Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-x24gv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-01T15:44:52.165Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 3 - Physiology of the Male Reproductive System

from Section 1 - Physiology of Reproduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 March 2021

Eliezer Girsh
Affiliation:
Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon
Get access

Summary

The male reproductive system consists of organs that function to produce, transfer, and introduce mature sperm cells into the female reproductive tract, where fertilization can occur (Figure 3.1). The initial development of the male reproductive organs begins before birth when the reproductive tract differentiates into the male form. Several months before birth, the immature testes descend behind the parietal peritoneum into the scrotum, guided by the fibrous gubernaculum. The testes and other reproductive organs remain in an immature form. They remain incapable of providing reproductive function until puberty when levels of reproductive hormones stimulate the final stages of their development (Figure 3.2). Prepubertal boys have no spermatogenesis; however, spermatogonia preserve in their testicles. Sexual maturity and ability to reproduce are reached at puberty. A gradual decline in hormone production and testicular cell count during adulthood may decrease sexual desire and fertility.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Nicholson, HD, Hardy, MP. Luteinizing hormone differentially regulates the secretion of testicular oxytocin and testosterone by purified adult rat Leydig cells in vitro. Endocrinology 1992; 130:671677.Google Scholar
Carreau, S, Bilinska, B, Levallet, J. Male germ cells. A new source of estrogens in mammalian testis. Ann. Endocrinol. 1998; 59:7992.Google ScholarPubMed
Waeber, C, Reymond, O, Reymond, M, Lemarchand-Beraud, T. Effects of hyper- and hypoprolactinemia on gonadotropin secretion, rat testicular luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptors and testosterone production by isolated Leydig cells. Biol. Reprod. 1983; 28:167177.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Neaves, WB, Johnson, L, Petty, CS. Age-related change in numbers of other interstitial cells in testes of adult men: evidence bearing on the fate of Leydig cells lost with advanced age. Biol. Reprod. 1985; 33:259269.Google Scholar
Gray, A, Berlin, JA, McKinley, JB, Longcope, C. An examination of research design effects on the association of testosterone and male ageing: results of a meta analysis. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 1991; 44:671684.Google Scholar
Cheng, CY, Mruk, DD. The blood-testis barrier and its implications for male contraception. Pharmacol. Rev. 2012; 64:1664.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ragheb, AM, Sabanegh, Jr ES. Smoking and male fertility: a contemporary review. Arch. Med. Sci. 2009; 5:S13S19.Google Scholar
Lee, NPY, Cheng, CY. Nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthase, spermatogenesis, and tight junction dynamics. Biol. Reprod. 2004; 70:267276.Google Scholar
Johnson, L, Zane, RS, Petty, CS, Neaves, WB. Quantification of the human Sertoli cell population: Its distribution, relation to germ cell numbers, and age related decline. Biol. Reprod. 1984; 31:785795.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Girsh, E, Katz, N, Genkin, L, et al. Male age influences oocyte-donor program results. J. Assist. Reprod. Genet. 2008; 25:137143.Google Scholar
Masliukaite, I, Hagen, JM, Jahnukainen, K, et al. Establishing reference values for age related spermatogonial quantity in prepubertal human testes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil. Steril. 2016; 106:16521657.Google Scholar
Paniagua, R, Nistal, M. Morphological and histometric study of human spermatogonia from birth to the onset of puberty. J. Anat. 1984; 139:535552.Google Scholar
Trainer, TD. Histology of the normal testis. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 1987; 11:787809.Google Scholar
Sharpe, RM, McKinnell, C, Kivlin, C, Fisher, JS. Proliferation and functional maturation of Sertoli cells, and their relevance to disorders of testis function in adulthood. Reproduction 2003; 125:769784.Google Scholar
Hecht, NB. Molecular mechanisms of male germ cell differentiation. Bioassays 1998; 20:555561.Google Scholar
Hecht, NB. The making of a spermatozoon: a molecular perspective. Dev. Genet. 1995; 16:95103.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gill-Sharma, MK, Choudhuri, JD, Souza, S. Sperm chromatin protamination: an endocrine perspective. Protein Pept. Lett. 2011; 18:786801.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carrell, DT, Emery, BR, Hammoud, S. Altered protamine expression and diminished spermatogenesis: what is the link? Hum. Reprod. Update 2007; 13:313327.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jager, S. Sperm nuclear stability and male infertility. Arch. Androl. 1990; 25:253259.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Oliva, R. Protamines and male infertility. Hum. Reprod. Update 2006; 12:417435.Google Scholar
