Structural and biochemical characteristics of the male accessory organs of reproduction in the hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

1978 ◽  
Vol 201 (1143) ◽  
pp. 191-207 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Citric Acid ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Ductus Deferens ◽  
Chemical Examination ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Cauda Epididymidis

A description is given of the male reproductive tract in the South Australian marsupial, the hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons ; the study was based mainly on material obtained from animals shot in the field during the period October-December, but a few observations on captive wombats are also reported. The testes, located in a pre-penile scrotum, contained in the region of the ductuli efferentes a characteristic pigment, which occasionally extended as far as the caput epididymidis. The cauda epididymidis was enclosed within a separate pocket formed by the tunica vaginalis. The ductus deferens had no ampulla. The penis, bifid at the tip, was held in an S-bend position by the retractor penis muscles. The male accessory apparatus was of a highly complex type. In addition to the carrot-shaped prostate gland with three clearly discernible portions (anterior, central and posterior), three other pairs of glands were identified, which for the purpose of the present study have been designated as ‘Cowper’s glands’ ( A , B , and C ) without implying, however, that they are strictly analogous to the Cowper’s gland of eutherian mammals. Chemical examination of the male accessory glands led to the identification of a number of chemical substances, including fructose, sorbitol, glycogen, glucose, inositol, glycerol, citric acid, sialic acid, N -acetylglucosamine and N -acetylgalactosamine. The three most characteristic constituents of the anterior, central and posterior segments of the prostate gland were sorbitol, fructose and glycogen, respectively; the central and posterior segment of the prostate contained also some glucose and N -acetylhexosamine. Citric acid was shown to occur at high concentration in the Cowper’s gland A while the C gland was characteristically rich in sialic acid. A description is given of spermatozoa which had been recovered from the urine.

Changes in the Male Reproductive Organs of the Dugong, Dugong dugon (Sirenia: Dugondidae) with Age and Reproductive Activity

1984 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Marsh ◽  
GE Heinsohn ◽  
TD Glover
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Growth Layer ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Quantitative Examination ◽  
Testicular Histology

The anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the dugong (Dugong dugon) is described. Each testis and its adjacent epididymis lie immediately caudal to the corresponding kidney. The seminal vesicles are large but there is no discrete prostate gland and the bulbo-urethral glands are also diffuse. Both qualitative and quantitative examination of the testes and epididymides of 59 males whose ages have been estimated from tusk dentinal growth layer counts indicate that the male dugong does not produce spermatozoa continuously, despite the absence of a distinct breeding season. Individual dugongs were observed with testes at all stages between complete quiescence and full spermatogenesis, and only 10 of the 40 mature males had fully spermatogenic testes and epididymides packed with spermatozoa. Androgenic and spermatogenic activity of the testes appeared to be in phase, but the testicular histology of some old males suggested that they may have been sterile for long periods.

scholarly journals Location of a membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme (CA IV) in the human male reproductive tract.

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 751-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Parkkila ◽  
A K Parkkila ◽  
K Kaunisto ◽  
A Waheed ◽  
W S Sly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Carbonic Anhydrase ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Apical Plasma Membrane ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Ductus Deferens ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Membrane Bound

We studied the location of a membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase (CA IV) in the human male reproductive tract using a specific antiserum to human CA IV in conjunction with immunoblotting, immunoperoxidase, and immunofluorescence techniques. The microvilli and apical plasma membrane of the epithelial cells and the subepithelial smooth muscle layer of the epididymis, ductus deferens, and ampulla of the ductus deferens showed specific staining for CA IV. The epithelial cells of the prostate and seminal vesicle failed to stain for CA IV, however, whereas the subepithelial smooth muscle layer showed positive staining. No specific staining for CA II was seen in the epithelium of the epididymal duct or the proximal ductus deferens. The presence of CA IV in the epididymis was confirmed by immunoblotting, which revealed 35 KD and 33 KD polypeptides. The results show that the microvilli and the apical plasma membrane of the lining epithelium of the epididymal duct, ductus deferens, and ampulla of the ductus deferens contain the membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme IV. The presence of the enzyme in the epithelium of the epididymis and ductus deferens is probably linked to the acidification of the epididymal fluid that prevents premature sperm activation. Its physiological role in the smooth muscle cells remains to be elucidated.

