Reproduction and its type.                                                                                                                               

Reproduction : Reproduction is the ability of living organism to produce a new generation of living individuals similar to themselves.

Basic features of reproduction : All organisms reproduce. Modes of reproduction vary in different organisms. However, all modes have certain common basic features. These are

1. Replication of DNA. This is the molecular basis of reproduction.
2. Cell division, only mitotic, or both mitotic and meiotic. This is cytological basis of reproduction.
3. Formation of reproductive bodies or units.
4. Development of reproductive bodies into offspring.

Types of reproduction : These are of two main types

(i) Asexual (Non-gametic)                     (ii) Sexual (gametic)

(i) Asexual reproduction

1. Definition : Production of offspring by a single parent without the formation and fusion of gametes is called asexual reproduction. The young one receives all its genes from one parent.

• A sexual reproduction is also known as agamogenesis or agamogeny.
• It involves only mitotic cell divisions, and also termed somatogenic reproduction.
• Asexual reproduction produces identical offspring commonly referred to as a clone. Today, the scientists have been able to produce clones of multicellular animals (e.g., boar calf names as Frosty, and Finn Dorset lamb named as the famous Dolly) artificially in the laboratory.

2. Occurrence : Asexual reproduction occurs in protozoans and some lower animals such as sponges, coelentrates, certain worms and tunicates. It is absent among the higher non-vertibrates and all vertibrates.
3. Types : Asexual reproduction takes place in five principal ways :
   1. Binary fission : Binary fission is the division of the parent into two small, nearly equalized daughter individuals. Examples – Protozoans (Amoeba, Euglena etc.) Bacteria and Planarians.

Modes of binary fission : In Binary fission, the nucleus divides first and the cytoplasm next. Subsequently, the mother cell splits into two equal sized daughter halves or cells. There are three modes of binary fission.

1. Simple binary fission : If the plane of cytoplasmic division passes through any direction, the fission is called simple fission. Example – Amoeba.

 

 

 

 

Fig. – Simple binary fission in

2. Transverse binary fission : If the plane of cytoplasmic division concides with the transverse axis of the individual, the fission is termed transverse binary division. Example – Paramoecium and Planaria.

 

 

 

 

Fig. – Transverse binary fission in

3.  

Longitudinal binary fission : It the plane of cytoplasmic division concides with the longitudinal axis of the individual. This kind of fission is designated as longitudinal binary fission. Example – Euglena and vorticella.

 

Fig. – Longitudinal binary fission in euglena

Binary fission involves mitotis only and consequently, the resultant offspring's are genetically identical to the parent and each other.

2. Multiple fission : Multiple fission is the division of the parent into many small daughter individuals simultaneously. Examples – Multiple fission occurs in many protozoans such as Plasmodium, Amoeba and Monocytis.

 

CRYPTO MEROZOITE

SCHIZONT               NUCLEI           MEROZOITES

Fig. – Multiple fission of malarial parasite in RBC of man

Mode of multiple fission : Sometimes, the nucleus divides several times by amitosis to produce many nuclei, without involving any cytokinesis. Later, each nucleus gathers a small amount of cytoplasm around it and the mother individual splits into many tiny daughter cells.

In course of time, each of these daughter cells starts a free life and transforms into an adult individuals. This kind of fission is called multiple fission.

1. Encystation : In response to unfavourable living condition, an Amoeba withdraws its pseudopodia and secretes a three-layered hard covering or cyst around itself. This phenomenon is termed as encystation.
2. Sporulation : During favourable condition, the encysted Amoeba divides by multiple fission and produces many minute amoebae or pseudopodiospores; the cyst wall burst out, and the spores are liberated in the surrounding medium to grow up into many amoebae. This phenomenon is known as sporulation.
3. Schizogony : It is a type of multiple fission present in plasmodium. Schizogonies are of two type. Liver schizogony and blood schizogony.
   3. Plasmotomy : Plasmotomy is the division of a multinucleate protozoan into several small, multinucleate daughters without nuclear division. The daughters grow and regain the normal number of nuclei by nuclear divisions. The daughters grow and regain the normal number of nuclei by nuclear division. It takes place in Opalina and Pelomyxa.

