HISTOLOGY REVIEW
Reproductive System
Dr. Tim Ballard
Department of Biology and Marine Biology
Male Reproduction -- Testis
Seminiferous tubule– cross section – H&E – 10x objective
lumen
Each testis contains 250 – 900 seminiferous tubules that are responsible for the
production of spermatozoa and testosterone.
Male Reproduction -- Testis
Seminiferous tubule– cross section – H&E – 10x objective
lumen
nests of interstitial
cells (of Leydig) in
connective tissue
surrounding tubules
basement
membrane
Each seminiferous tubule is formed of an epithelium resting on a basement
membrane. The cell types seen are in various stages of meiosis.
Male Reproduction -- Testis
Seminiferous tubule– cross section – H&E – 10x objective
spermatogonium
spermatogonium
lumen
spermatogonium
basement
membrane
Spermatogonia (2n2c) lie on the basement membrane and are mitotic. Some
respond to FSH and enter meiosis, moving off the basement membrane and
towards the lumen.
Male Reproduction -- Testis
Seminiferous tubule– cross section – H&E – 40x objective
spermatogonia (2n2c)
1º spermatocytes (2n4c)
sustentacular (Sertoli) cell
2º spermatocytes (1n2c)
spermatids (1n1c)
spermatozoa (1n1c)
lumen
Spermatogenesis is the process of meiosis in the male wherein one spermatogonium
becomes 4 spermatids. The spermatids then enter spermiogenesis, associated with
the Sertoli, and transform anatomically into anatomically mature spermatozoa.
2º spermatocytes and spermatids cannot be distinguished morphologically.
Male Reproduction -- Penis
Primate penis– cross section – H&E – 4x objective
dorsal vein
corpus cavernosum
deep artery
tunica albuginea
corpus cavernosum
deep artery
urethra
corpus spongiosum
The erectile tissues consist of lacunae, spaces that fill with blood, surrounded
by collagenous connective tissue (the tunica albuginea).
Female Reproduction -- Ovary
secondary follicle
primary follicles
primordial follicles
cortex
tertiary follicle
medulla
ovulation
corpus albicans
corpus luteum
Review the basic structure of the ovary and the stages of follicular development
before looking at the slides.
Female Reproduction -- Follicles
Mammalian ovary– section – H&E – 4x objective
primordial follicles
Look along the periphery of the ovary for clusters of primordial follicles. Each
consists of a primary oöcyte (2n4c) surrounded by a single layer of flattened
follicle cells.
Primordial follicles are quiescent structures, awaiting stimulation from FSH
before reentering their developmental pathway.
Female Reproduction -- Follicles
Mammalian ovary– section – H&E – 4x objective
primary multilaminar follicle
primary oöcyte
follicle cells
Several events occur here. Follicle cells become cuboidal, begin mitosis, and
begin to secrete estrogen. The primary oöcyte becomes unarrested from
prophase I and begins its first meiotic division.
Once stimulated, by FSH, 30-50 primordial follicles reenter development, and
become primary follicles.
Female Reproduction -- Follicles
Mammalian ovary– section – H&E – 10x objective
zona pellucida
At this stage the developing
ovum is likely to be a
secondary oöcyte (1n2c) now,
having finished its first meiotic
division. It now becomes
arrested at metaphase II.
As it matures, the primary multilaminar follicle has 5-7 layers of follicle cells and
develops a glycoprotein coat just outside the cell membrane of the oöcyte
called the zona pellucida.
Female Reproduction -- Follicles
Mammalian ovary– section – H&E – 4x objective
stratum granulosum
cumulus oophorus
zona pellucida
secondary oöcyte
antrum
The follicle becomes a secondary follicle when there is a clearly discernable
antrum or cavity within the follicle. As the follicle continues to get larger, the
antrum enlarges and the ovum becomes more eccentric (off center).
The last stage, the tertiary follicle, has the same basic structure as above, just
larger with the ovum more eccentric.
Female Reproduction -- Uterus
Mammalian proliferative uterus– section – H&E – 10x obj.
uterine glands
In the proliferative stage of the uterine cycle, under control of rising estrogen
from the developing follicles, the stratum basalis is regrowing the stratum
functionalis, which was shed during the previous menstrual flow. The
diagnostic feature of this stage are the long and straight uterine glands which
are not yet functional.
When you start this slide, scroll through the whole thickness and identify where
the endometrium with its glands stops and the myometrium begins.
Female Reproduction -- Uterus
Mammalian secretory uterus– section – H&E – 40x objective
uterine glands
In the secretory stage of the uterine cycle, under the control of estrogen and
progesterone from the corpus luteum, the uterine glands of the stratum
functionalis begin to be functional, producing glycogen. The diagnostic feature
of this stage are the curvy, serrated-looking glands.
When you start this slide, scroll through the whole thickness and identify where
the endometrium with its glands stops and the myometrium begins.
Female Reproduction -- Uterus
Mammalian menstrual uterus– section – H&E – 4x objective
uterine cavity
myometrium
shedding stratum functionalis
In the menstrual stage of the uterine cycle, under the control of lack of
estrogen and progesterone from the dead corpus luteum, the stratum
functionalis dies and loses its anatomical integrity, breaking lose and shedding
from the stratum basalis.
When you start this slide, scroll through the whole thickness and identify where
the endometrium with its glands stops and the myometrium begins.
Female Reproduction -- Uterus
Mammalian menstrual uterus– section – H&E – 4x objective
uterine cavity
myometrium
shedding stratum functionalis
Compare the anatomical integrity of this endometrium with the previous slides
of proliferative and secretory uterus. This is a mess as it comes completely
undone.
When you start this slide, scroll through the whole thickness and identify where
the endometrium with its glands stops and the myometrium begins.