Angioarchitecture of the bovine tunica albuginea vascular complex – A corrosive and histological study

Abstract

Histological and corrosive studies of 75 bovine testes were focused on the vascular complex of the tunica albuginea. Thanks to used MultiScanBase v.14.02 software arterial and venous vessels and also vascular anastomoses were analyzed preciously. The studies revealed the superficial layer containing vessels of smaller diameter and reduced wall structure and the deeper layer with wider, winding vessels and complete wall structure. The branches of the testicular artery and intra-tunical veins formed a vascular complex of the tunica albuginea. The intra-tunical veins were divided into two types. Type I veins ran parallel, drained intra-parenchymal veins and formed the origin of pampiniform plexus. Type II veins drained into type I intra-tunical veins. Indirect anastomoses among intra-tunical veins and arteries and venovenous connections were observed. The results of the study could contribute fuller description of the regulatory mechanism for testicular blood supply and optimization of the testicular biopsy to minimize bleeding risk.