ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF THE COAGULATING GLAND EPITHELIUM OF THE RAT (Rattus norvegicus) AFTER VASECTOMY

The coagulating gland in the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus): morphological and immunohistochemical features

“…The observed presence of microvilli on the apical surfaces of the secretory cells was also reported in the mice [9], rat [20] and African giant rat [21]. While it is sparse and small in these rodents, it is large and abundant in the greater cane rat.…”

“…The presence of basal cells has been reported in the coagulating glands of rodents [9,20,21] but its functional significance is still not clear. In the mouse, where the coagulating gland is considered as the anterior prostate lobe, the basal cells are said to play essential role in the maintenance of normal differentiation of the secretory cells and the integrity of the prostatic ducts [18].…”

“…The coagulating gland is an accessory sex gland found in rodents and monkeys [20,30]. In rodents, the protein and fructose-rich secretions of this gland play a major role in semen coagulation and sperm motility thereby enhancing fertilisation efficacy in these species [4,10].…”