Chapter: Medical Physiology: Reproductive and Hormonal Functions of the Male (and Function of the Pineal Gland)

Function of the Seminal Vesicles

Each seminal vesicle is a tortuous, loculated tube lined with a secretory epithelium that secretes a mucoid material containing an abundance of fructose, citric acid, and other nutrient substances, as well as large quantities of prostaglandins and fibrinogen.

Function of the Seminal Vesicles

Each seminal vesicle is a tortuous, loculated tube lined with a secretory epithelium that secretes a mucoid material containing an abundance of fructose, citric acid, and other nutrient substances, as well as large quantities of prostaglandins and fibrinogen.

During the process of emission and ejaculation, each seminal vesicle empties its contents into the ejacula-tory duct shortly after the vas deferens empties the sperm. This adds greatly to the bulk of the ejaculated semen, and the fructose and other substances in the seminal fluid are of considerable nutrient value for the ejaculated sperm until one of the sperm fertilizes the ovum.

Prostaglandins are believed to aid fertilization in two ways: (1) by reacting with the female cervical mucus to make it more receptive to sperm movement and (2) by possibly causing backward, reverse peri-staltic contractions in the uterus and fallopian tubes to move the ejaculated sperm toward the ovaries (a few sperm reach the upper ends of the fallopian tubes within 5 minutes).

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Medical Physiology: Reproductive and Hormonal Functions of the Male (and Function of the Pineal Gland) : Function of the Seminal Vesicles |