Histology and histochemistry of the accessory reproductive glands in the male hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons).

Abstract

The accessory male reproductive glands of the hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus latifrons, are a prostate and three pairs of Cowper's glands. Component units of all are branched tubular structures of varying epithelial makeup and secretory content. The prostate has the carrotlike shape and three consecutive regions commonly found in marsupials. The regions differ in their tubular histology and histochemistry: all contain secretory globules in glandular lumina. Cowper's glands A and B are histologically identical except for the absence of interstitial mast cells from gland G: gland C is characterized by narrower tubules and larger epithelial cells. Histochemical tests for protein, carbohydrate and iron indicate that glycogen is a major secretory product of the prostate (largely posterior region), iron is also secreted (mainly posterior region) and a small quantity of acid mucin is produced (mainly central region). Glycogen is a feature also of anterior prostatic glandular epithelium and of the capping cells of the urethral transitional epithelium. Cowper's gland A has considerable protein in its secretion, gland B a neutral glycoprotein and gland C a sialomucin: the latter two also exhibit cytoplasmic glycogen in their secretory cells.