Morphological Characteristics of Prostate in Mammals

Abstract

The prostate gland is present in all male mammals and its ejaculate secretion plays a direct role in female reproductive success. Despite the importance of their function, morphology and chemical nature of their secretion in non-human mammals is not described in detail in scientific literature. To better define the morphological description of this gland, quantitative methods such as stereology have allowed identification for instance, of the number and percentage of glandular cells. These analyses however, have only been described in some animals. Therefore, the aim of this review was to discuss what is known about the anatomical, histological, histochemical and stereological characteristics of mammalian prostate to provide information that could be useful in the field of production and yields of breeding animals for consumption, and to improve reproductive management in laboratory animals used as models in research.

The prostate of the bat Artibeus lituratus: Seasonal variations, abiotic regulation, and hormonal control

“…It contributes to the male reproductive process, producing secretions that are considered essential for maintaining reproductive function by providing the ideal conditions for the survival of sperm, sperm viability, survival, and motility (Rochel et al, 2007;Taboga et al, 2009). Despite this important function, studies indicate a wide variation in the occurrence, morphology, and physiology of this gland in mammals (Ittmann, 2018;Oliveira et al, 2016;Su arez-Santana et al, 2020;V asquez, 2014), especially in bats (Beguelini et al, 2016;Christante et al, 2015;Crichton & Krutzsch, 2000;Martins et al, 2015;Negrin et al, 2014;Puga et al, 2013). Pioneer studies carried out on seven bat species of the Old World documented that some species had solid prostatic glands surrounding the urethra, and others had only a pair of bulbourethral glands, while others had both glandular types (Mokkapati & Dominic, 1976).…”