The seminal vesicle Is any of the two elongated sac-shaped glands that secrete fluid in the ejaculatory ducts. These contribute approximately 60% of the man's fluids during ejaculation.
In some mammals, the capacity of the seminal vesicles is much greater, the boar, for example, can emit up to 50 times more seminal fluid.
The secretion of the seminal vesicles constitutes the major part of the seminal fluid (semen). It is a thick fluid containing fructose sugar, protein, citric acid, inorganic phosphorus, potassium and prostaglandins.
Once this liquid is attached to the spermatozoa in the ejaculatory duct, fructose acts as the main source of energy to expel sperm out of the body.
Prostaglandins are believed to aid in fertilization, making the lining of the cervix more receptive to sperm, as well as assisting the movement of sperm into the ovary with peristaltic contractions of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
In mature men, the seminal vesicles are elongate bodies 5 to 7 cm in length and approximately 2 to 3 cm wide. In each gallbladder there is a tubule 15 cm long that is surrounded by connective tissue (blood and lymphatic vessels, nerve fibers and supporting tissue).
The tubule itself is composed of three layers: the inner lining, a damp and moist mucous membrane, a muscular layer of longitudinal and circular tissue, and a fibrous outer covering of elastic tissue.
The mucous membrane secretes the fluids supplied by the seminal vesicles, folds tightly while the tube is empty and loosens without injury when its secretions cause the tubule to fill.
During ejaculation, muscle tissue and elastic fibers contract to empty the contents of the vesicle into the ejaculatory ducts, shortly after the vas deferens have emptied the sperm into those.
The size and activity of the seminal vesicles are controlled by hormones. The production of androgens, the main hormone that influences the growth and activity of seminal vesicles, begins at puberty and begins to decline at age 30. If there is absence of this hormone, the seminal vesicles degenerate (atrophy).
Anatomy and physiology of a normal seminal vesicle
- The seminal vesicles are tight and coiled. They are tubular structures located above the prostate and behind the urinary bladder.
- The seminal vesicles are connected with the vas deferens before they flow into the intraprostatic urethra.
- The pseudostratified columnar epithelium in the seminal vesicles is surrounded by thick fibromuscular tissue.
- The epithelium of the vesicle is composed of columnar and basal epithelial cells.
- Typically, the columnar epithelium contains large amounts of lipofuscin pigment.
- An unusual characteristic of normal epithelial cells is cell atypia. However, atypical cells are often found in the seminal vesicular epithelium, where epithelial cells are usually present with large atypical nuclei.
Histology
- Under the microscope we can see that the seminal vesicles have mucosa, consisting of a lining of intercalated columnar cells and lamina propria and a thick muscular wall.
- The lumen of the glands is highly irregular and stores the secretions of vesicle glands.
- The epithelium is pseudostratified columnar, similar to other tissues of the male reproductive system.
- The height of these columnar cells, and therefore their activity, depends on testosterone levels in the blood.
- The lamina propria that contains small underlying blood vessels and lymphatic, which together with the epithelium is called mucosa, and is arranged in convoluted folds, increasing the total surface.
- A muscular layer may also be found, consisting of an inner circular and outer layer of smooth muscle.
- Spermatozoa may occasionally be found within the lumen of the glands, although the vesicles are blinded in nature. This is believed to be due to a slight reflux due to muscle contractions of the urethra during ejaculation.
Clinical analysis and diseases
Physical examination of the seminal vesicles is difficult. Laboratory testing of seminal vesicular fluid requires a semen sample for semen culture or semen analysis. Fructose levels provide a measure of seminal vesicle function and, if absent, bilateral agenesis or obstruction is suspected.
Seminal vesicle disorders include seminal vesiculitis, acquired cysts, abscesses, congenital anomalies (such as agenesis, hypoplasia and cysts), amyloidosis, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, hydatid cysts, stones and tumors.
Primary adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicles, although rare, is the most common neoplasm of seminal vesicles, even the rarest of which include sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, neuroendocrine carcinoma, paraganglioma, epithelial stromal tumors, and lymphoma.
