The document summarizes the histology of the male reproductive system. It describes the key structures including the testis, seminiferous tubules, Sertoli and Leydig cells involved in spermatogenesis. It then discusses the male duct system including the rete testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, and accessory glands like the seminal vesicles and prostate gland. Diagrams are provided to illustrate the microscopic anatomy of each structure.

1. THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM HISTOLOGY
Dr.Saima Masood

2. General Organization of Male
reproductive system
• TESTIS
• Ductus Epididymis
• Ductus (vas) deferens
• Male accessory Glands ,Urethra and Penis

4. TESTIS
• covered by a dense collagenous coat called
the tunica albuginea.
• Septa extend into the testis to separate the
lobules.
• Most of the testis is occupied by highly coiled
somniferous tubules.
• Stroma loose CT, lack smooth muscles , highly
vascular, contains INTERSTITIAL CELLS

5. TESTIS

6. Testicular capsule
• Tunica albuginea-
• dense white fibrous capsule
• composed of dense irregular connective
tissue,
• forming septa that divide each testis into
series internal compartments called lobules

7. - The seminiferous tubules are composed
of spermatogonia located at the base of
the epithelium with large round nuclei.
- Spermatogonia give rise to primary
spermatocytes, with larger nuclei
midwsay up in the epithelium. The nuclei
are round with distinct bundles of dense
chromosomes. These cells are in extended
prophase of the first meiotic division.
- The primary spermatocytes further
develop into spermatids located higher up
in the epithelium toward the lumen. The
round nuclei become smaller, denser, and
change shape into the heads of mature
sperm, or spermatozoa.

9. SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
• Basement membrane surrounds stratified
GERMINAL EPITHELIUM.
• spermatogonia located at the base of the
epithelium with large round nuclei.
• primary spermatocytes, with larger nuclei
midways up in the epithelium.

10. • The primary spermatocytes further develop
into spermatids located higher up in the
epithelium toward the lumen.
• mature sperm, or spermatozoa.

13. 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.

15. SERTOLI CELLS (SUPPORTING CELLS)
• are large, relatively pale and irregularly
shaped.
• Broad base rest on basement membrane.
• Nucleus basal and wrinkled with a prominent
nucleolus.
• long, apical cytoplasmic folds.

16. Sertoli cells contd ….
• Form hemidesmosomes with BM.
• Temporary junctions with germinal cells.
• Adjacent cells join by Tight Junctions.

17. Functions of Sertoli cells
physical support, protection and nutrition
of the developing sperm (spermatids)
• Phagocytosis of cytoplasm developing
sperm (spermatids)
• Produce and release ABP.

19. SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES AND
INTERSTITIAL CELLS

20. 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.

21. Blood testis barrier
• Lateral processes of Sertoli cells are
interconnected by tight junctions, which are
the structural basis for the blood-testis barrier.
• Subdivides each somniferous tubule into:
• BASAL COMPARTMENT
• ADLUMINAL COMPARTMENT
• autoimmune system response.
• Keeps harmful substances of blood away.

23. • 1 basal lamina, 2 spermatogonia, 3
spermatocyte 1st order, 4 spermatocyte 2nd
order, 5 spermatid, 6 mature spermatid, 7
Sertoli cell, 8 tight junction

24. Leydig cells.
• Interstitial endocrine cells.
• Large polymorphous cells.
• Spherical nuclei.
• Occur in cords or clusters.
• Cytoplasm contain lipid
and glycogen.
• Release Testosterone.

25. Male Tubular System

26. Low magnification – The entire testis
Epididymis
Seminiferous
tubules
Rete Testis

27. Straight testicular tubules
• Connect seminiferous tubules to Rete testis.
• Short and straight course.
• Simple squamous /Simple columnar.
• Epithelium contain macrophages, lymphocytes.
• Terminal segment may function as a valve.

28. Seminiferous,straight tubules with rete
testis

29. Rete Testis
• Irregularly anstomosing channels surrounded
by loose CT.
• Most part present in Mediastinum Testis.
• Elastic fibers and contractile cells present
underneath the epithelium.

30. Rete Testis

31. Efferent Ductules
• The rete testis lead into the efferent ductules.
• towards the head of the epididymis.
• Epithelium simple columnar (ciliated/Non
ciliated).
• serrated or scalloped epithelial lining.
• Ciliated cell no.
• Three to six layers Myofibroblast +loose CT

32. Efferent Ductules

33. Ductili Efferentes

34. Efferent Ductules (vasa Efferentia)

35. Ductus Epididymis
• Tortous and coiled.
• 40 m (bulls)--- 70 m (stallions).

36. Efferent Ductules

37. Ductus Epididymis
• Head
• Body
• Tail
• Thick tunica Albuginea

38. Histological structure (epididymis)
• Lined by PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR
Epithelium.
• Surrounding loose CT + Sm .M
• Two cell types:
1.The Principal cells.
2.Basal cells.

39. • columnar cells ____steriocilia.
• Basal cells______ lipid & glycogen.
• Lamina propria Reticular & SM fibers.

40. DUCTUS EPIDIDYMIS

42. Tail region Epididymid

43. Ductus (vas) deferens
• Mucosa_ longitudinal folds.
• Epithelium _ Psd. Stratified columnar (more
Basal cells).
• Terminal part___ Simple columnar
• It has a thick smooth muscle coat.
• Stallion___ circular , longitudinal and oblique.
• Small ruminants/ carnivores.

44. The Ductus Deferens or Vas Deferens

45. Ductus Deferens

46. The Ductus Deferens or Vas Deferens
Smooth
Muscle

47. VAS DEFERENS

48. Terminal Portion (AMPULLA Of Ductus Deferens)
 The terminal portion of the ductus deferens enlarges into an ampulla.
Mainly mucosa is different.
• The lumen of the ampulla is larger than that of the ductus deferens.
• The mucosa also exhibits numerous irregular, branching mucosal
folds and glandular diverticula or crypts located between the folds
that extend to the surrounding muscle layer.
• The secretory epithelium and the glandular diverticula is simple
columnar or cuboidal.
• Below the epithelium is the lamina propria .
• Muscularis consists of a thin inner longitudinal muscle layer , a
thick middle circular muscle layer
and a thin outer longitudinal muscle layer .
adventitia surrounds the ampulla.

50. The body of Penis

51. Penis
• The two corpora cavernosa and single corpus
spongiosum form the erectile tissue of the
penis. - The deep artery within the corpus
cavernosum.
- The urethra within the corpus spongiosum

52. Penis (contd.)

53. THE MALE ACCESSORY GLANDS
• The seminal vesicles
• The prostate gland
• The Bulbo urethral gland

54. The Seminal Vesicle
• Location :
• on the posterior side of the bladder and
lateral to the ampulla of the ductus deferens.
• Compound Tubuloacinar gland.
• Mucosa_ folded_psd.st. col. Epithelium.
• Fat cells-

55. THE SEMINAL VESICALS

56. High Mag. Seminal Vesicles

57. The prostate Gland
• The prostate gland is an exocrine gland
located inferior to the bladder.
• citric acid and acid phosphatase
• lined with simple columnar epithelium
• A characteristic folded appearance.
• Distinct concretions that are spherical or oval

58. The prostate gland