Welcome back to the EverythingABUAD study portal! This page is a complete, student-written study companion for PHS 220 – Male Reproductive Physiology, prepared for ABUAD 200 Level Pharmacy students (Second Semester).
Male reproductive physiology is built on one clean feedback axis and a couple of cell types doing specific jobs. Students most often confuse the roles of the Leydig and Sertoli cells. Below we break the axis and its targets down in plain language, flag the high-yield comparisons, and give you original practice questions with worked answers. The full study guide is available in the interactive reader at the end as a free bonus.
- Course: PHS 220 – Physiology II
- College / Department: College of Pharmacy / Pharmacy
- Level / Semester: 200 Level, Second Semester
- Topics covered: The HPG axis, testosterone, spermatogenesis, erection & ejaculation, male hypogonadism, male contraception
- Best for: Continuous assessment + final exam revision
Topics Covered in PHS 220: Male Reproductive Physiology
1. The Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) Axis
GnRH drives FSH and LH; LH acts on Leydig cells to make testosterone, while FSH acts on Sertoli cells to support sperm production. Exam tip: 'LH → Leydig' and 'FSH → Sertoli' is the pairing examiners test most — lock it in first.
2. Testosterone: Production & Actions
Leydig cells make testosterone, which drives male sexual development, libido, muscle and bone mass, and feeds back negatively on the brain. Exam tip: separate the developmental (puberty) actions from the maintenance actions, and remember some effects require conversion to DHT or oestrogen.
3. Spermatogenesis
Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules with Sertoli cells acting as 'nurse' cells that nourish developing germ cells and form the blood-testis barrier. Exam tip: know the role of the Sertoli cell and that FSH plus local testosterone are both required for normal sperm production.
4. Erection & Ejaculation
Erection is a parasympathetic, nitric-oxide-mediated vascular event; ejaculation is sympathetically driven. Exam tip: 'point and shoot' — Parasympathetic for erection (point), Sympathetic for ejaculation (shoot) — is a reliable memory hook.
5. Male Hypogonadism
Low testosterone can be primary (testicular) or secondary (pituitary/hypothalamic), distinguished by the gonadotrophin levels. Exam tip: high LH/FSH with low testosterone points to a testicular cause; low or normal gonadotrophins point to a central cause.
6. Vasectomy & Male Contraception
Vasectomy cuts the vas deferens, blocking sperm transport while leaving testosterone production intact. Exam tip: be clear that hormone levels and libido are unaffected — only the delivery of sperm is interrupted.
Sample Practice Questions (With Answers)
Here are a few representative questions, written in our own words, with the reasoning explained so you understand the why — not just the answer:
Q. Which cells produce testosterone, and which pituitary hormone stimulates them?
Answer: The Leydig (interstitial) cells of the testis produce testosterone, and they are stimulated by luteinising hormone (LH). The pairing 'LH acts on Leydig cells' is worth memorising directly.
Q. What is the role of the Sertoli cell in spermatogenesis?
Answer: Sertoli cells act as 'nurse' cells: they nourish and support developing germ cells, respond to FSH, and form the blood-testis barrier that protects maturing sperm. Normal sperm production needs both FSH and locally high testosterone.
Q. A man has low testosterone with high LH and FSH. Is the cause primary or secondary, and why?
Answer: Primary (testicular). The high gonadotrophins show the pituitary is trying to drive failing testes — the feedback loop is intact but the gonad cannot respond. Low or normal gonadotrophins would instead point to a central (secondary) cause.
How to Study PHS 220 (Male Reproductive Physiology) Effectively
- Lock in 'LH → Leydig → testosterone' and 'FSH → Sertoli → sperm support' before anything else.
- Use 'point and shoot' for the parasympathetic/sympathetic control of erection and ejaculation.
- Distinguish primary from secondary hypogonadism by reading the gonadotrophin levels.
- Understand the axis here, then test recall with the workbook before your exam.
Download the Full PHS 220 Male Reproductive Physiology Study Guide
Ready to revise? Use the interactive reader below to read the full male reproductive physiology study guide with diagrams and worked detail. You can read it directly on the page or download it for offline revision before your exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this PHS 220 material free?
Yes — every resource on EverythingABUAD is completely free for ABUAD students.
Does this cover the full PHS 220 syllabus?
This guide covers the male reproductive physiology portion of the PHS 220 syllabus. Work through it alongside the other PHS 220 topic guides on EverythingABUAD, and always cross-check against your lecturer’s current outline.
Will these exact questions appear in my exam?
No. These are original practice questions written for revision only and are not a prediction of the actual exam.
About this resource: All summaries, explanations, study tips, and practice questions on this page were written, paraphrased, and adapted by the EverythingABUAD student team to support exam revision. This is an original study aid, not an official ABUAD document, and it is not a prediction of any future exam.
