ABSTRACT
The present paper describes the ultrastructural characteristics of the bulbo-urethral gland (Cowper' glands) of the Indian fruit bat, R. leschenaulti during sexually inactive-breeding cycle. Cyclic histological changes during the seasonal breeding quiescence cycle are not well marked. There are no marked differences. The ultrastructural characteristic of the secretory epithelial cells of Bulbo-Uretrhal Gland gland have been studied during different phases of reproductive cycle. The secretory epithelial cells are characterized by the well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, extensive developed complexus golgiensis (Golgi apparatus) and mitochondria. Mitochondria with lamellate cristae are dispersed in the cytoplasm. Three different types of secretory granules can be identified on the basis of electron density. These granules are not of different types but they represent the different stages of granule maturation. The secretory products of bulbo-urethral gland of bat are released into lumen both by apocrine and merocrine modes. The functional significance of the secretions of the bulbo-urethral glands in reproduction is discussed.
El presente trabajo describe las características ultraestructurales de las glándulas bulbouretrales (glándulas de Cowper) del murciélago de la fruta de la India, R. leschenaulti durante el ciclo inactivo de reproducción sexual. Los cambios histológicos cíclicos durante el ciclo de quiescencia estacional de la cría no están bien determinados. No hay diferencias marcadas. La característica ultra estructural de las células epiteliales secretoras de la glándula bulbouretral ha sido estudiada durante diferentes fases del ciclo reproductivo. Las células epiteliales secretoras se caracterizan por un retículo endoplasmático rugoso bien desarrollado, el complexus golgiensis (complejo de Golgi) y mitocondrias desarrollados extensamente. Las mitocondrias con crestas lamelares se encontraron dispersas en el citoplasma. Se pueden identificar tres tipos diferentes de gránulos secretores en base a la densidad de electrones. Estos gránulos no son de tipos diferentes, sino que representan las diferentes etapas de maduración del gránulo. Los productos secretores de las glándulas bulbouretrales de murciélagos son liberados en el lumen tanto por modos apócrinos como merócrinos. Se discute la importancia funcional de las secreciones de la glándula bulbouretral en la reproducción.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bulbourethral Glands/ultrastructure , Chiroptera/anatomy & histology , Epithelial Cells/ultrastructure , Acinar Cells/ultrastructure , Bulbourethral Glands/metabolism , ReproductionABSTRACT
Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to determine the topography, biometry and light microscopyimage of the vesicular and bulbourethral glands in order to analyze morphologic features of the accessorysexual glands in castrated and non-castrated animals.Materials and Methods:The morphology of theaccessory sexual glands was investigated in 14 adult Santa Inesbreed sheep, weighing 32 kg, on average.Six of them were castrated, and eight, non-castrated. For macroscopic study, the description of these twoglands was carried out, as well as dissection and biometry study. Moreover, weight, length, height andwidth measurements were evaluated. For histological analysis, the vesicular and bulbourethral glands weresampled.Results:The topography of the reproductive glands was similar to bovine species. However, lowermacroscopic measurements (p < 0,05) in the glands of the castrated sheep were evidenced when comparedwith the non-castrated ones. Characteristics such as shape of the glands, composition of the layer mucosa,the lamina propria, muscular, the excretory ducts and the adventitia were determined.Conclusion:Sheepcastration promoted changes in the biometric measures of the glands, which were lower in castrated animals.The morphological and biometric characteristics of the vesicular and bulbourethral glands in sheep weredetermined.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Biometry , Bulbourethral Glands/anatomy & histology , Bulbourethral Glands/ultrastructure , Seminal Vesicles/anatomy & histology , Seminal Vesicles/ultrastructure , Histology , Sheep/anatomy & histology , Castration/adverse effects , Dissection , Data Interpretation, StatisticalABSTRACT
A study was conducted on the bulbourethral glands of 30 Gaddi goats, divided into three groups of 10 animals in each viz; Prepubertal (1 day old to < 18 months of age), Pubertal (18 months to < 5yrs of age) and Postpubertal (>5yrs of age). The study revealed that the glands grew at a faster speed up-to 6 months of postnatal life after which the pace slowed down considerably. Almost 10 times increase in weight and more than three times increase in all the linear mensurations were observed in prepubertal group from the time of birth. The stroma vs parenchyma ratio which was 80:20 in one-day-old kids showed three times increase in parenchyma in prepubertal animals, and the ratio became 43:57. In one day old kids luminated and non-luminated secretory end pieces were arranged in small groups around widely luminated duct; the forerunner of the central cistern. Initially the gland contained serous as well mucous end pieces; the latter being more preponderant. But in pubertal animals it became a mucous type gland, with only a little numbers of serous end pieces. Histochemically, the glandular acini were reactive to PAS and Alcian blue indicated the presence of glycol-muco-complex in the secretory components of gland.
Se realizó un estudio sobre las glándulas bulbouretrales de 30 cabras Gaddi, divididas en tres grupos de 10 animales cada uno; prepúberes (desde 1 día de edad hasta <18 meses), púberes (desde 18 meses hasta <5 años de edad) y postpuberales (>5 años de edad). El estudio reveló que las glándulas crecen a una mayor velocidad hasta los 6 meses de vida postnatal, después de lo cual el ritmo baja considerablemente. En el grupo prepuberal se observó un aumento casi 10 veces en peso y más de tres veces en todas las mediciones lineales. La relación estroma v/s parénquima fue de 80:20 el primer día postnacimiento, mostrando un aumento de tres veces en el parénquima en los animales prepúberes, llegando a una proporción 43:57. En una de las cabras de un día de edad las piezas terminales secretoras luminal y no-luminal se organizaron en pequeños grupos alrededor del conducto luminal; el precursor de la cisterna central. Inicialmente la glándula contenía piezas terminales serosas y mucosas. Esta última tenía una mayor preponderancia. Sin embargo, en animales puberales se convirtió en una glándula de tipo mucosa, con sólo un pequeño número de piezas terminales serosas. Histoquímicamente, los acinos glandulares reactivos al PAS y azul Alcian indicaron la presencia de glicol-muco-complejos en los componentes de secreción de la glándula.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Bulbourethral Glands/anatomy & histology , Goats , Bulbourethral Glands/ultrastructure , Immunohistochemistry , Photomicrography , Age FactorsABSTRACT
As características morfológicas das glândulas coaguladoras de sêmen e bulbouretrais säo reexaminadas, na cobaia, ao nível do microscópio óptico. As glândulas coaguladoras säo formadas por três túnicas distintas e superpostas: a mucosa, revestida por epitélio cilíndrico simples, alto, e ativamente secretor; a muscular lisa com dois estratos distintos, circular interno e longitudinal externo; e delgada adventícia fibrosa. O epitélio repousa sobre delgada membrana basal e uma delicada lâmina própria, de tecido conjuntivo frouxo, separa a mucosa da muscular, subjacente. Estas glândulas foram consideradas como parte do complexo prostático, mas de acordo com nossas observaçöes, em verdade, elas estabelecem estreita sintopia com a parte distal das vesículas seminais, em cuja estrutura se incluem. Elas também fazem relaçäo com o lobo dorsal da próstata. As glândulas bulbouretrais têm composiçäo acinar alveolar e descarregam sua secreçäo, através de ductos múltiplos, na uretra membranosa. A secreçäo das bulbouretrais se mistura à das outras glândulas anexas na uretra membranosa. A coagulaçäo do líquido seminal parece ser o principal papel da secreçäo combinada de ambas as glândulas