X-Ray Diffraction Study on Human Male Reproductive Tract and Semen

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.P. Skandhan ◽  
S. Amith ◽  
K.P.S. Avni
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Vesicle ◽  
Calcium Silicate ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Barium Silicate ◽  
Copper Gold

In the present study authors had separated testis, epididymis-caput, corpus, cauda, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate gland and bulbourethral gland from human male reproductive tract, made it to ash form. Semen also underwent same procedure. All samples had undergone X-ray diffraction analysis. Results Results showed there where two distinct rings for each sample. We named it is “A” &” B”. Under “A” Barium silicate, Barium silicate hydrate and three metal complexes of copper, gold and zinc were seen. Under “B” Calcium silicate and calcium silicate hydrate were observed. Both “A” and “B” were seen throughout the length (expect for “A” is seminal vesicle) and in semen. Conclusions A tri metal complex of copper, gold and zinc is reported in this study, is first of its kind in Biology.

Morphometry of the testis follicles in Triatoma rubrofasciata (De Geer, 1773) (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

2007 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Cristina Monte Gonçalves ◽  
Simone Patrícia Carneiro Freitas ◽  
Jacenir Reis Dos Santos-Mallet ◽  
José Eduardo Serrão ◽  
Elias Seixas Lorosa
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Morphometrical Analysis ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Triatoma Rubrofasciata

AbstractThe male reproductive tract in Triatominae has a pair of testes, two vasa deferentia, a pair of seminal vesicles, four pairs of accessory glands, and an ejaculatory duct, which opens in the aedeagus. In species of the genus Triatoma each testis is formed by seven testicular follicles. Because Triatoma rubrofasciata has a common ancestor with species of Triatoma occurring in North America and because the length of testis follicles varies among different species of Triatoma a morphometrical analysis of the follicles was conducted. Triatoma rubrofasciata has seven testis follicles of variable length that are similar between left and right testes. The statistics allowed the classification in a long follicle, two medium follicles, two that are short, and two that are very short. This finding is compared with data available for other Triatominae and it is emphasized that the length of follicles testis should be included in future phylogenetic analysis of Triatominae.

Ultrastructure of the male reproductive system in a rumen amphistome Cotylophoron cotylophorum

1994 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-258
Author(s):  
P.N. Sharma ◽  
G. Swarnakar ◽  
R.E.B. Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Longitudinal Muscle ◽  
Prostate Gland ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Ultrastructural Organization ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Duct Epithelium ◽  
Internal Lining ◽  
Entire Male

AbstractThe ultrastructure of various regions of the male reproductive tract and the prostate gland of Cotylophoron cotylophorum (Trematoda: Digenea) is described. The internal lining of the entire male duct system is syncytial in nature, and regional variation is quite evident. The syncytial epithelium of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle is very thin, flat and lamellate and the lumen is packed with spermatozoa. In the pars musculosa (PM) the syncytium is also flat but lamellae are sparsely distributed and anastomosed at places to form loops. The syncytium of the PM is invested by several layers of circular and longitudinal muscle. The pars prostatica (PP) is lined by an uneven but moderately thick syncytial epithelium with nuclei projecting into the lumen. The syncytium bears numerous very long lamellae. The ejaculatory duct epithelium is devoid of lamellae. It is even and moderately thick throughout. The prostate gland cells are uneven in outline and bear long ducts which open into the lumen of the PP. They show an ultrastructural organization suggestive of protein secretion.

CHANGES IN THE SIALIC ACID CONTENT OF THE ACCESSORY GLANDS OF THE MALE RAT

1968 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. RAJALAKSHMI ◽  
M. R. N. PRASAD
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Acid Content ◽  
The Other ◽  
Considerable Reduction ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Albino Rat ◽  
Sialic Acid Content ◽  
Ductus Deferens ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Circulating Levels

SUMMARY Sialic acid is secreted by the testis, epididymis, ductus deferens and Cowper's gland of the male albino rat. Castration results in a considerable reduction in the sialic acid content of these organs. Androgen administration to castrated rats elevates the sialic acid levels in Cowper's gland to control values, while that of the other organs is only partially restored. This is probably due to the presence of spermatozoa in the epididymis in the control animals and is supported by the decreased values of sialic acid in animals with ligatures. The physiological integrity of the epididymal canal and Cowper's gland is thus dependent on the circulating levels of androgen.