 

 

 

4. Budding : Formation of a daughter individual from a small projection, the bud, arising on the parent body is called budding. It is a common method of asexual reproduction. In budding new individual form by mitosis. Examples – Budding occurs in some protozoans and certain lower animals such as sponges (Scypha), coelenterates (Hydra), annelids (chaetopterus) and tunicates (Salpa).

Types of budding : There are two types of budding

1. Exogenous or External budding : Initially, a small outgrowth of the parent's body develops into a miniature individual. It then separates from the mother to lead a free life. This type of budding is recognised as exogenous budding. Example – Hydra.

2. Endogenous or Internal budding : In fresh water sponges (e.g. –     Spongilla) and marine sponge

 

BUD              ULTIMATELY DEVELOPS

BUD

 

FULLY MATURE BUD

 

HYDRA

(e.g. – Sycon), the parent individual releases a

Fig. – External budding in hydra

specialised mass of cells enclosed in a common opaque envelope, called the gemmule, on germination. Each

gemmule gives rise to an offspring gemmules are thought to be internal buds. This type of budding recognised as endogenous budding. Example – Sycon and Spongilla.

5. Fragmentation : It is the breaking up of an animal's body into two or more pieces, each of which grows into a new individual. Examples – It occurs in the flatworm, microstomum.

4. Special asexual reproductive bodies : Archeoocytes of sponges are totipotent cells. They take part in the formation of gemmules. Gemmules form new sponges.

 

MONAXON SPICULES

MICROPYLE                OUTER MEMBRANE

 

 

ARCHAEOCYTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INNER MEMBRANE

MOUTH

MOUTH         INTESTINE

Fig. – A gemmule

MOUTH

MOUTH

EYES

4 3 4 2 4

3 4 1

4    3   4    2

4   3   4

 

 

Fig. – Fragmentation in microstomum (a flatworm)

 

5. Reproductive units in asexual reproduction : Reproductive units vary in different forms of asexual reproduction. These are entire parent bodies in binary and multiple fission's and are small parts of parent body in budding and fragmentation. An asexual reproductive unit is called blastos.
6. Characteristics of asexual reproduction : All forms of asexual reproduction have certain common basic features. These are under –
   1. A single parent produces offspring, that is, asexual reproduction is uniparental.
   2. Gametes are not formed.
   3. Cell divisions are only mitotic.

 

 

4. The new individuals formed are usually genetically identical to the parent. Variability, if it occurs, is restricted to mutation only.
5. Multiplication occurs rapidly.
6. The offspring are often formed in large numbers near the parent.

7. Significance of asexual reproduction : Asexual reproduction brings multiplication of the species only. It does not play a role in evolution as no variation is introduced into the new individuals formed by it. Asexual reproduction is theoretically most advantageous in stable, favourable environment because it perpetuates successful genotypes precisely.

(ii) Sexual reproduction

1. Definition : It is the production of offspring usually by two parents, male and female. Involving four processes :
   1. Formation of special haploid cells, the gametes, by meosis. (Gametogenesis)
   2. Fusion of the gametes in pairs, forming diploid cells, the zygotes (Fertilization)
   3. Repeated mitotic divisions of zygotes to form embryos (Embryogenesis)
   4. Growth of Embryos into a new individuals (Development)

• Sexual reproduction is also called syngenesis.

