Question

Bulbourethral gland is

• A. Compound tubular type in boar
• B. Compound tubular type in bull
• C. Absent in cat
• D. Compound tubular type in stallion

Hint:

Remember: The dog is the only domestic species that completely lacks bulbourethral glands.
The stallion has the unique distinction of having compound tubular bulbourethral glands, whereas others have a tubuloalveolar structure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands are paired male accessory sex glands located dorsolateral to the pelvic urethra near the ischial arch.
Their histological structure varies from compound tubular to compound tubuloalveolar depending on the species.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us examine the options based on standard veterinary histology:
1. In the boar, the bulbourethral glands are extremely large and are categorized as compound tubuloalveolar glands that produce a thick mucinous gel fraction of the ejaculate.
2. In the bull, they are also compound tubuloalveolar glands.
3. In the cat, the bulbourethral glands are present, although they are small and located at the caudal end of the pelvic urethra. Thus, saying they are absent in the cat is incorrect (they are absent only in the dog).
4. In the stallion (horse), the bulbourethral glands are specifically classified as compound tubular glands.
They consist of multiple branching tubules lined by simple columnar secretory cells that empty into a common collecting duct. This is a key distinguishing histological feature of the equine bulbourethral gland compared to other domestic species.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the statement "Compound tubular type in stallion" is correct, which corresponds to option (D).