Histology of the Male
Reproductive System
(Repro 5)
PROF. DR. FAUZIAH OTHMAN
DEPT OF HUMAN ANATOMY
Contents
• Histology of testes
• Histology of vas deferens
• Histology of seminal vesicle
• Histology of prostate gland
• Histology of the Bulbourethral gland
Histology 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 tubules
Seminiferous tubules
• Stratified germinal epithelium
• Surrounded by a layer CT with fibroblast
and an inner basement membrane (bm).
– Consist: Supporting (Sertoli cell)
 Slender,
elongated cells with irregular outlines that
extend from the bm.
 Primary spermatocytes
 Spermatocytes
 Spermatids
Spermatogenesis
• Process where the spermatogenic cells in the
•
seminiferous tubules divide, differentiate, and
produce sperm.
3 phases
– Mitotic division of spermatogonia
– Meiotic division of spermatocytes,
somatic
chromosome no. – spermatids
– Spermiogenesis morphological transformation
spermatids
sperm.
Testes produce both testosterone
and sperm
• LH and FSH are produced by the pituitary gland.
• LH binds to receptors on the interstitial cells (Leydig
cells) and stimulate testosterone.
• FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to synthesize and release
ABP (androgen-binding protein) into seminiferous
tubules to stimulate spermatogenesis.
• ↑ concentration of testosterone essential for proper
spermatogenesis.
Sertoli cells
• Supportive cells in the seminiferous
tubules located among the spermatogenic
cells
• Fx: physical support, protection and nutrition of
the developing sperm (spermatids)
• Phagocytosis of cytoplasm developing sperm
(spermatids)
• Produce and release ABP.
Seminiferous tubule, straight tubules,
rete testis & ductuli efferentes
Ductuli efferentes of the ductus epididymis
Histology of vas deferens
Vas deferens
• A narrow and irregular lumen with longitudinal mucosal
folds.
• Psuedostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia.
• Thin lamina propria
• consists of compact colagen fibers and fie net work of elastic
fibers.
• Thick muscularis
• 3 SM layers
– Inner longitudinal
– Middle circular
– Outer longitudinal
• Adventitia.
• Abundant of blood vessels
Ampulla of the vas deferens
• Terminal portion of the vas deferens enlarges
•
into an ampulla
Lumen of ampulla larger than vas deferens.
• Numerous irregular branching mucosal folds
• Deep glandular diverticula or crypts
• Simple columnar or cuboidal epithelium.
• Lamina propria
• 3 layers of SM
• Thin inner longitudinal
• Thick middle circular
• Thin outer longitudinal
Ampulla of the vas deferens
Accessory reproductive glands
• Seminal vesicles
• Yellowish viscous fluid high in fructose
• Energy source for sperm motility
• Produce most fluid found in semen
• Prostate gland
• Porduce thin, watery slightly acidic fluid
• The enzyme fibrinolysin liquefies the semen after ejaculation.
• Bulbourethral glands
• Produce clear, viscid, mucus-like secretion during erotic stimulation
• As lubricant for thr penile urethra.
Histology of seminal vesicle
Glandular epithelium of seminal vesicles normally
varies
low pseudostratified, low columnar or
cuboidal.
Prostate gland & prostate
urethra
• Prostate gland
• Prostetic urethra
– Psuedostratified epithelium
• Glandular acini vary in size
• Lumina of acini normally wide and irregular
– Protrusion of epithelium-covered connective tissue folds
– Proteinaceous secretions sometimes prostatic
concretions.
– Glandular epithelium simple-columnar or psuedot
Fibromuscular stroma
– Characteristic feature of prostate gland
 SM bundles and CT fibers blend together in the
stroma throughout the gland.
 ratified, cells lightly stain, some region squamous or
cuboidal.
Histology of prostate gland
Histology of the Bulbourethral
gland