need to Know:

William Masters Virginia Johnson
Alfred Kinsey  

What You Need to Know:


You should be able to:
  1. explain spermatogenesis in males,
  2. name the parts of a sperm cell and explain the significance of the acrosome,
  3. describe and label the anatomy of the male reproductive system and give the number of each structure in the male, i.e. number of seminal vesicles,
  4. explain the function of Sertoli cells and Interstitial Cells of Leydig,
  5. explain the function of the scrotum in males,
  6. discuss circumcision in males, particularly the pros and cons,
  7. describe the process for the testes descending into the scrotum, what happens when one or both do not descend, and the problems with the inguinal canal,
  8. explain where sperm are produced in males,
  9. describe the composition of semen,
  10. explain the functions of the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland and the bulbourethral glands,
  11. describe orgasm in males including what is known as the sexual response,
  12. explain the mechanics of erections in males, and
  13. Discuss the glands and hormones associated with sperm production in males.

Exercises: Fill in the Blank.

  1. The failure of one or more testicles in the male to descend into the scrotum is called .
  2. A weak point in the male's system is the canal which may allow parts of the intestine to exude through and cause an inguinal .
  3. The is found atop each testicle and often stores sperm for ejaculation.
  4. The is a tube that leads away from the testicle and enters the body cavity carrying sperm.
  5. The three major parts of a sperm cell are the , , and the .
  6. Located at the head of the sperm is a structure that allows the sperm to digest its way through the layers of the egg. This structure is called the .
  7. The midpiece is loaded with to provide energy to move the tail in the sperm's swimming action.
  8. In spermatogenesis, the cell which has 46 chromosomes gives rise to cells that undergo interphase and thus have at the beginning 92 chromosomes. This cell is called the spermatocyte. It undergoes the first part of meiosis and gives rise to two cells, each with 46 chromosomes, called the spermatocyte. This cell finishes meiosis and ends up with two cells, each with 23 chromosomes, called the , which eventually turn into sperm.
  9. The provides alkaline secretions to protect the sperm in the acidic environment of the vagina. In addition, it produces prostaglandins, fibrinolysin and citrate.
  10. is the term which refers to the sperm and the numerous secretions of glands in the male reproductive system.
  11. Sperm are produced in the testes in the tubules.
  12. The gland, also called the Cowper's gland, provides lubrication for the sperm's passage down the urethra and to lubricate the tip of the penis to facilitate its insertion into the vagina.
  13. The drain the kidney into the urinary bladder while the serves as a passage from the urinary bladder and for sperm out the tip of the penis.
  14. The provides secretions of fructose to feed the sperm, as well as fibrinogen and prostaglandins.
  15. These cells are found around the outside of the seminiferous tubules and they secrete the male sex hormone, testosterone.
  16. The are found inside the seminiferous tubules and they help direct hormonal control of sperm production, including testosterone secretion.
  17. The hypothalamus secretes which acts on the to secrete FSH and LH (ICSH).
  18. FSH(ICSH) acts on the cells in the male and LH acts on the in the male.
  19. After each structure, choose the number which occur in the male reproductive system.
    glans penis
    vas deferens
    urethra
    prostate
    bulbourethral gland
    seminal vesicle
    epididymis
    testis
    prepuce
    ejaculatory duct

Exercises. Multiple Choice. Select the best answer.

  1. Sperm production in males occurs:
    (1) with the meiotic process.
     (2) in the testes.
    (3) in the seminiferous tubules.
    (4) throughout the life of the male.

    (5) all of these are correct.

  2. Which of the following is primarily responsible for providing mucous secretions to lubricate the path of sperm through the urethra?
    (1) glans penis
     (2) bulbourethral glands
    (3) seminal vesicle
    (4) prostate gland

    (5) testes

  3. Which of the following is homologous to the clitoris of females?
    (1) glans penis
     (2) seminal vesicles
    (3) bulbourethral gland
    (4) prostate gland

    (5) testes

  4. Which of the following provide fructose for nourishing of sperm, fibrinogen, and ascorbic acid?
    (1) glans penis
     (2) seminal vessicles
    (3) bulbourethral gland      
    (4) prostate gland

    (5) testes

  5. Which of the following produces milky secretions with a clotting enzyme? Hint: it also produces prostaglandins and citrate.
    (1) glans penis
     (2) seminal vesicles
    (3) bulbourethral gland
    (4) prostate gland

    (5) testes

  6. Which of the following hormones are common to both males and females?
    (1) FSH
     (2) LH
    (3) progesterone
    (4) testosterone

    (5) all of these are correct.