2. Occurrence : Sexual reproduction occurs nearly in all mammals, including those which reproduce asexually. Some protozoans, such as Amoeba, Euglena lack sexual reproduction. In most and female, and the difference between them is determined genetically. In sexual reproduction offsprings resemble the parent.
3. Types : Sexual reproduction is of two main types –
   1. Amphigony                      (2) Parthinogenesis

1. Amphigony : It involves the complete and permanent fusion of two gametes from differents or from the same parent to form a composite cells, the zygote. It is further of two kinds :

(i) Syngamy                         (ii) Conjugation

1. Syngamy : It involves the fusion of two entire gametes to form a zygote. It is further of two types with regard to the source of fusing gametes :

1. Endogamy : It involves self-fertilization, i.e., the fusion of two gametes of the same parent. It is, thus uniparental. It is not common. It is found in Taenia, a tapeworm. Tapeworm is a bisexual (hermaphrodite, monoecious) animal.
2. Exogamy : It involves cross-fertilization, i.e., the fusion of two gametes formed by different parents. It is, thus, biparental. It is very common. It is found in frog, rabbit and man. Syngamy is also of two kinds with regard to the structure of the fusing gametes :

1. Isogamy : The fusing gametes are similar morphologically as in Monocytis, a protozoans. Such gametes are known as isogametes, and their fusion is termed isogamy. Although the isogametes are similar in structure, they have behavioural differences. The gametes produced by one parent do not fuse with each other.

 

 

 

2. Anisogamy or Heterogamy : The fusing gametes are different in form, size structure and behaviour as in frog and humans. Such gametes are known as anisogametes, or heterogametes, and their fusion is termed anisogamy, or heterogamy.

Special forms of syngamy : These are two special forms of syngamy :

1. Neoteny : Development of gonads and sexual reproduction in the larval stage of an animal is called neoteny. It is found in the axolotl larva of the salamander Ambystoma.
2. Polyembryony : The blastomeres formed by division of the zygote separate in early stages of development, each producing in a complete individual (fasciola liver fluke). Armadillo regularly produces four young ones per zygote. Identical twins in human beings is another example.

2. Conjugation : Some acellular protist animals (e.g. Paramaecium) exhibit sexual reproduction by forming male and female gamete nuclei, which they exchange through temporary cytoplasmic bridge; later, the cytoplasmic bridge disappears and the gamete nucleus of one individual fuses with that of the other to form zygote nuclei. This mode of sexual reproduction is known as conjugation.

2. Parthenogenesis (Virgin birth) : It is a modification of sexual reproduction in which an egg develops into a complete offspring without fertilization. It is monoparental. Parthinogenesis was discovered by Bonnet (1745).

Occurrence : Parthinogenesis is found in many non vertebrates such as rotifers, aphids, bees and crustaceans. It also occur in a few vertebrates.

Types : Parthenogenesis is of two main types –

1. Natural parthenogenesis : It is a regular phenomenon in the life history at some animals. It may be three type.

1. Complete (Obligatory) parthenogenesis : Males are absent, females develop parthenogenetically, e.g., rotifers, Typhlina brahmina (small lizard, 15 cm long), Lacera saxicola-armeniaca (Caucasian Rock Lizard), Cnemidophorus (Whiptail Lizards of America).
2. Incomplete (cyclic) parthenogenesis : Some animals have both sexual and parthenogenetic individuals, which may alternate. In these animals, female can produce unfertilized or fertilized eggs, depending upon environmental conditions. In Daphina, a fresh water crustacean, female lays unfertilized eggs that develop parthenogenetically under favourable conditions, and fertilized eggs during times of environmental stress. In aphids, the insects pests or crops, females produce many parthenogenetic generations from unfertilized eggs alternating with a biparental generation from fertilized eggs.

In honeybee, unfertilized eggs develop into male bees (drones) with haploid cells, and fertilized eggs give rise to females (queen bees and worker bees) with diploid cells. Spermatogenesis in drones is peculiar in lacking reduction division. In turkey, about 40% males are produced by parthenogenesis whereas 60% males and all females develop from fertilized eggs.

3. Paedogenetic parthenogenesis : In certain insects, larvae lay eggs which develop parthenogenetically into a new generation of larvae. Parthenogenesis is larvae is called paedogenesis.

