Question

Which of the following is a function of seminal vesicle and prostate glands?
(a) Production of plasma of semen, protection, and nourishment of sperm.
(b) Production of sperm, protection, and nourishment of sperm.
(c) Production of ovum, protection, and nourishment of sperm.
(d) None of the above.

Answer 1

Hint: The male reproductive system comprises the external and internal organs. The internal organs are called accessory glands. They include a pair of seminal vesicles, prostate, and a pair of bulbourethral glands.

Complete answer:
Seminal vesicles are paired, tubular, coiled glands that are situated behind the bladder. They secrete a viscous fluid which is the main part of the ejaculate. The seminal fluid contains fructose, citric acid, inositol, and prostaglandins.
Prostate glands is a collection of 30-40 tubuloalveolar glands that lie at the base of the bladder and surround the first part of the urethra. Prostate glands contribute an alkaline component to the semen.
The alkaline secretion helps the sperms to become active and protects the sperm from the adverse effects of the urine. It also protects the sperm from the acidic environment in the female vaginal tract. Secretions of prostate glands also provide nourishment and energy to the sperm.
The prostatic fluid gives a characteristic odor to the seminal fluid. Prostate glands secrete citrate ions, calcium, phosphate ions, and profibrinolysin.
Bulbourethral glands or Cowper’s glands are pea-sized structures that lie adjacent to the base of the urethra. They are one of the two small exocrine glands in the male reproductive system. Bulbourethral glands secrete a fluid that helps in the lubrication of the penis and neutralizes the acidic urine that remains in the urethra.
Bulbourethral glands are homologous to Bartholin’s glands in the female reproductive system.

So, the correct answer is ‘Production of plasma of semen, protection, and nourishment of sperm’.

Note:
Sperms are produced and released by the male reproductive organs. The production of sperm is called spermatogenesis. Spermatogenesis occurs in testis within the seminiferous tubules.