L2 Anatomy and Physiology Reproduction

The testes and ovaries (AKA ❌) are primary sex organs which create sperm and eggs (AKA ❌). Secondary sex organs (essential to reproduction) in males are the ❌, and penis, and in females are the ❌, and vagina.

Testes:
- produce sperm cells (❌)
- secret testosterone by interstitial (❌) cells

Sertoli cells:
– extend from ❌ membrane to ❌ in the testes
– form blood-testis barrier, support ❌ sperm cells
– produce ❌ & control ❌ of sperm into lumen
– secrete ❌ which slows sperm production

Scrotum:
- Sac of loose skin, fascia & ❌ muscle divided by a septum
- Protect and maintain the temperature of the testes ❌ degrees lower than body temperature

Epididymus:
- ❌ site of sperm cells.
- absorbs about ❌ of the fluid secreted by the testis
- sperm remain stored here for ❌ days and are absorbed if not ejaculated prior to that time

Semen is a mixture of secretions from epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral gland.
Major constituents of semen:
• Sperm - ❌ over head are enzymes used to dissolve a path to penetrate the egg, nucleus with genes in body, tail powered by ❌. 50-120 million sperm/mL.
• Fructose - energy for the sperm.
• Clotting and anticoagulant factors - semen clots like ❌. About 15-30 minutes later, anticoagulant factors dissolve the clot.
• Prostaglandins - stimulate ❌ of the female reproductive tract that may help draw semen into the uterus
• Spermine - is a ❌ that reduces acidity of the female vagina, increasing the survival rate of sperm.

Ejactulation:
• Initiated by ❌ nerve impulses
• The ducts and accessory glands contract, emptying their contents into the ❌.
• The urethral ❌ constrict.
• The ❌ muscles of the penis contract rapidly and rhythmically, propelling semen from the urethra.

Hypothalamus-pituitary axes to target gonads:
1. Hypothalamus makes ❌ (gonadotrophins)
2. Pituitary makes ❌
3. FSH and LH target ❌
4. Gonads make estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone

Hypothalamus-pituitary axes to target breasts:
1. Hypothalamus makes ❌
2. AP makes ❌
3. Breasts make malk

GRH is naturally released in a ❌ manner.

Clinical uses:
• Continuous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist or
antagonist:
- ❌ the release of FSH & LH
- Used to treat various sex-hormone dependent ❌ such as breast and prostate cancer, endometriosis

• Pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist:
- ❌ treatment