Lecture 9 - Male Reproductive System:Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands | Animal Physiology and Functional Histology- I - MBBS PDF Download

 Page 1


Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson : Male Reproductive System:   
Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
Lesson Developer: Dr. Gayatri Prakash  
College/Department: Department of Zoology,  
Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Page 2


Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson : Male Reproductive System:   
Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
Lesson Developer: Dr. Gayatri Prakash  
College/Department: Department of Zoology,  
Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
1 
 
Table of Contents 
? Male Genital Ducts 
? Rete Testes  
?  Vasa Efferentia  
? Epididymis  
? Vas Deferens or Ductus Deferens  
? Ejaculatory Duct 
? Urethra 
? The Male Organ-Penis 
? Sperm Transport in the Male Genital Ducts 
? Accessory Sex Glands  
? Seminal Vesicles 
? Prostate Gland 
? Coagulating Glands  
? Bulbo-urethral (Cowper’s) gland  
? Urethral (Littre’s) glands 
? Preputial Glands 
? Inguinal glands  
? Effects of Castration on Accessory Glands of Reproduction 
in Males 
? Summary  
? Glossary 
? Exercises 
? References  
 
 
 
Page 3


Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson : Male Reproductive System:   
Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
Lesson Developer: Dr. Gayatri Prakash  
College/Department: Department of Zoology,  
Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
1 
 
Table of Contents 
? Male Genital Ducts 
? Rete Testes  
?  Vasa Efferentia  
? Epididymis  
? Vas Deferens or Ductus Deferens  
? Ejaculatory Duct 
? Urethra 
? The Male Organ-Penis 
? Sperm Transport in the Male Genital Ducts 
? Accessory Sex Glands  
? Seminal Vesicles 
? Prostate Gland 
? Coagulating Glands  
? Bulbo-urethral (Cowper’s) gland  
? Urethral (Littre’s) glands 
? Preputial Glands 
? Inguinal glands  
? Effects of Castration on Accessory Glands of Reproduction 
in Males 
? Summary  
? Glossary 
? Exercises 
? References  
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
2 
 
Male Genital Ducts 
The spermatozoa and testicular fluid after their release into the lumen of seminiferous 
tubules (Spermiation process) are propelled toward the rete testis, from where they 
move through a series of coiled ducts, the efferent ducts called vasa efferentia or 
ductuli efferentes and the epididymis into a single tube known as the vas deferens also 
called as ductus deferens or ductus epididymis (Figure 1).  At the ampulla of vas 
deferens, it forms the ejaculatory duct followed by the urethra which finally opens to 
the exterior through penis. 
 
 
 
Figure 1: Ducts of testis- vasa efferentia, epididymis, and vas 
deferens 
Source: Author 
 
1. Rete Testes 
The rete testis is composed of wide anastomosing channels.  These channels course 
upward toward the ductuli efferentes.  The spaces of rete testis are lined by a simple 
epithelium, and some of these cells have a flagellum.  The rete testis tubules become wider 
Page 4


Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson : Male Reproductive System:   
Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
Lesson Developer: Dr. Gayatri Prakash  
College/Department: Department of Zoology,  
Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
1 
 
Table of Contents 
? Male Genital Ducts 
? Rete Testes  
?  Vasa Efferentia  
? Epididymis  
? Vas Deferens or Ductus Deferens  
? Ejaculatory Duct 
? Urethra 
? The Male Organ-Penis 
? Sperm Transport in the Male Genital Ducts 
? Accessory Sex Glands  
? Seminal Vesicles 
? Prostate Gland 
? Coagulating Glands  
? Bulbo-urethral (Cowper’s) gland  
? Urethral (Littre’s) glands 
? Preputial Glands 
? Inguinal glands  
? Effects of Castration on Accessory Glands of Reproduction 
in Males 
? Summary  
? Glossary 
? Exercises 
? References  
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
2 
 
Male Genital Ducts 
The spermatozoa and testicular fluid after their release into the lumen of seminiferous 
tubules (Spermiation process) are propelled toward the rete testis, from where they 
move through a series of coiled ducts, the efferent ducts called vasa efferentia or 
ductuli efferentes and the epididymis into a single tube known as the vas deferens also 
called as ductus deferens or ductus epididymis (Figure 1).  At the ampulla of vas 
deferens, it forms the ejaculatory duct followed by the urethra which finally opens to 
the exterior through penis. 
 
 
 
Figure 1: Ducts of testis- vasa efferentia, epididymis, and vas 
deferens 
Source: Author 
 
1. Rete Testes 
The rete testis is composed of wide anastomosing channels.  These channels course 
upward toward the ductuli efferentes.  The spaces of rete testis are lined by a simple 
epithelium, and some of these cells have a flagellum.  The rete testis tubules become wider 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
3 
as these approach the efferent ductules.  No secretion droplets are present here.  There is 
no definite lamina propria and smooth muscle on or around the rete testis. 
 
2. Vasa Efferentia 
From the rete testis arise eight to fifteen tubules known as the vasa efferentia (ductuli 
efferentes or efferent ductules). These are derived embryologically from the persisting 
mesonephric tubules. Vasa efferentia are straight tubules at their origin, but become highly 
convoluted as these pass into the head of the epididymis.  The epithelium of the vasa 
efferentia is simple and consists of two types of cells.  These are i) tall columnar ciliated cells 
and ii) non-ciliated cuboidal cells, which are apparently absorptive. Basal cells may 
occasionally be present in the epithelium to give it in part a pseudostratified look.  The lumen of 
the tubules thus appears folded or wavy due to varying heights of the cells (Figure 2). The 
epithelium rests on a basement membrane and gives externally the tubules a smooth contour.  
Beneath the basement membrane is a thin layer of dense connective tissue known as lamina 
propria.  It contains many capillaries and smooth muscle fibers.  Both types of cells, tall and low 
are secretary in function.  Bleb-like secretion droplets can be seen adhering to the free surface of 
the non-ciliated cells.  As the tubules approach the epididymis, the distal ends of the efferent 
ductules are lined with mainly tall (columnar) cells, so that the lumens have an even contour with 
very few folds.   
 