Carrell, DT, Emery, BR, Hammoud, S. The aetiology of sperm protamine abnormalities and their potential impact on the sperm epigenome. Int. J. Androl. 2008; 31:537545.Google Scholar
Brumlow, WB, Adams, CS. Immunocytochemical detection of prolactin or prolactin-like immunoreactivity in epididymis of mature male mouse. Histochemistry 1990; 93:299304.Google Scholar
Dacheux, JL, Dacheux, F. New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation. Reproduction 2014; 147:R27R42.Google Scholar
Turner, RM. Moving to the beat: a review of mammalian sperm motility regulation. Reprod. Fert. Dev. 2006; 18:2538.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lotti, F, Corona, G, Maseroli, E, et al. Clinical implications of measuring prolactin levels in males of infertile couples. Andrology 2013; 1:764771.Google Scholar
Rastrelli, G, Corona, G, Maggi, M. The role of prolactin in andrology: what is new? Rev. Endocr. Metab. Disord. 2015; 16:233248.Google Scholar
Zukerman, Z, Weiss, DB, Orvieto, R. Does preejaculatory penile secretion originating from Cowper’s gland contain sperm? J. Assist. Reprod. Gen. 2003; 20:157159.Google Scholar
Björndahl, L, Kvist, U. Sequence of ejaculation affects the spermatozoon as a carrier and its message. RBM Online 2003; 7:440448.Google ScholarPubMed
Lilja, H, Lundwall, A. Molecular cloning of epididymal and seminal vesicular transcripts encoding a semenogelin-related protein. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 1992; 89:45594563.Google Scholar
Zaneveld, LG, Tauber, PF. Contribution of prostatic fluid components to the ejaculate. Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 1981; 75A:265277.Google Scholar
Tomar, AK, Sooch, BS, Singh, S, Yadav, S. Differential proteomics of human seminal plasma: a potential target for searching male infertility marker proteins. Proteomics Clin. Appl. 2012; 6:147151.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peter, A, Lilja, H, Lundwall, A, Malm, J. Semenogelin I and semenogelin II, the major gel-forming proteins in human semen, are substrates for transglutaminase. Eur. J. Biochem. 1998; 252:216221.Google Scholar
Suzuki, K, Kise, H, Nishioka, J, Hayashi, T. The interaction among protein C inhibitor, prostate-specific antigen, and the semenogelin system. Semin. Thromb. Hemost. 2007; 33:4652.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sobrero, AJ, Macleod, J. The immediate postcoital test. Fertil. Steril. 1962; 13:184189.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perloff, WH, Steinberger, E. In-vitro penetration of cervical mucus by spermatozoa. Fertil. Steril. 1963; 14:231236.Google Scholar
Publicover, S, Harper, CV, Barratt, C. [Ca2+]i signaling in sperm—making the most of what you’ve got. Nat. Cell Biol. 2007; 9:235242.Google Scholar
Rode, B, Dirami, T, Bakouh, N, et al. The testis anion transporter TAT1 (SLC26A8) physically and functionally interacts with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel: a potential role during sperm capacitation. Hum. Mol. Genet. 2012; 21:12871298.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Krausz, C, Bonaccorsi, L, Luconi, M, et al. Intracellular calcium increase and acrosome reaction in response to progesterone in human spermatozoa are correlated with in-vitro fertilization. Hum. Reprod. 1995; 10:120124.Google Scholar
Ankri, R, Friedman, H, Savion, N, et al. Visible light induces nitric oxide (NO) formation in sperm and endothelial cells. Lasers Surg. Med. 2010; 42:348352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Suarez, SS. Control of hyperactivation in sperm. Hum. Reprod. Update 2008; 14:647657.Google Scholar
Nomikos, M, Kashir, J, Swann, K, Lai, FA. Sperm PLCζ: from structure to Ca2+ oscillations, egg activation and therapeutic potential. FEBS Lett. 2013; 587:36093616.Google Scholar
Escoffier, J, Yassine, S, Lee, HC, et al. Subcellular localization of phospholipase Cζ in human sperm and its absence in DPY19L2-deficient sperm are consistent with its role in oocyte activation. Mol. Hum. Reprod. 2015; 21:157168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heytens, E, Parrington, J, Coward, K, et al. Reduced amounts and abnormal forms of phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta) in spermatozoa from infertile men. Hum. Reprod. 2009; 24:24172428.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kashir, J, Konstantinidis, M, Jones, C, et al. A maternally inherited autosomal point mutation in human phospholipase C zeta (PLCzeta) leads to male infertility. Hum. Reprod. 2012; 27:222231.Google Scholar
Küĉükkömürcü, S, Delogne-Desnoeck, J, Robyn, C. Prolactin and fructose in human seminal fluid. Int. J. Fertil. 1980; 25:117121.Google Scholar