2. Artificial parthenogenesis : Eggs of certain animals, such as annelids, mollusks, starfish, frog, hen, rabbit, etc., can be induced to develop parthenogenetically by artificial stimuli. Artificial stimuli may be (i) physical, viz., prick of a needle, electric shock, change in temperature or pH; or (ii) chemical such as addition of urea, fatty acids, ether, chloroform, to water.

 

 

On the basis of chromosome sets parthinogenesis is of two types –

1. Arrhenotoky (Haploid parthenogenesis) : Haploid eggs grow to form haploid males e.g., Arachnids, some insects (honey bees).
2. Thelotoky (Diploid parthenogenesis) : Diploid eggs grow without fertilization in to diploid individuals, generally females. e.g.- Gall fly.

Advantages of parthenogenesis

• This avoids the wastage of germplasm as sperms and ova. Adult organism is devoted exclusively to feeding and reproduction so is a mode of high reproduction e.g., aphids.
• There is no chance of separation of useful combination of genes by crossing over and are transmitted as such.
• The offsprings are exactly similar to parents.
• Haploid parthenogenesis is the direct proof of chromosomal theory of sex-determination.

Disadvantages of parthenogenesis : It stops the chances of new combinations of genes and thus avoids selection in population. It decreases the chances of adaptability followed by extinction.

4. Reproductive unit in sexual reproduction : The reproductive units in sexual reproduction are specialised cells called gametes. The gametes are generally of two kinds –
   1. Microgametes or Spermatozoa                     (2) Macrogametes or Ova

Both are well developed for their role in reproduction. The male gametes are mostly minute and motile so that they may swim to the female gametes for fertilization. The female gametes are usually large, non motile and often have a store of food to nourish the developing embryo.

5. Maintenance of chromosome number : The gametes are usually formed by meiotic divisions. Therefore, they are haploid, i.e., have halved or reduced (n) number of chromosomes. In sexual reproduction, the male and female gametes fuse to form a single cell, the zygote formed by the fusion of two haploid gametes in naturally diploid, i.e., has double or normal number (2n) of chromosomes. The zygote gives rise to the offspring by mitotic divisions. Thus, the offspring is also diploid like its parents which formed haploid gametes by meiosis for its creation. Meiosis and fertilization are the two important events in sexual reproduction that keep the number of chromosomes constant from generation to generation.
6. Reproduction pattern : Sexual reproduction shows three patterns depending on whether fertilization and embyronic development occur within or outside the maternal body –

1. External fertilization and External development : This pattern is found in many aquatic animals, such as Obelia, Nereis, Labeo and frog. Parents release sperms and eggs into the surrounding water, where fertilization occurs and zygotes develop into offspring. For this pattern to succeed, male and female must shed their gametes at the same time and place and in large numbers. the parents may or may not make a physical contact for releasing the gametes.
2. Internal fertilization and External development : Sperms are passed from the male into the female with an intromittent organ, such as a penis as in shark and lizard, or otherwise, for example, by cloacal apposition in birds, with modified arm in cuttle fish. Internal fertilization has several advantages. The female reproductive tract provides a confines, protected place where sperm and egg can easily meet without the danger of being eaten up by predators or washed away by water currents. The zygote passing down the female reproductive tract to the exterior can acquires secretions, membranes, or shell for the protection of the developing embryo.

 

 

Animals with internal fertilization usually produce fewer zygotes because of protection provided by egg shells or internal development.

3. Internal fertilization and Internal development : Internal development provides additional advantages to the embryo. The mother's body provides exactly the right chemical conditions and, in mammals, warmth and nourishment also. As the mother carries the embryo wherever she goes, it is not vulnerable to predators who attack externally developing eggs.

