Once produced, sperm travel through a network of ducts known as the excretory system, which allows for their storage and eventual release during ejaculation. During this journey, sperm continue their maturation process, gaining the ability to fertilize an egg.
What Are the Male Accessory Glands and Their Role?
The accessory glands include:
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate gland
- Cowper’s (bulbourethral) glands
These glands produce most of the fluid in semen, providing lubrication and a transport medium for sperm in the female reproductive tract. They also have specific functional roles:
- Seminal vesicles: Contribute to semen coagulation, which may help retain sperm inside the female reproductive tract. They also produce fructose, an essential energy source for sperm.
- Prostate gland: Helps liquefy semen, facilitating the interaction between sperm and the egg.
- Cowper’s glands: Secrete a lubricating fluid that helps neutralize acidity in the urethra before ejaculation.
Additionally, these glands produce antioxidants, which protect sperm from damage and help maintain their viability.
