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Related Concept Videos

Testes: Histology01:27

Testes: Histology

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A tough, fibrous membrane, the tunica albuginea, covers the testes, extending inward to form fibrous partitions or septa, dividing them into internal compartments called lobules. Each lobule has 1 to 3 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs. These tubules merge into a tubular network at the back of the testis, known as the rete testis. It connects to 15 to 20 efferent ductules, leading to the epididymis.
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The testes, also known as testicles, are the male gonads. They are housed within the scrotum, a sac-like structure located beneath the penis. The scrotum's primary role is to regulate the temperature of the testes, which is crucial for sperm production.
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Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes
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Immunologic Environment of the Testis.

Maolei Gong1, Daishu Han2,3

  • 1Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|August 28, 2021
PubMed
Summary

The mammalian testis has unique immune defenses to protect developing sperm cells. Disruptions to this testicular immune system can cause infertility, highlighting the need for further research into its regulation.

Keywords:
Immune privilegeInnate immunityOrchitisPattern recognition receptorTestis

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive immunology
  • Male reproductive system biology

Background:

  • Spermatogenesis requires a specialized testicular microenvironment.
  • The testis exhibits unique immunologic features, including immune privilege and innate defense.
  • Immune dysregulation in the testis can lead to male infertility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms of testicular immune privilege.
  • To investigate the local innate immunity within the testis.
  • To understand immunologic diseases affecting testicular function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on testicular immunology.
  • Analysis of the immunologic adaptations in the mammalian testis.
  • Examination of pathological conditions impacting testicular immune homeostasis.

Main Results:

  • The testis is immunologically privileged, protecting germ cells from immune attack.
  • A robust innate immune system defends the testis against microbial infections.
  • Pathologic conditions can disrupt testicular immune balance, contributing to infertility.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding testicular immunoregulation is crucial for addressing male infertility.
  • Strategies for preventing and treating immunologic testicular dysfunction can be developed.
  • Further research into immune privilege, innate immunity, and testicular diseases is warranted.