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Avian Male Reproductive Tract - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 10:21, 22 July 2008
, 10:21, 22 July 2008→Testes
* '''Semniferous tubules''' produce '''sperm''' from the epithelium.
* Convoluted semniferous tubules comprised of spermatogonia (germ cells) and Sertoli cells make up the bulk of the testes. These are responsible for spermatogenesis.
* Interstitial '''Leydig cells''' lie between semniferous tubules.
* Interstitial Leydig cells produce male androgens.
* Mature spermatozoa exit into the rete testes, which connects to the cranial epididymis.
** Rete testes not present in all birds.
** Epididymis considered vestigial in birds.
*** Sperm maturation occurs in the ductus deferens.
* Epididymis lies along the dorsomedial aspect of the testes.
* Spermatazoa exit the epididymis and enter the ductus deferens.
* Tunical Albiguinea thinner than in mammals.
* Tunical Albiguinea thinner than in mammals.
* '''No Pampiniform plexus'''.
* '''No Pampiniform plexus'''.
* '''Epididymis is small and can be considered absent'''. '''Sperm maturation occurs in the Vas Deferens'''.
* '''Epididymis is small and can be considered absent'''. '''.
* Vas Deferens closely associated with the Ureter in the dorsomedial midline coelom, distinguished by its zig-zag appearance.
* Vas Deferens closely associated with the Ureter in the dorsomedial midline coelom, distinguished by its zig-zag appearance.
* Vas Deferens enters dorsal wall of the cloacal urodeum.
* Vas Deferens enters dorsal wall of the cloacal urodeum.