 
 
Figure 2: Transverse section of Vasa Efferentes of adult Man. 
Source: Author 
3. Epididymis  
Page 5


Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lesson : Male Reproductive System:   
Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
Lesson Developer: Dr. Gayatri Prakash  
College/Department: Department of Zoology,  
Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
1 
 
Table of Contents 
? Male Genital Ducts 
? Rete Testes  
?  Vasa Efferentia  
? Epididymis  
? Vas Deferens or Ductus Deferens  
? Ejaculatory Duct 
? Urethra 
? The Male Organ-Penis 
? Sperm Transport in the Male Genital Ducts 
? Accessory Sex Glands  
? Seminal Vesicles 
? Prostate Gland 
? Coagulating Glands  
? Bulbo-urethral (Cowper’s) gland  
? Urethral (Littre’s) glands 
? Preputial Glands 
? Inguinal glands  
? Effects of Castration on Accessory Glands of Reproduction 
in Males 
? Summary  
? Glossary 
? Exercises 
? References  
 
 
 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
2 
 
Male Genital Ducts 
The spermatozoa and testicular fluid after their release into the lumen of seminiferous 
tubules (Spermiation process) are propelled toward the rete testis, from where they 
move through a series of coiled ducts, the efferent ducts called vasa efferentia or 
ductuli efferentes and the epididymis into a single tube known as the vas deferens also 
called as ductus deferens or ductus epididymis (Figure 1).  At the ampulla of vas 
deferens, it forms the ejaculatory duct followed by the urethra which finally opens to 
the exterior through penis. 
 
 
 
Figure 1: Ducts of testis- vasa efferentia, epididymis, and vas 
deferens 
Source: Author 
 
1. Rete Testes 
The rete testis is composed of wide anastomosing channels.  These channels course 
upward toward the ductuli efferentes.  The spaces of rete testis are lined by a simple 
epithelium, and some of these cells have a flagellum.  The rete testis tubules become wider 
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
3 
as these approach the efferent ductules.  No secretion droplets are present here.  There is 
no definite lamina propria and smooth muscle on or around the rete testis. 
 
2. Vasa Efferentia 
From the rete testis arise eight to fifteen tubules known as the vasa efferentia (ductuli 
efferentes or efferent ductules). These are derived embryologically from the persisting 
mesonephric tubules. Vasa efferentia are straight tubules at their origin, but become highly 
convoluted as these pass into the head of the epididymis.  The epithelium of the vasa 
efferentia is simple and consists of two types of cells.  These are i) tall columnar ciliated cells 
and ii) non-ciliated cuboidal cells, which are apparently absorptive. Basal cells may 
occasionally be present in the epithelium to give it in part a pseudostratified look.  The lumen of 
the tubules thus appears folded or wavy due to varying heights of the cells (Figure 2). The 
epithelium rests on a basement membrane and gives externally the tubules a smooth contour.  
Beneath the basement membrane is a thin layer of dense connective tissue known as lamina 
propria.  It contains many capillaries and smooth muscle fibers.  Both types of cells, tall and low 
are secretary in function.  Bleb-like secretion droplets can be seen adhering to the free surface of 
the non-ciliated cells.  As the tubules approach the epididymis, the distal ends of the efferent 
ductules are lined with mainly tall (columnar) cells, so that the lumens have an even contour with 
very few folds.   
 
 
 
Figure 2: Transverse section of Vasa Efferentes of adult Man. 
Source: Author 
3. Epididymis  
Male Reproductive System: Ducts and Accessory Sex Glands 
 
              Institute of Life Long Learning, University of Delhi  
 
4 
The mammalian epididymis (plural epididymides) is an elongated duct derived 
embryologically from the Wolffian duct. It is a tightly coiled, thread like tube with a total 
length of about 20 meters in man, and about 6 meters in rodents.  Its lumen opens cranially 
into the testis via the efferent ducts, and caudally into the lumen of the vas deferens. The 
duct has an even contour, as the entire epithelial cells end nearly at the same level. 
The epididymis is divided into the head or the caput epididymides, body or the corpus 
epididymides and tail or cauda epididymides (Figure 3).  Each of these three regions 
possesses sub-segments, which exhibit their own distinct cell types and functional 
peculiarities.  Based on the serial histology, many scientists divided the epididymis of rat 
into six zones while those of rabbit and human epididymis into eight regions each.  Further, 
epididymis has also been divided into initial, middle (intermediate) and terminal 
segments on the basis of its functional characteristics (Figure 3).  However, the size of 
these regions from where head, body or tail and also initial, middle or terminal segments of 
the epididymis begin and end varies from species to species. 
 
 
 
Figure 3: Anatomical divisions of the epididymis. 
Source: Author 
 
 
Structural details of the epididymis show convolutions of the tubule as varied size of 
individual sections are surrounded by the connective tissue (Figures 4 and 5). Tubules are 
lined with pseudostatified columnar epithelial cells with nonmotile stereocilia on their