122 Ve/ermary Obstetrics 



Somewhat near the surface, toward the epididymis, the connect- 

 ive tissue stroma becomes very prominent in the central portion 

 of the gland to constitute the corpus Highmori. 



The glandular tissue proper consists of numerous convoluted 

 tubules, tubiili semcni/eri, which, commencing in a cul de sac,, 

 terminate in a central system of canals. These, passing through 

 the corpus Highmori empty into the vasa elferentia, which fin- 

 ally converge to form the vas deferens. 



The tubules consist of a ba.sement membrane lined with an 

 epithelium of three or four layers of cells. The deeper ones are 

 polygonal in form while, more superficially, occur the spermatic 

 cells or spermatoblasts, from which, finally, the spermatozoa are 

 elaborated, the nucleus constituting the head, while the tail con- 

 sists of protoplasm. 



The interlobular connective tissue stroma affords pa.s.sage for 

 the ves.sels and nerves to every portion of the gland and, within 

 it, are numerous interlobular cells, which are believed by some to 

 serve as nutritive agents for the tubidi seme^iiferi. 



The seminal canalculi are lined with ciliated epithelium, which 

 disappears in t^ie seminal duct, to be succeeded by a single layer 

 of epithelial cells. 



The vesiculse seminales of the stallion consist of two commo- 

 dious pouches situated above the urinary bladder and the vasa 

 efferentia, communicating with the latter. They have been 

 thought by some to act as .seminal reservoirs. Hence their 

 name. However, it is generally considered that such is not the 

 case and that their sole function is the elaboration of a mucoid 

 or watery secretion, which becomes mixed with the .semen while 

 being ejaculated. Fleming (Chauveau's Anatomy) as.serts that 

 they serve as .seminal rcsevoirs, but investigators, apparently, uni- 

 formly fail to find spermatozoa in them. 



The .seminal vesicles of the bull have the character of ordinary 

 acinous glands. Zschokke has been unable to find spermatozoa 

 in them. They have only a very small cavity. 



In the boar, the vcsiculse seminales are very large acinous 

 glands, .secreting a watery fluid and not containing spermatozoa. 

 The vesiculse seminales are absent in the dog and cat. 



The prostate glands of the horse are situated above the ure- 

 thra, at the neck of the bladder. They are acinous in type, and 

 secrete a transparent viscid fluid, which becomes mixed with 



