Prostate Gland in Male Animals

The prostate gland exhibits various forms in domestic male farm animals. It is located on the floor of the pelvis, around the neck of the urinary bladder, the cranial portion of the pelvic urethra, or caudal to the neck of the bladder.

The prostate gland contributes its secretion during ejaculation through multiple ducts that open into the pelvic urethra. These secretions are released near the colliculus seminalis.

Functions

The salient physiological functions of the prostate gland are:

• To secrete prostatic fluid.
• To secrete a larger quantity of serous fluid and a smaller quantity of mucous secretion.
• To stimulate spermatozoal motility.
• To assist in the formation of the vaginal plug in the opposite sex.
• To secrete small quantities of vital biochemicals, such as fructose and citric acid, for the additional supply of nutrition/energy to spermatozoa during their nourishment.
• To provide a passage for the onward transit of glandular secretion from the micro-secretory glands to their outlet (i.e., the pelvic urethra).
• To provide a liquid medium for the transport of sperm in the female reproductive tract.

Blood Supply

The blood supply of the prostate is provided by the internal pudendal artery.

Nerve Supply

The nerves of the prostate are supplied by the pelvic plexus.

Species Difference

Bull

Body Dimensions: Width: 2.5–4 cm, Length: 1–1.5 cm, Thickness: 1–1.5 cm.

The prostate gland in the bull has two parts:

1. Pars Disseminata
2. Body of the Prostate (Pars Propria)

The prostate gland can be felt as a small protuberance at the cranial end of the pelvic urethra during rectal examination. The pars disseminata surrounds the pelvic urethra.

Ram

The ram has no body of the prostate gland; it only has pars disseminata. This part is diffused over a large portion of the pelvic urethra.

Stallion

The prostate gland has two lateral lobes at the cranial end of the pelvic urethra, which are connected by a structure called the isthmus. It is situated over the neck of the bladder and the cranial portion of the urethra.

Boar

The prostate gland is covered by the seminal vesicle. The pars disseminata is quite extensive, similar to that in the bull and ram. The body of the prostate is located dorsal to the urinary bladder.

Dog

The prostate gland opens via two excretory ducts. It is larger in size, surrounds the neck of the bladder, and is located at the cranial border of the pubis. Its size varies with age, becoming enlarged in older dogs.