Male Accessory Gland: Overview, Structure, Function

What Are The Male Accessory Glands?

The male accessory glands form a special type of gland within the male reproductive system and are responsible for the production of seminal fluid components to support and enhance the viability and mobility of sperm. These include seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands, each contributing different substances to semen.

The primary role of the male accessory glands is to feed the sperm for motility and survival from acid death in the female reproductive tract, thus enhancing their possibility of successful fertilization.

Overview Of The Male Reproductive System

The main parts of the male reproductive system are:

• Testes: These produce Sperm and Testosterone.

• Epididymis: It stores and matures the sperm.

• Vas Deferens: It transports sperm from the epididymis.

• Urethra: Sperm leaves the body at ejaculation.

Role of Accessory Glands

• Contribution to seminal fluid.

• Increasing sperm viability and mobility.

Study Of Male Accessory Glands In Detail

The detailed structure is explained below:

Seminal Vesicles

• Position and anatomy: It is a paired gland located behind the bladder and above the prostate.

• Function: Secrets fructose to be used by the sperm for energy and prostaglandins to aid the motility of the sperm and dilatation of the cervix.

Prostate Gland

• Position and anatomy: It is a walnut-sized gland present beneath the bladder.

• Function: Produces alkaline fluid that acts to neutralize vaginal acidity and enzymes that enhance sperm motility.

• Role in ejaculation: Contracts to expel semen during ejaculation.

Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper's Glands)

• Location and structure: Pea-sized glands located below the prostate, near the urethra

• Function: Produces lubricating mucus that serves to lubricate during ejaculation and neutralise acidic residues from the urethra.

Chemical Composition Of Seminal Fluid

The chemical composition of the gland is described below:

Constituents of Each Gland

• Seminal vesicles: Fructose, prostaglandins.

• Prostate gland: Citric acid, proteolytic enzymes.

• Bulbourethral glands: Mucous, pre-ejaculate.

Function of Each Component

• Fructose: Sperm energy source.

• Prostaglandins: Sperm motility enhancers.

• Citric acid and enzymes: Sperm protector and mobilizers.

• Mucous: Sperm lubricant and protector.

Hormonal Control

Hormonal control plays an important role in the activity of male accessory glands.

Role of Hormones

• Testosterone: Development and maintenance of male reproduction tissues.

• Other androgens: Accessory glands and sperm production.

Feedback Mechanisms

• Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis: Regulation in the amount of hormone secretion to keep the reproductive system in perfect balance.

Disorders And Diseases Of Accessory Gland

The disorders connected with the accessory glands of the male reproductive system greatly affect fertility.

Common Disorders

• Prostatitis: It is a condition where the prostate gland gets inflamed.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia: It is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland.

• Prostate cancer: Abnormal malignant growth in the prostate gland.

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