scholarly journals Unraveling the role of male reproductive tract and haemolymph in cantharidin-exuding Lydus trimaculatus and Mylabris variabilis (Coleoptera: Meloidae): a comparative transcriptomics approach

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiliano Fratini ◽  
Marco Salvemini ◽  
Fabrizio Lombardo ◽  
Maurizio Muzzi ◽  
Marco Molfini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Reflex Bleeding ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Conserved Genes ◽  
Blister Beetle

Abstract Background Meloidae (blister beetles) are known to synthetize cantharidin (CA), a toxic and defensive terpene mainly stored in male accessory glands (MAG) and emitted outward through reflex-bleeding. Recent progresses in understanding CA biosynthesis and production organ(s) in Meloidae have been made, but the way in which self-protection is achieved from the hazardous accumulation and release of CA in blister beetles has been experimentally neglected. To provide hints on this pending question, a comparative de novo assembly transcriptomic approach was performed by targeting two tissues where CA is largely accumulated and regularly circulates in Meloidae: the male reproductive tract (MRT) and the haemolymph. Differential gene expression profiles in these tissues were examined in two blister beetle species, Lydus trimaculatus (Fabricius, 1775) (tribe Lyttini) and Mylabris variabilis (Pallas, 1781) (tribe Mylabrini). Upregulated transcripts were compared between the two species to identify conserved genes possibly involved in CA detoxification and transport. Results Based on our results, we hypothesize that, to avoid auto-intoxication, ABC, MFS or other solute transporters might sequester purported glycosylated CA precursors into MAG, and lipocalins could bind CA and mitigate its reactivity when released into the haemolymph during the autohaemorrhaging response. We also found an over-representation in haemolymph of protein-domains related to coagulation and integument repairing mechanisms that likely reflects the need to limit fluid loss during reflex-bleeding. Conclusions The de novo assembled transcriptomes of L. trimaculatus and M. variabilis here provided represent valuable genetic resources to further explore the mechanisms employed to cope with toxicity of CA in blister beetle tissues. These, if revealed, might help conceiving safe and effective drug-delivery approaches to enhance the use of CA in medicine.

Induction of prostatic morphology and secretion in urothelium by seminal vesicle mesenchyme

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
pp. 2199-2207 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Donjacour ◽  
G.R. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Vesicle ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Urogenital Sinus ◽  
Secretory Proteins ◽  
Ductus Deferens ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Mesodermal Origin ◽  
Tissue Recombination ◽  
Endodermal Origin ◽  
Recombination Experiments

Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions are essential for the development of the male reproductive tract. Tissue recombination experiments have been used to define the characteristics of these interactions. When mesenchyme, embryonic connective tissue, is recombined with epithelium from another organ an instructive induction may occur in which the developmental fate of the epithelium is altered. Instructive inductions are most common when the epithelium that is removed from the mesenchyme and the epithelium that is recombined with the mesenchyme are from the same germ layer. All of the mesenchyme of the male reproductive tract is of mesodermal origin. The epithelia of these organs are derived from either the mesodermal Wolffian duct epithelium or the endodermal urogenital sinus epithelium. Urogenital sinus mesenchyme can instructively induce bladder and urethral epithelium to form prostate (Donjacour, A. A. and Cunha, G. R. (1993) Endocrinol. 132, 2342–2350) and seminal vesicle mesenchyme can instructively induce epithelium from the ductus deferens and ureter (Cunha, G. R., Young, P., Higgins, S. J. and Cooke, P. S. (1991) Development 111, 145–158) to form seminal vesicle. To see whether inductive interactions could occur across germ layers in this system, seminal vesicle mesenchyme, normally associated with a mesodermal epithelium, was recombined with epithelium from neonatal or adult bladder or urethra, which are of endodermal origin. The resulting tissue recombinants were analyzed histologically and by immunocytochemistry and western blotting with antibodies to prostatic and seminal vesicle secretory proteins. Full prostatic differentiation was observed in tissue recombinants made with seminal vesicle mesenchyme plus either adult or neonatal bladder or urethral epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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