Male glands

The male glands are represented by four highly secratory tissues:

• Seminal vesicle, very large in comparison to the prostate that is located slightly hidden by the seminal vesicle
• Prostate
• Bulbourethral gland, or Cowper´s gland, large in the pig compared to the human. In pig the Bulbourethral gland is also accopanied by bulbourethral muscle.
• Urethral gland, is located underneath the bulbourethral muscle and is glandular tissue of the wall of the urethra.

The seminal vesicles are paired, highly coiled, tubular structures located above the prostate and behind the urinary bladder. The seminal vesicles merge with vas deferens before debouching into the urethra. The pseudostratified columnar epithelium in seminal vesicles is surrounded by thick fibromuscular tissue. It is within the seminal vesicles a majority of the components of semen is produced. The fluid produced in the seminal vesicle glands includes fibrinogen, prostaglandins as well as fructose and citric acid. The seminal vesicle of pig includes less fibromuscular tissue compared to human.

The prostatic glands are lined by a pseudostratified columnar epithelium with secretory cells. As with other glandular organs, the secretory cells throughout the prostate are separated from the basement membrane and stroma by a layer of basal cells. The function of the prostate is to produce one third of the fluid that makes up semen. Together with sperm and fluid from seminal vesicles, the prostatic fluid contributes to the semen composition. The fluid produced is a protective and nourishing vehicle for sperm cells. Prostatic secretion consists of lipids, proteolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase, fibrinolysin and citric acids.

The bulbourethral gland is large paired tubuloalveolar gland. The bulbourethral gland produces mucus for lubrication and for clearing the urethra from urine. Along the length of urethra, the tubular mucous urethral gland is found, covered by the bulbourethral (striated) muscle.