Week 8 - Accessory sex glands
Explain the accessory sex glands in the males and add a note on their role.
1) Prostate - single gland (unpaired); it contains the urethra and receives the ejaculatory ducts. 2) Seminal Vesicles = paired glands located near the bladder and the prostate gland. 3) Bulbourethral glands = paired, compound tubulo-alveoular glands
Fructose secreted by the seminal vesicles helps in neutralising the acidic environment of the male urethra helps in sperm motility ATP production by the sperm all of the above
ATP production by the sperm the fructose of the seminal vesicle is used by the sperm for ATP production.
LABEL:
Left ureter Prostate gland Right ductus (vas) deferens Seminal vesicle Seminal vesicle duct Bulbourethral or Cowper's Gland
What is semen? Explain its function.
Mixture of sperm & seminal fluid - glandular secretions and fluid of seminiferous tubules - slightly alkaline, milky appearance, sticky - contains nutrients, clotting proteins & antibiotic seminal plasmin Typical ejaculate is 2.5 to 5 ml in volume Normal sperm count is 50 to 150 million/ml - actions of many are needed for one to enter Coagulates within 5 minutes -- reliquefies in 15 due to enzymes produced by the prostate gland
Bulbourethral or Cowper's Gland
Paired, pea-sized gland Secretes alkaline mucous into spongy urethra Neutralizes acids and lubricates
Describe the role of each component of secretion of the seminal vesicle.
Seminal vesicles Pair of pouchlike organs found posterior to base of bladder Alkaline, viscous fluid - neutralizes vaginal acid & male urethra fructose for ATP production prostaglandins stimulate sperm motility & viability clotting proteins for coagulation of semen
What is the role of the prostate in the males?
Single organ the size of chestnut found inferior to bladder Secretes milky, pH 6.5 fluid that increases sperm motility and viability - citric acid for ATP production & enzymes for seminal liquefaction Many duct openings Enlarges with age
Which accessory sex gland in the males can enlarge with age Seminal vesicles prostate bulbourethral glands All of the above
The prostate can enlarge after 45 years of age.
Discuss the role of the accessory sex gland secretions.
They produce components of semen, the prostatic, and seminal fluids.
Seminal fluid helps the sperm in all of the following, EXCEPT nutrition protection transportation capacitation
capacitation seminal fluid provides a medium of transport for the sperms. It also contains substances that increase motility and viability of the sperm. It also contains alkaline substances that neutralise the acidity of the female reproductive tract. However capacitation happens due to cervical mucus that helps the sperm fertilise the ovum.
___________ help in sperm motility acid phosphatase fructose prostaglandins citric acid
prostaglandins prostaglandins contribute to sperm motility and viability. The fructose and citric acid is used by the sperm for ATP production. The function of the acid phosphatase is unknown.
The antibiotic that can destroy bacteria in the semen is seminalplasmin prostate-specific antigen acid phosphatase citric acid
seminalplasmin seminal plasmin in prostatic fluid is an antibiotic and may help decrease bacteria in semen.
