Cats Male genital Anatomy
This page gives you information about cats male genital, parts, names and anatomy.
The reproductive system of the cat is unique amongst the domestic species in many respects. The system reflects the sexual and population dynamics of wild felids, and domestic breeds of cats have not had the types of selection pressures that face other species. The male reproductive system is to transfer spermatozoa to the female and the size and structure matches this.
The testis and epididymis is relatively small and is well protected beneath the tail. The scrotum is haired, unlike most other species. The domestic felids copulate in an almost vertical rather than horizontal fashion, and the penis has backward facing barbs or spines. There are 100-120 of these. Considerable discussion about the function of these spines has occurred, with the favoured theory being that spines ‘stimulate’ the female to ovulate – as the females are ‘induced ovulators. The penile barbs are keratinous projections that are testosterone sensitive. They appear about 9 - 13 weeks of age and are fully developed at 8 months. They disappear after castration.
The os penis (penis bone) of the cat is a rarity, only occurring in some old toms. When present, it is about 3-5 mm long.
Normal cat penis has spines and prepuce. Prepuce has been opened to show penile barbs.
The testis and epididymis is arranged in a horizontal axis with the epididymis being caudal, the head cranial and the body dorsal. The normal testis is oval in profile. The parenchyma of the testis is an off white to pale pink colour normally. There are 14 to 17 efferent ductules in cats, arising from the mesonephric ductules (McEntee 1990). They fuse with the epididymal duct, that arises from the mesonephric duct. This duct is one tube that is coiled to for the head, body and tail of the epididymis.
Most male cats are castrated as juveniles to eliminate the unwanted behaviours and unpleasant odour of urine, aggressive behaviours and ‘male’ appearance of pronounced jowls. This effectively eliminates most diseases of the reproductive tract.
The internal genitalia is comprised of the bilobed prostate and bulbourethral glands, and these are small and seldom examined.
Description :
1. Ductus deferens: Sperm Duct
2. Ureter : Connect Bladder (vesica urinaria) with the kidney
3. Vesica urinaria, Bladder : Urine Sac
4. Colon, intestine
5. Urethra : urine elimination duct
6. Pubic bone
7. Prostate Gland
8. Rectum
9. Bulbo-urethral Gland
10. Preputium
11. Penis
12. Testis : produces sperm cells