Accessory Sex Glands and Semen

What are the accessory sex glands?

seminal vesicle, prostate, cowper’s glands (bulbourethral)

Seminal vesicle

• shape, length?

• what does it secrete? function? % of semen

  • what are components within?

pouch-like, 2 inches long

secretes alkaline fluid, helps neutralize the acidic environment of the female tract

makes up (60)-70% of sperm

• fructose and prostaglandins

(SV) function, what is it for?

fructose:

prostaglandins:

food for the mitochondria

sugar, used for the production of ATP 

prostaglandins, contribute to sperm motility and viability 

Prostate

• what does it secrete? % of semen

• where do its secretions go?

secretes milky fluid (20%) - 30% of semen

enter the prostatic urethra via the prostatic ducts

Prostate cancer

• leads what?

• what tests are used?

• how many recover? how?

leading cause of death from cancer in men in the U.S. 

digital exam and PSA test 

90% if caught early 

Prostate cancer

PSA: full name, and what is it?

prostate specific antigen

blood test, measures the level of protein PSA

Prostate

BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia

• what is it?

• what drug is used to alleviate symptoms?

all men get when they’re older, when the prostate gland enlarges and squeezes the prostatic urethra, making it difficult to urinate 

Flomax 

Cowper’s gland

• another name?

• size? where is it located?

bulbourethral glands 

pea size, on either side of membranous urethra and their ducts open into the spongy urethra 

Cowper’s glands

• what does it secrete? what stimulates the release?

  • also know as?

• function 

secretes clear + slippery fluid during sexual arousal 

• precum

neutralizes urine in the male urethra to protect sperm

Semen is made up of?

a mixture of sperm and seminal fluid 

Semen

• where? and % of secretions

seminiferous tubules (sperm): 1% 

seminal vesicle (seminal fluid): 70%

prostate glands (seminal fluid): 30%

bulbourethral glands (precum)

Volume of typical ejaculation?

• what is the sperm count? /mL

• sperm count total?

2.5- 5 mL = 0.5 -1tsp 

• sperm count is 50-150 million/ mL

• 300-400 million 

What sperm count makes a male be considered sterile?

anything 20 million sperm/mL 

How long does sperm last in the female tract?

2-5 days