Structural and ultrastructural features of boar bulbourethral glands

Tissue Cell. 2006 Feb;38(1):7-18. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2005.09.004. Epub 2005 Nov 14.

Abstract

The morphological features of boar bulbourethral glands were examined by light and transmission microscopy. Bulbourethral glands are compound tubuloalveolar glands surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue and arranged in multiple lobules formed by endpieces and excretory ducts. Endpieces and excretory ducts are both lined by a single epithelium of mucous cells with a basal nucleus. Epithelial cells accumulate secretory granules containing neutral and carboxylated acid mucosubstances and a small amount of sulphated acid mucosubstances. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells varies according to the secretory cycle. In initial stages, the cells show a columnar shape and secretory granules unevenly distributed in the cytoplasm. As the synthesis of mucosubstances progresses, the amount of the secretory granules increases and the cellular shape becomes pyramidal. Secretory granules can contain inclusions and present differences among them according to their different phases of formation. In pyramidal cells, secretory products are released into the lumen by a merocrine mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bulbourethral Glands / anatomy & histology*
  • Bulbourethral Glands / cytology
  • Bulbourethral Glands / ultrastructure*
  • Connective Tissue / anatomy & histology
  • Connective Tissue / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Secretory Vesicles / chemistry
  • Secretory Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Swine / anatomy & histology*