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Male Reproductive Tract - Horse Anatomy (view source)
Revision as of 11:24, 26 November 2012
, 11:24, 26 November 2012→Epididymis
===Epididymis===
===Epididymis===
The epipdidymis is made up of coils of convoluted tubules held together by connective tissue. It is firmly attached to the testes. The epididymis is divided into three parts:
The Epididymis provides the environment for final maturation of spermatozoa. It is here that they aquire motility and fertility. The Epididymal duct is very long, between 30-60 meters. It is divided functionally into 3 regions; the Caput (head), Corpus (body) and Cauda (tail). The caput of the epididymis is connected to the efferent ducts of the testes. The Cauda connects to the Ductus Deferens of the spermatic cord.
====Caput (Head)====
Attached to the testicular capsule, receives the '''efferent ducts'''. After efferent ducts enter the head of the epididymis, they join to become the '''duct of the epididymis'''. Fluid secreted in the rete tubules of the testes is reabsorbed here and epididymal fluid is secreted. This fluid secretion is important in order to facilitate movement of the sperm through the epididymis.
====Corpus (Body)====
Formed by the convuluted ducts. Nuclear chromatin condenses via the addition of di-sulphide bridges. This condensation stabilises the nuclear material and can be observed histologically as darker staining material. Stabilising surface proteins are added to the sperm membranes. Sperm aquire fertility by the addition of membrane receptors to female tract ligands. This enables them to bind to the '''zona pellucida''' and oocyte membranes. Sperm cells are dehydrated and sperm acquire forward motility.
====Cauda (tail)====
Continuation of the '''duct of the epididymis''', which continues as the '''ductus deferens'''. It is attached to the caudal pole of the testis by the '''proper ligament of the testis''' and to the vaginal process by the '''ligament of the tail of the epidymis'''. Sperm metabolic activity is depressed in order to prolong life as they are stored here until ejaculation.
====Histology====
The Epididymal duct is surrounded by smooth muscle fibers. These fibers contract rhythmically facilitating sperm movement through the duct.
=====Caput=====
*Columna epithelium with basal nuclei.
*Small steriocillia present, these have an absorbtive function
=====Corpus=====
*Low columna epithelium with very prominant stereocillia.
*Small groups of sperm can be observed within the lumen of the duct.
=====Cauda=====
*Cuboidal/ Low columna epithelium. However, unlike the caput and corpus regions of the epididymis the cauda epithelium has no stereocillia.
*Large numbers of sperm observable here as this is the site of sperm storage within the testes.
==Penis==
==Penis==
==Accessory Sex Glands==
==Accessory Sex Glands==