THE URETHRAL GLANDS OF MALE-MICE IN RELATION TO DEPLETION OF SECRETORY GRANULES UPON MATING

The present study describes the effects of mating on urethral gland ac inar cells in male mice. Histological and morphometric analysis demons trated that there was a depletion of secretory granules in the urethra l glands during mating. However, no change occurred in the rough endop lasmic reticulum containing tubular elements. The results indicate tha t the urethral glands are functional during mating. The timing of thei r granule depletion suggests that urethral gland secretions may contri bute to the formation of semen or the copulation plug.