Journal article
Gross and microanatomy of the male reproductive duct system of the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus
Reproduction, Fertility and Development, Vol.33(9), pp.540-554
2021
PMID: 33743842
Abstract
Information on the morphology and histology of the male reproductive system of the Crocodylia species is necessary to determine the role of these tissues in the production of functional spermatozoa. Accordingly, in this study we examined the gross morphology and microanatomy of the testis and the male excurrent duct system through which spermatozoa pass before ejaculation. The data demonstrate that the reproductive system in male saltwater crocodiles comprises paired testes, which convey spermatozoa distally via the rete testis into an excurrent duct system comprising ductuli efferentes, ductuli epididymides, ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens. The epithelium delineating the male tract was dominated by non-ciliated and ciliated cells structured into a simple columnar lining of the ductuli efferentes and ductuli epididymides, through to the high pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens. The morphology and histochemical staining of these ducts suggest their involvement in seminal fluid production and/or its modification, which likely contributes to the nourishment, protection and/or storage of crocodile spermatozoa. As a reflection of their common Archosaurs ancestry, the overall structural characteristics we describe for the crocodile male excurrent duct system share closer similarities to those of the Aves than other clades within the Reptilia class or Mammalia.
Details
- Title
- Gross and microanatomy of the male reproductive duct system of the saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus
- Authors
- Brett Nixon (Corresponding Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaAmanda L Anderson (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaElizabeth G. Bromfield (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaJacinta Martin (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaTessa Lord (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaShenae L. Cafe (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaShaun D Roman (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaDavid A Skerrett-Byrne (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaAndrew Eamens (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaGeoffry N De Iuliis (Author) - University of Newcastle AustraliaStephen Douglas Johnston (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Reproduction, Fertility and Development, Vol.33(9), pp.540-554
- Publisher
- C S I R O Publishing
- DOI
- 10.1071/RD20303
- ISSN
- 1448-5990
- PMID
- 33743842
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Biomedicine
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99656593802621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Developmental Biology
- Reproductive Biology
- Zoology
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Source: InCites