Updated by: Arabinda Naik
The male accessory glands include seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands. A pair of seminal vesicles are present. The Seminal vesicles are present over the prostate, linked with the vas deferens to create the ejaculatory ducts that travel through the prostate. The male accessory glands generate fluid that nourishes the sperm. It is called seminal plasma. This fluid is rich in fructose, calcium, and certain enzymes. It constitutes the maximum volume of the semen, wherein the sperm is ejected during ejaculation.
Seminal vesicles:
One pair of sacs is present near the base of the urinary bladder. It is a muscular secular gland and 5 cm (about 1.97 in) long. It attaches to the vas deferens near the base of the urinary bladder and forms the ejaculatory duct. They produce an alkaline secretion of pH 7.4 (alkaline nature of seminal fluid helps to neutralize the acidic environment of the male urethra and female reproductive tract.). The seminal vesicles produce a viscous fluid containing
Fructose: (which is produce by the seminal vesicles is not present anywhere else in the body, therefore during forensic test for rape, its presence in female genital tract confirms sexual intercourse). Fructose which gives energy to the sperm.
Fibrinogen: (clotting protein) helps in coagulation of semen after ejaculation i.e., it makes the semen turn into a semi-solid state from liquid state.
Prostaglandins. Stimulates contractions in the female reproductive tracts and helps in the process of fertilization.
Clotting protein: Help semen coagulate after ejaculation. It constitutes the maximum volume of the semen, wherein the sperm is ejected during ejaculation. The viscous fluid made by the seminal vesicle makes up about 60% of the total volume of the semen.
Function of seminal vesicle: It secretes an alkaline fluid that helps in neutralizing the acidity of the vaginal tract thereby increasing the life span of sperms. Secretion of seminal vesicles is also a source of nutrition for the sperms.
Forensic test for rape: Semen contains fructose contributed by seminal vesicles. Fructose is not produced anywhere in the human body. Its presence in the vagina indicates sexual intercourse has occurred.
Prostate Gland:
It is a walnut-sized structure which is located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum. It consists of 20-30 lobes which open into the urethra individually. It produces a fluid called prostatic fluid which is whitish in colour which makes up 30% of total volume of the semen. It contains lipids, bicarbonate ions enzymes, and citric acid. The secretion neutralizes the acidity of the vaginal secretion during coitus and makes sperm more active to swim. The secretion of accessory sex glands, i.e., prostate gland and mucus from seminal vesicles combine with sperm to form seminal fluid or semen. The pH is alkaline, i.e., 7.3 – 7.5. When the sperms hit the pH of 6.0 to 6.5, the sperms become motile and makes the process of fertilization easy.
Bulbourethral glands or Cowper’s glands
This is also known as the Cowper’s gland. They are pea-sized structure paired glands which are located on the sides of the urethra and exactly below the prostate gland. It produces mucus, which is slippery, clear, and alkaline in nature. This fluid neutralizes the acids which might be present in the urethra due to urination before ejaculation. This fluid is also used as lubricant to penis during intercourse.
Major function of male accessory gland: Seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands are the male accessory glands whose secretion from the seminal plasma. This fluid is essential for maturation and mortality of sperms and lubrication of the penis during intercourse.