7. Characteristics of sexual reproduction : Sexual reproduction has the following important basic features –
   1. It is generally biparental.
   2. It involves formation of male and female gametes.
   3. Mostly there is fusion of male and female gametes (fertilization).
   4. Cell divisions are meiotic during gamete formation and mitotic during development of zygote into an offspring.
   5. The offspring are not genetically identical to the parents. They show variation as they receive characters (chromosomes) from two different parents. Sexual reproduction is, thus, a source of variety in population.
8. Significance of sexual reproduction : Sexual reproduction has a dual significance for the species –
   1. It results in multiplication and perpetuation of the species.
   2. It contributes to evolution of the species by introducing variation in a population much more rapidly than asexual reproduction.

Difference between sexual and asexual reproduction

 

S.No.

Asexual reproduction

Sexual reproduction

1.

It is always uniparental.

It is generally biparental.

2.

It invariably results in increase in the number of individuals.

It may not individuals.

result

in

increase

in

the

number

of

3.

Gametes are not formed.

It always involves the formation and fusion of gametes.

4.

There is no fertilization.

Fertilization generally occurs.

5.

It involves only mitotic cell divisions.

It involves meiotic divisions during gamete formation and mitotic divisions during development of zygote into an offspring.

6.

Daughter individuals are genetically identical to the parent.

Daughter individuals genetically differ from the parents.

7.

It occurs chordates.

in

only

lower

invertebrates

and

lower

It occurs nearly in all animals.

8.

It contributes little to evolution.

It contributes to evolution by introducing variation in offspring.

9.

It often causes rapid increase in number.

It causes slower increase in number.

• Blastogenesis and Embryogenesis : Development of the offspring from reproductive units, such as buds or fragments, in asexual reproduction is called blastogenesis. Development of the embryo from the zygote in sexual reproduction is termed embryogenesis.
• Unisexual or dioecious : Organism in which the two sexes occur in different individuals, e.g., humans, mammals, birds, lizards.

 

 

 

• Bisexual / Hermaphrodite or monoecious : Organism in which the two types of sex organs (testes and ovaries) occur in the same individual, e.g., Earthworm, Taenia.
• Deviations in the reproductive strategies : Although asexual and sexual reproductions are the two major trends of breeding, many deviations are also observed in the reproductive strategies of animals. One such variation in reproductive strategy in hermaphroditism, found in tapeworms and earthworms. Tapeworms are self- fertilising; the sperm produced in the testes of one individual can fertilise the eggs produced by the same individual. The earthworms employ cross, fertilisation; the sperm of one individual fertilises the eggs of the other.

Sexual dimorphism : Differentiation in morphology of the two sexes of the same species is called sexual dimorphism. Example – Ascaris, Oryctolagus and humans etc.

Human reproductive system

In human beings, reproduction takes place by sexual method and the sexes are separate. The primary sexual organs of males and females are the testes (sing. testis) and the ovaries (sing. ovary)., respectively. The males are also different from the females in the secondary sexual features or accessory sex organs. Also, the humans exhibit sexual dimorphism. For example, the mammary glands are well developed in the females are rudimentary in males; the females do not develop beard and moustache but males do; the voice in females is pitched higher than in males.

