Histo-anatomical studies on the accessory reproductive glands of the Anatolian souslik (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) (Mammalia: Sciuridae)

Abstract

In this study, the histo-anatomy of the accessory reproductive glands of the Anatolian souslik (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) is investigated, using 102 males of the vouchers which were captured from central Anatolia and eastern Mediterranean regions. Averages of measurements taken from each part of the accessory reproductive glands were as follows: length of vesicular gland [right: 3.96 (+/-0.48) mm; left: 3.70 (+/-0.55) mm]; prostate gland [length: 2.55 (+/-0.38) mm; width: 2.63 (+/-0.45) mm]; length of bulbourethral gland [right: 2.32 (+/-0.33) mm; left: 2.37 (+/-0.39) mm], and the length of the pars pelvina of the urethra was 12.31 (+/-0.76) mm. Histological sections showed that vesicular gland was composed of typically branched tubulo-alveolar glands. As the fibrous connective tissue that was found among alveoles in the prostate was dense and relatively common, only few tubulo-alveolar glands occurred. The bulbourethral gland (Cowper's gland) was a tubulo-alveolar gland with a large and serrated lumen and septa between the alveoles consisted of dense fibro-muscular fibres.