Histology and histochemistry of the accessory reproductive glands in the male hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Abstract

The accessory male reproductive glands of the hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, are a prostate and three pairs of Cowper's glands. Component units of all are branched tubular structures of varying epithelial makeup and secretory content. The prostate has the carrotlike shape and three consecutive regions commonly found in marsupials. The regions differ in their tubular histology and histochemistry: all contain secretory globules in glandular lumina. Cowper's glands A and B are histologically identical except for the absence of interstitial mast cells from gland G: gland C is characterized by narrower tubules and larger epithelial cells. Histochemical tests for protein, carbohydrate and iron indicate that glycogen is a major secretory product of the prostate (largely posterior region), iron is also secreted (mainly posterior region) and a small quantity of acid mucin is produced (mainly central region). Glycogen is a feature also of anterior prostatic glandular epithelium and of the capping cells of the urethral transitional epithelium. Cowper's gland A has considerable protein in its secretion, gland B a neutral glycoprotein and gland C a sialomucin: the latter two also exhibit cytoplasmic glycogen in their secretory cells.

Distribution of N-acetyl (4,5,6,7,8,9-14C) neuraminic acid in mice studied by whole-body autoradiography.

“…Nielsen (22) stated that although the bulbourethral gland of the rat contains sialomucin, sulfated acid mucosubstances are the main constituents and that the presence of sialomucin in the golden hamster is more doubtful. Barbour (1) reported that the wombat has three pairs of the glands, and that the secretion of gland A contains protein but little carbohydrate, that of gland B a neutral glycoprotein and that of gland C a sialomucin. Furthermore, the gland of the horse is serous (4).…”

Wombat reproduction (Marsupialia; Vombatidae): an update and future directions for the development of artificial breeding technology

“…While penile spines in other mammals (e.g. felids) are sometimes associated with vaginal or cervical stimulation resulting in induced ovulation, there is currently Owen (1919) CW _ Detailed account of the gross anatomy of the reproductive system \ Full description of the gross urogenital anatomy Pearson (1944) CW \ Description of the gross urogenital anatomy Barnett & Brazenor (1958) CW _ Presence of a rete mirabile in the spermatic cord Hughes (1965) CW _ Sperm morphology Brooks et al (1978) SHNW _ Full description of the reproductive system; structural and biochemical characteristics of accessory reproductive glands; sperm morphology Barbour (1981) SHNW _ Full description of the reproductive system; histology and histochemistry of accessory reproductive glands Gaughwin (1981) SHNW _ Structural and biochemical characteristics of the reproductive organs \ Structural characteristics of the urogenital tract Hughes & Green (1998) CW \ Placentation Moritz et al (1998) CW \ Ovarian and uterine histological changes associated with the oestrous cycle Taggart et al (1998) SHNW _ Seminal characteristics Hamilton et al (2000) SHNW _ Seasonal change in accessory glands (structure) Breed et al (2001) CW _ Sperm morphology (i.e. the structural organisation of sperm head components) MacCallum (2004) CW _ Gross anatomy and testicular histology of the reproductive tract and sperm morphology \ Examined the urogenital system (i.e.…”

“…The segments of the wombat prostate differ in their cytology, tubular histology and histochemistry, and Barbour (1981)). Prostatic bodies (i.e.…”

“…Sorbitol, fructose and glycogen are produced by all three prostate segments, whereas only the central and posterior segments produce glucose and N-acetylhexosamine (Brooks et al 1978, Tyndale-Biscoe & Renfree 1987. Iron is another major secretory product of the posterior segment, and acid mucin is also produced by the central segment (Barbour 1981). Wombat bulbourethral glands (three pairs) contain long branched, wide tubular glands surrounded by a layer of connective tissue and skeletal muscle (Brooks et al 1978).…”

“…Wombat bulbourethral glands (three pairs) contain long branched, wide tubular glands surrounded by a layer of connective tissue and skeletal muscle (Brooks et al 1978). Glands A and B are histologically identical except for the absence of interstitial mast cells from gland B; gland C is characterised by narrower tubules and larger epithelial cells (Barbour 1981). Gland A secretes primarily protein, gland B a neutral glycoprotein and gland C a sialomucin; glands B and C also contain cytoplasmic glycogen in their secretory cells (Barbour 1981).…”