1. Sex organs : Human are unisexual. The reproductive system of each sex consists of many organs. The latter are distinguishable into primary and secondary sex organs. Besides these, there are some accessory sex characters –
2. Primary sex organs : Gonads which form gametes are called primary sex organs – testis (plural testes) in males and ovary (plural ovaries) in females. Testis produces sperms and secrets testosterone (formation and maintenance of secondary sex organs, accessory male glands and external sex characters). Ovary produces ova. Maturing Graffian follicles secrete estrogens for development and maintenance of secondary sex organs, accessory or external sex characters and part of menstrual cycle. Projesterone produced by ruptured Graffian follicles or corpus luteum controls a part of menstrual cycle, implantation and development of placenta.
3. Secondary sex organs : Sex organs, glands and ducts which do not produce gametes but are otherwise essential for sexual reproduction are known as secondary sex organs. In human male reproductive system, the secondary sex organs are vasa efferentia, epididymes, vasa deferentia, ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, urethra, prostate glands, Cowper's glands and penis. Secondary sex organs of a human female include fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, external genitalia, Bartholin's gland and mammary glands.
4. Accessory / External / Secondary sex characters : They are traits which do not have any direct role in reproduction but provide specific features and structures to the two sexes. The important external / accessory sex characters of human male are beard, moustaches, body hair on shoulder and chest, pubic hair on both lateral and vertical directions, comparatively more height with more muscular body, larynx apparent externally, voice low pitched with breathing more by means of diaphragm. The important accessory sex character of human females are high pitched voice, breast, broader pelvis, lateral pubic hair, rounded body contours with more subcutaneous fat in thighs buttocks and face and sternal breathing.
5. Puberty : Beginning of sexual maturity or ability to reproduce is known as puberty. Primary sex organs begin functioning. Secondary sex organs develop fully under the influence of sex hormones produced by primary sex organs. Growth is rapid. It is accompanied by slow development of accessory/external sexual characters. Puberty occurs at the age of 10 – 14 years in girls and 13 – 15 years in boys.

(vi)Characteristics of human reproduction :

 

 

 

 

1. Human beings are non-seasonal breeders.
2. There is no oestrus / heat.
3. In human females the ability to produce young ones begins at menarche (beginning of menses) and ends at menopause (stoppage of menses).
4. In human females the reproductive phase has 28 day repeated menstrual cycle.
5. Fertilization is internal.
6. There is vivipary, i.e., giving birth to young ones.
7. Foetus develops inside uterus and is nourished by joint special structure called placenta.
8. Infants can be fed on mother's milk.
9. Parental care is very well developed.

 Male reproductive system                                                                                                                                  

The male reproductive system consists of a scrotum, a pair of testes, vasa efferentia, a pair of epididymis, a pair of vasa deferentia, a pair of ejaculatory ducts, a urethra, a penis and certain glands.

(i) Reproductive organ

1. Scrotum : The scrotum is a pouch of pigmented skin arising from the lower abdominal wall and hanging between the legs. Its dermis contains almost a continuous layer of smooth muscle fibres called dartos tunic. The scrotum is divided internally into right and left scrotal sacs by a muscular partition, the septum scroti. A scar like raphae marks the position of the septum externally. The testes originate in the abdominal but latter, during the seventh month of development, descend permanently into the respective scrotal sac through passages termed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMPULLA

 

 

 

URETHRA TESTIS

 

 

 

 

HAIRY SCROTUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PENIS

GLANS PREPUCE

 

URETER FROM KIDNEY

 

URINARY BLADDER SEMINAL VESICLE

 

EJACULATORY DUCT PROSTATE GLAND COWPER'S GLAND

VAS DEFERENS INGUINAL CANAL CAPUT EPIDIDYMIS

CORPUS EPIDIDYMIS CAUDA EPIDIDYMIS

 

 

GUBERNACULUM SCROTUM

 

URINOGENITAL APERTURE

inguinal canal. If an inguinal canal remains open or is torn, a loop of intestine may descent in the scrotum to produce the disorder of inguinal hernia.

• A spermatic cord connects testis with abdominal cavity. It

Fig. – Male reproductive system (front view)

 

CAPUT EPIDIDYMIS

SEMINIFEROUS

consists of connective tissue that encloses an artery, a vein, a lymph vessel, a nerve, cremaster muscle and a vas deferens. A testis rests in it chamber over pad called gubernaculum.

• Descent of testes in scrotum provides a low temperature (of 2Cº) for maintenance of spermatogenic tissue and formation of sperms. Failure of testes to descend in scrotum is cryptorchidism, the disorder that causes sterlity because sperm formation does not occur at the abdominal temperature.
• Men persistently wearing tight underpants or taking very

TUBULES

 

INTERSTITIAL CELLS

 

 

 

 

TESTIS

 

 

SEPTA

 

 

TUNICA ALBUGINEA OR CONNECTIVE SHEATH TISSUE

WOLFIAN DUCT

VASA DEFERENS

VASA EFFERENTIA

      CORPUS EPIDIDYMIS

 

RETE TESTIS

 

 

 

CAUDA EPIDIDYMIS

Fig. – Testes of man

 

 

 

 

hot baths may have a reduced sperm count almost leading to infertility.

