The role of the seminal vesicles and coagulating glands in fertilization in the rat

Abstract

To investigate the role of the seminal vesicles (SV) and coagulating glands (CG) in fertilization in the rat, partial resections of the SV (25%--group B), 50%--group C, and 75%--group D) or bilateral resection of the SV alone (100%--group E), or together with the CG (group F) were undertaken. In other groups, bilateral resection of the CG only (group G), or bilateral resection of the CG with ipsilateral SV resection (group H) were performed. A group of sham-operated rats served as controls (group A). There were no significant differences among groups A, B, C and D in the number of fertile rats post-operatively but significant differences were evident in groups E, F, G, H when compared with the control group (P less than 0.01 for all groups). Only the fertile rats were able to form copulatory plugs (CP) post-operatively. Bilateral ligation of the SV ducts was performed in ten fertile rats. Post-operatively, the proportion of fertile rats was decreased significantly (P less than 0.01). Removal of the ligatures resulted in a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in fertility. It was also demonstrated that the addition of rat seminal vesicular secretions (SVS) to epididymal sperm suspensions resulted in a significant decrease (P less than 0.001) in sperm motility. These results suggest that the SV and CG are necessary for fertility in rats, and that one role of SVS is the formation of a CP and not the maintenance of sperm motility.

Terazosin-induced alterations in catalase expression and lipid peroxidation in the rat seminal vesicles

“…The contribution of SVF on fertilisation in rodents is well recognised (Peitz, 1988;Metafora et al, 1989;Sofikitis et al, 1990Sofikitis et al, , 1992, and the effect of a1-AR antagonists on fertility has been attributed, at least in part, to their effect on the contractility of the seminal vesicles. Phenoxybenzamine (Ratnasooriya & Wadsworth, 1987), prazosin (Ratnasooriya & Wadsworth, 1990), terazosin (Ratnasooriya et al, 1992) and tamsulosin (Ratnasooriya & Wadsworth, 1994) impair fertility in rats, while reduced fertility rate has been shown in a1A-AR and in a1A/B/D-AR triple 'knockout' mice (Sanbe et al, 2007).…”

“…In rodents, one of the functional properties of seminal vesicle secretion is to contribute to the clot formation of ejaculated semen and to influence the metabolism, mobility and surface properties of spermatozoa, to induce capacitation and suppress the immunocompetence of the female genital tract (Peitz, 1988;Metafora et al, 1989;Sofikitis et al, 1990Sofikitis et al, , 1992. Furthermore, the seminal vesicles provide yet another line of defence against oxidative stress; they have been shown to secrete superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and glutathione into the seminal fluid (Zubkova & Robaire, 2004), offering spermatozoa additional antioxidative support in the highly oxidising environment of the female reproductive tract (Chen et al, 2002).…”

Impact of antioxidants on seminal vesicles function and fertilizing potential in diabetic rats

“…Five days is the length of one complete estrous cycle in the rat. 10 The female rats were of proven fertility, having regular cycles as determined by the vaginal smears. Afterward, female rats were separated and placed in individual cages.…”

Location, Immunohistochemical Features, and Spinal Connections of Autonomic Neurons Innervating the Rat Seminal Vesicles1

“…Their secretory products contribute to sperm viability [1,2], induce muscle contractions of the female genital tract, and have antibacterial activity [3]. The importance of these glands is highlighted by a marked decrease in fertility in various species, including the rat, after their ablation [4,5]. Regulation of fluid constituents is thought to be mainly under androgenic control, while fluid expulsion occurs by sympathetic nerve-induced contraction of the smooth muscle layers that surround the secretory epithelia.…”