Seminal vesiculitis
Seminal vesiculitis is an inflammation and often an infection of one or both vesicular glands, most often secondary to prostatitis, although it may occur independently.
Seminal vesiculitis is caused mainly by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus and E. coli. This condition often occurs in men between 20 and 40 years of age, with the typical symmetrical blood in the semen.
Types of seminal vesiculitis
There are two types of seminal vesiculitis: acute and seminal vesiculitis chronic. Seminal vesiculitis is frequently produced with prostatitis. The main symptom is hematospermia, that is, the sperm is mixed with blood red or brown.
Causes of seminal vesiculitis
The cause of vesiculitis seems to vary greatly for bacterial, viral and some as yet unidentified causes.
Long-term antimicrobial treatment does not guarantee cure unless a sample of seminal vesicular fluid is first collected and a bacterial infection is in fact determined to be present.
Symptoms of seminal vesiculitis
Symptoms of seminal vesiculitis include:
- In acute seminal vesiculitis, a symptom of pain is reflected in the lower abdomen, perineal area and groin.
- In chronic seminal vesiculitis, the pain symptom is present just above the upper pubic region and in the perineal area. The pain worsens after ejaculation.
- The heaviness and pain in the rectal region that is aggravated by urination and defecation is also another sign and symptom of seminal vesiculitis.
- Problems with urination such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and burning when urinating.
- Signs of difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Higher frequency of emission that can be purulent and bloody.
- Blood in semen (hematospermia) and urine (hematuria).
- Widespread weakness.
- Symptoms of fever and chills in case of acute seminal vesiculitis.
- Painful ejaculation can be a sign of seminal vesiculitis.
- Decreased sexual desire is one of the signs of vesiculitis.
- Spermatorrhea.
- Premature ejaculation.
Diagnosis of seminal vesiculitis
Seminal vesiculitis is diagnosed with semen analysis and digital rectal examination (DRE). Sometimes a blood test is done.
This semen analysis is done to check for large numbers of white blood cells and red blood cells. It is also necessary to check for an infection.
Treatment of seminal vesiculitis
The treatment of seminal vesiculitis is usually the same as treatment for prostatitis. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed to treat the disease.
The patient should rest to maintain bowel movements without any obstruction. Doctors may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to treat seminal vesiculitis.
The patient should practice sexual abstinence, avoiding spicy foods and alcoholic beverages.
It is also important to eat a healthy and balanced diet, and try to stay relaxed.
On the other hand, a new surgical method is being studied in which the ejaculatory duct is dilated and the seminal vesicle is purged with a scope. This procedure is called the endoscopic technique of the transurethral seminal tract.
Premature ejaculation
Premature ejaculation is an embarrassing problem for men. This disease can bring serious harm to patients, such as erectile dysfunction , Mental pressure and even infertility.
Research indicates that seminal vesiculitis can cause premature ejaculation. Once men have this problem, they may experience blood congestion in the prostate gland.
When having sex, many organs need to take part in the prostate gland, vesicular glands, heart and vessels and so on.
When there is blood congestion in the vesicular glands, the sensitivity of the penis can be enlarged, which makes them difficult to endure for a long time. This is how seminal vesiculitis produces premature ejaculation.
Once you have noticed signs of this disease you should seek the advice of a doctor. There are treatments to kill pathogenic bacteria and promote blood circulation so that pain and inflammation disappear. Patients can be cured within 3 months of treatment.
References
- Hanna Tegel (2016). Seminal vesicle. The human protein atlas. Retrieved from: proteinatlas.org.
- Lee (2010-2017). Seminal Vesiculitis. Dr Lee Clinic. Retrieved from: drleetcmclinic.com.
- Pramod Kerkar (2016). Seminal Vesiculitis. EPainAssist. Retrieved from: epainassist.com.
- Judyjing (2016). Pay Attention To Seminal Vesiculitis. Free Press Release. Retrieved from: prfree.org.