• The scrotal sac of male homologous to female's labia majora.

Variations in position of testes : In some mammals (lion, bull, horse), the testes remain permanently in the scrotum and keep functioning throughout the year as in man. In certain seasonally breeding mammals, such as bat, otter and llama, (Insectivora, Tubulidentata, chiroptera and most Rodentia) the testes enlarge, become functional, and descent into the scrotum in the breeding season, but thereafter ascent into the abdominal cavity, and become reduced and inactive. In a few cases (elephant, whale, seal) the testes remain permanently in the abdomen as the body temperature is low enough for sperm maturation. Scrotum is absent in such cases. Scrotum is in front of penis in Kangaroo.

2. Testes : The testes are the primary sex organs. They are about 4 – 5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide and 3 cm thick. They are suspended in the scrotal sacs by spermatic cords.
   1. Protective coats (Tunicae) : Each testis has three coverings – tunica vaginalis, tunica albuginea and tunica vasculosa. On one side each testis is covered by hollowed tunica vaginalis, a bilayer of peritoneum with a narrow coelomic cavity having coelomic fluid for sliding. The actual covering of testis is a fibrous connective tissue sheath called tunica albuginea. Tunica albuginea also projects inside testis to form a vertical coloumn called mediastinum and a number of transverse septa.
   2. Testicular lobules : In growth of the tunica albuginea, called septa, divide the testis into some 200 to 300 lobules. Each testicular lobule contains 1 – 4 highly convoluted seminiferous tubules, blood vessels and nerve embedded in loose connective tissue. A total of about 1000 seminiferous tubules occur in each testis. Each tubule is

about 70 – 80 cm long. In seminiferous tubules lumen develop after puberty. The ends of the seminiferous tubules converge toward the middle of the posterior surface of the testis and join to form short straight tubules called tubuli recti. The tubuli recti open into a network of wider, irregular tubules called rete testis. Here some of the epithelial cells bear a single cilium to aid sperm transport.

Seminiferous tubules : Each seminiferous tubules

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOOD CAPILLARY

CONNECTIVE TISSUE CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELL

SERTOLI CELL SPERMATOGONIUM

SPERMATOCYTE SPERMATID SPERMATOZOA

GERMINAL EPITHELIUM INTERSTITAL CELLS

 

Fig. – T.S. A seminiferous tubule (diagrammatic)

is lined by germinal epithelium, seminiferous tubules is the site of spermatogenesis. The process occurs in waves along the length of the tubule, taking about 9 weeks (63 days) to complete in man. Seminiferous tubules contain 2 types of cells –

1. Germ cells : These are spermatogenic cells by mitotic divisions, produce spermatogonia into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. The spermatogonia grow into primary spermatocytes which undergo meiosis, producing haploid cells, first secondary spermatocytes and then spermatids. Spermatids differentiate by a process of spermiogenesis into dimorphic haploid sperm (containing X or Y chromosome). Mature spermatozoa lie free in the cavity of the seminiferous tubules.
2. Somatic cells / Sertoli cells / Sustentacular cells / Nurse cells : These are supportive nutritive and secrete a polypeptide hormone called inhibin and a steroid estradiol which interferes with spermatogenic activity and kinetics of sperm production.
   • These are scattered irregularly between spermatogonia.
   • They also phagocytose damaged germ cells and secrete enzymes for sperm maturation.

