THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACTS

 

  REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE MALE DOG

The Reproductive Tract of the Bitch

  TESTICLES
  • These masses of seminiferous tubules are responsible for the production of sperm cells and the male sex hormone testosterone. Cells lining the seminiferous tubules produce sperm, while cells found between the seminiferous tubules produce testosterone.

  EPIDIDYMIS
  • These ductules are the sites of sperm maturation.
  VAS DEFERENS
  • This is the ejaculatory sperm duct that is also called ductus deferens.

  PROSTATE
  • This accessory sex gland is responsible for the production of the fluid portion of the semen.  (More here)

  URETHRA
  • This hollow tube originates at the neck of the bladder and runs through the penis to transport urine. During mating, it transports semen.

  PENIS
  • The dog's penis contains two rather unique characteristics:

    - Os Penis. The objective of this small bone within the free extremity of the penis (glans penis) is to direct the male's non-erect penis into the bitch's vulva and vagina during the early stages of mating.

    - Bulbus Glandis. This swelling of the penis is located toward the rear end of the os penis. As soon as the male dog inserts his penis into the bitch's vagina and begins to thrust, the bulbus glandis enlarges to a firm spherical shape, resulting in the so-called "coital tie." This tie prevents the male dog and the bitch from separating immediately after ejaculation and may last from 5 to 60 minutes.

  PREPUCE
  • This foreskin or outer covering is where the external opening of the penis usually lies.
  SCROTUM
  • This sac of skin is where the testicles are suspended outside of the peritoneal cavity.

  MALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT DISORDERS
Discharge from
the sheath 
(balanoposthitis)

A male dog normally produces a cream-yellow coloured lubricant in the sheath (smegma). Injury or infection to the sheath or penis can cause increased redness, excessive drip that may be foul-smelling, and licking. To treat, the sheath is flushed with warm saline or dilute antiseptic — this reduces the quantity of discharge. If the problem is due to bacterial infection, the dog is treated with antibiotics.

Penis stuck out 
of sheath 
(paraphimosis)
During an erection, the bulbourethral gland on a dog's penis can swell so much it is too wide to retract into the sheath. If the erection is prolonged, the penis becomes dry and cannot be withdrawn. To treat this condition, lubricate the penis with water-soluble jelly and slide it back in its sheath. If this is not possible, keep it moistened with lubricant and get veterinary help.
Undescended
testicles
There is a high incidence of cancer in undescended testicles. Abdominal testicles may be surgically removed. Partly descended testicles that have passed through the inguinal ring should be monitored for changes in texture or size, and removed if and when necessary. Because this condition is inherited, dogs with partly or completely undescended testicles should not be used for breeding.
Scrotal or 
testicular 
enlargement
The most likely cause of testicle enlargement is a testicular tumour. To treat, tumours are surgically removed and identified by a pathologist. Malignancy is very rare. Infection or injury from dog bites, frostbite, or contact with corrosive chemicals can also cause painful enlargement. A moist scrotal skin infection causes weeping skin damage that heals into a hard, carapace-like scab, giving the impression of testicle enlargement. Penetrating injuries are treated with pain killers and antibiotics.
Prostate
problems
The prostate may become infected when there is either bladder or urethra infection. All prostates increase in size with time, reaching maximum size usually between six and ten years of age. This swelling pushes upon the floor of the rectum, causing a bottleneck for stool to pass through. Initial signs of "benign hyperplasia" include difficulty passing stools. In rare instances hyperplasia can produce small to enormous prostatic cysts that can cause rectal obstruction. Prostate tumours are uncommon. A dog may be treated with injections of delmadinone, but if severe, hyperplasia is reduced by castration.

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