Meikle, AW, Stephenson, RA, Lewis, CM, Wiebke, GA, Middleton, RG. Age, genetic, and nongenetic factors influencing variation in serum sex steroids and zonal volumes of the prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia in twins. Prostate 1997; 33:105111.Google Scholar
Chianese, R, Cobellis, G, Chioccarelli, T, et al. Kisspeptins, estrogens and male fertility. Curr. Med. Chem. 2016; 23:40704091.Google Scholar
Eskenazi, B, Wyrobek, AJ, Sloter, E, et al. The association of age and semen quality in healthy men. Hum. Reprod. 2003; 18:447454.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Slama, R, Bouyer, J, Windham, G, et al. Influence of paternal age on the risk of spontaneous abortion. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2005; 161:816823.Google Scholar
Sartorius, GA, Nieschlag, E. Paternal age and reproduction. Hum. Reprod. Update 2010; 16:6579.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Singh, NP, Muller, CH, Berger, RE. Effects of age on DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis in human sperm. Fertil. Steril. 2003; 80:14201430.Google Scholar
Robinson, L, Gallos, ID, Conner, SJ, et al. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on miscarriage rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum. Reprod. 2012; 27:29082917.Google Scholar
Ford, WCL, North, K, Taylor, H, et al. Increasing paternal age is associated with delayed conception in a large population of fertile couples: evidence for declining fecundity in older men. The ALSPAC Study Team (Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood). Hum. Reprod. 2000; 15:17031708.Google Scholar
Hassan, MA, Killick, SR. Effect of male age on fertility: evidence for the decline in male fertility with increasing age. Fertil. Steril. 2003; 79:15201527.Google Scholar
Yang, Q, Wen, SW, Leader, A, et al. Paternal age and birth defects: how strong is the association? Hum. Reprod. 2007; 22:696701.Google Scholar
Orioli, IM, Castilla, EE, Scarano, G, Mastroiacovo, P. Effect of paternal age in achondroplasia, thanatophoric dysplasia, and osteogenesis imperfecta. Am. J. Med. Genet. 1995; 59:209217.Google Scholar
Lauritsen, MB, Pedersen, CB, Mortensen, PB. Effects of familial risk factors and place of birth on the risk of autism: a nationwide register-based study. J. Child. Psychol. Psychiatry 2005; 46:963971.Google Scholar
Lawson, G, Fletcher, R. Delayed fatherhood. J. Fam. Plann. Reprod. Health Care 2014; 40:283288.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gray, A, Berlin, JA, McKinlay, JB, Longcope, C. An examination of research design effects on the association of testosterone and male aging: results of a meta-analysis. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 1991; 44:671684.Google Scholar
Nieschlag, E. The endocrine function of the human testis in regard to sexuality. Ciba Found. Symp. 1978; 14:183208.Google Scholar
Diver, MJ, Imtiaz, KE, Ahmad, AM, Vora, JP, Fraser, WD. Diurnal rhythms of serum total, free and bioavailable testosterone and of SHBG in middle-aged men compared with those in young men. Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf.) 2003; 58:710717.Google Scholar
Davidson, JM, Chen, JJ, Crapo, L, et al. Hormonal changes and sexual function in aging men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1983; 57:7177.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, JM, Nachtigall, LB, Stern, TA. The effect of testosterone levels on mood in men: a review. Psychosomatics 2013; 54:509514.Google Scholar
Hawton, KE. Sexual problems associated with physical illness. In: Weatherall, DJ, Ledingham, JG, Warrell, DA, eds., Oxford Textbook of Medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1997; 42434247.Google Scholar
Lašaitė, L, Čeponis, J, Preikša, RT, Žilaitienė, B. Effects of two-year testosterone replacement therapy on cognition, emotions and quality of life in young and middle-aged hypogonadal men. Andrologia 2017; 49(3):10.1111/and.12633.Google Scholar
Janowsky, JS, Oviatt, SK, Orwoll, ES. Testosterone influences spatial cognition in older men. Behav. Neurosci. 1994; 108:325332.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Finkelstein, JS. Androgens and bone metabolism. In: Nieschlag, E, Behre, HM, eds., Testosterone: Action, Deficiency, Substitution. Berlin: Springer Verlag. 1998; 187207.Google Scholar
Bhasin, S, Storer, TW, Berman, N, et al. Testosterone replacement increases fat-free mass and muscle size in hypogonadal men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1997; 82:407413.Google ScholarPubMed
Haider, A, Yassin, A, Haider, KS, et al. Men with testosterone deficiency and a history of cardiovascular diseases benefit from long-term testosterone therapy: observational, real-life data from a registry study. Vasc. Health Risk Manag. 2016; 14:251261.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×