 

 

 

• Rest on the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubule and its cytoplasm fills all the narrow spaces between the cells of the spermatogenic series. They have ovoid nucleus; exhibits deep identation and has large nucleolus. It has mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid droplets.
• Sertoli cells is the characteristics of mammalian testis.
• Sertoli cell acts as 'Nurse cell' and provide mechanical and metabolic support to developing germ cells.
• These cells mediate some important regulatory processes. Sertoli cells produce androgen binding protein (ABP) which serves as vector for androgen and thus generate a hormonal milieu synergistically with FSH to facilitate spermiogenesis.
• They do not divide and thus their number is constant.
• They are resistant to exogenous / endogenous challenges.

(3)Leydig cells ( = Interstitial cell)

1. These are endocrine cell of testes which lie in the form of clusters or singly in the interstitum (=space between seminiferous tubules).
2. They are stimulated by LH (=ICSH) elaborated by luteotroph cells of adenohypophysis which themselves are triggered into activity by LHRH.
3. Leydig cells secrete a sex steroids called androgen by using cholesterol. The cells contain a rich repertoire of enzymes which facilitate formation of pathways for steroid biosynthesis and biotransformation. These enzymes are called steroid-dehydrogenases.
4. Leydig cells are large, have voluminous eosinophilic cytoplasm, lipid, vacuoles. In humans (but in no other species) they contain elongated cytoplasmic crystals called crystals of Reinke.
5. Testosterone is the principal androgen. It acts in tandem with FSH to promote spermiogenesis. During pubertal changes it plays a critical anabolic role. It facilitates differentiation of secondary sex characters (change of voice, development of penis, spermatogenic activity, formation of facial hair/beard, pubic and axillary hair, moods, libido etc.)

Rete testis : This is a plexiform arrangement (Network) of space supported by highly vascular collagenous connective tissue. It is lined by cuboidal epithelial cells some of which bear flagella whose activity assists in forward migration of testicular sperm (which are immotile at this stage).

• The seminiferous tubules open into rete testis.

3. Vasa efferentia : Rete testis is connected to caput epididymis by 12 – 20 fine tubules called vasa efferentia or ductuli efferentes. Their lining epithelium is ciliated for conducting sperms.
   • Tubuli recti, rete testis and ductuli efferents constitutes an intertesticular genital duct system. The cells of vasa efferens are columnar ciliated.
4. Epididymis : On the inner wall of the testis, a highly coiled tubule is present called the epididymis. They are two long (4 – 6 m), narrow (0.4 mm) tubules which lie compacted along the testes from their upper ends to lower back sides.

Epididymes has 3 parts

1. Upper part (Heads) : Caput epididymis or globus major.
2. Middle part : Corpus epididymis or globus normal.
3. Basal part (Tail) : Cauda epididymis or globus minor.

 

 

 

• In the head of epididymis, the sperms undergo physiological maturation, acquiring increased motility and fertilizing capacity. Then they pass down into the tail of the epididymis where they are stored for a short period before entering the vas deferens.
• In epididymis the sperms are stored for a few hours to a few days till sent out through ejaculation.
• Spermatozoa are produced whether ejaculation takes place or not.
• The spermatozoa not ejaculated are reabsorbed in the vas deferens.
• The epididymis shows peristaltic and segmenting contraction at intervals to push the spermatozoa away from the testis.
• Testis and epididymis are together called testicle.

5. Vasa deferentia (Singular-vas dererens) : The vas deferens is a continuation of the cauda epididymis. It is about 40cm. long and is slightly coiled at first but becomes straight as it enters the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal. Here, it passes over the urinary bladder, curves round the ureter and joins the duct of a seminal vesicle to form an ejaculatory duct. Near its end, the vas deferens is enlarged to form a spindle-like ampulla for the temporary storage of spermatozoa. At its distal end the ampulla receives a duct from seminal vesicle.
   • Vasa deferentia (ducti deferentes) conduct sperms from epididymis to urethra.
   • Surgical interference (vasectomy) of vas deferens ensure successful non-reversible male contraception.

Difference between Vasa efferentia and Vasa deferentia

 

S.No.	Vasa efferentia	Vasa deferentia
1.