The Male Reproductive System

The Testis

Spermatogensis and spermiogenesis

Low Magnification of the entire testis

TA – Tunica Albuginea

E – Epididymis

RT – Rete Testis

Low magnification of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells

Seminiferous Tubules

Primary Spermatocytes

Sperm

Spermatids

Sperm

Seminiferous Tubules

Sertoli Cells

Spermatogonia

Seminiferous Tubule

Primary spermatocytes

Spermatids

Arrow – sertoli cell

Sperm

SEM of a seminiferous tubule

Sg, spermatogonia; Sc, spermatocytes; Se, Sertoli cells; Ta, sperm tails

Diagram of Spermiogenesis

TEM of developing sperm embedded in a sertoli cell

Sertoli Cell

TEM of developing sperm head

AC – acrosome; PM – plasma membrane

TEM of developing sperm midpiece

Mi – mitochondria; He – head; Cp – centriole; Cf/Pf – microtubules of flagellum

TEM of crossections through sperm tails

Note the 9 + 2 arrangement of microtubules

SEM of a mature sperm cell

The Testis

Sertoli Cells and Interstitial Cells

Seminiferous tubules with Sertoli Cells

(Arrows)

TEM of sertoli cells (S and St labeled cells)

Interstitial or Leydig Cells (arrows)

Leydig Cells

Male Tubular System

Low magnification – The entire testis

Epididymis

Seminiferous tubules

Rete Testis

Low maginfication of the Rete Testis

Ductili Efferentes

Ductili Efferentes

Ductili Efferentes Ductus Epididymis

The Epididymis – pseudostratified with stereo cilia

Smooth Muscle

The Ductus Deferens or Vas Deferens

Smooth Muscle

SEM of the Vas Deferens

Ep – epithelium; LP – lamina propria; SM – smooth muscle; Ad - adventitia

Lining of the Vas Deferens

Pseudostartified columnar with stereo cilia

Low magnification of the Spermatic Cord with the Ductus Deferens (DD)

Associated Glands

Low magnification of the entire Seminal Vesicle

Seminal Vesicle

Smooth Muscle

Epithelial lining of the Seminal Vesicle

Low magnification of the Prostate Gland

Low magnification of the Prostate Gland with concretions

High magnification of the Prostate Gland with concretions

The Penis