Figure 1.3 Tissue layers of testicle: Vt = visceral vaginal tunic, Pt = parietal vaginal tunic, Vc = vaginal cavity, Sc = spermatic cord, Sr = scrotum.

      Testes

      The testes are housed in the scrotum. The scrotum is suspended between the thighs in the inguinal region. The scrotum consists of external and internal layers. The external layer is made up of the skin, tunica dartos, superficial perineal fascia, external spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia, internal spermatic fascia, and parietal vaginal tunic. The skin of the scrotum and tunica dartos muscle are closely adhered whereas the fascial layers easily separate from the skin and the parietal vaginal tunic as in a closed castration technique. The coverings of the testicle itself consist of the visceral vaginal tunic and the tunica albuginea [2]. The visceral vaginal tunic is the innermost layer of the vaginal tunic, an outpouching of abdominal peritoneum that passes through the inguinal canal into the scrotal sac. The potential space between the parietal and visceral vaginal tunic is the vaginal cavity (Figure 1.3). The purpose of the vaginal cavity is for temperature regulation of the testicle by raising it closer to the body through contraction of the tunica dartos and cremaster muscles. The tunica albuginea is a thick fibrous capsule that covers the testicle and maintains the testicular contents under pressure [3]. Internally the tunica albuginea forms the axially positioned mediastinum testis from which connective tissue septa divide the testis into indistinct lobules. This connective tissue framework supports the vasculature, nerves, parenchyma, and tubular system of the testicle. The scrotum of the bull is pendulous due to the dorsoventral orientation of the testes contained within [1].

      Spermatic Cord

      The spermatic cord includes the ductus deferens, vasculature, lymphatic vessels, and nerves of the testicle and epididymis [4]. Essentially the spermatic cord consists of all the tissue within the vaginal tunic so it extends from the vaginal ring within the abdominal cavity to the testicle [5].

Transport

Spermatozoa are transported from the testicles through a tubular system consisting of the convoluted seminiferous tubules, straight seminiferous tubules, rete testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, ductus deferens, and urethra (Figure 1.4). The tubular system allows for maturation and storage of spermatozoa and provides fluid to ease movement of the spermatozoa.

Figure 1.4 Ductules of testicle: Ep‐h = head of epididymis, Et = efferent tubules, Mt = mediastinum testis, Rt = rete testis, Tp = testicular parenchyma, Ep‐t = tail of epididymis.

      Tubular Transport System

The convoluted seminiferous tubules are the location of the spermatogenic process: the development of spermatogonia to primary spermatocytes, to spermatids, and finally to spermatozoa [1]. This process occurs within the wall of the seminiferous tubule. Specific regions of the tubule are devoted to a particular stage of development, so that each stage can be identified by specific histological techniques [6]. Upon completion of spermiogenesis, the spermatozoa are released into the lumen of the convoluted seminiferous tubule to begin transit through the straight seminiferous tubule. The straight seminiferous tubule is simply the connection between the convoluted seminiferous tubule and the rete testis. The rete testis is a “network of irregular labyrinth spaces and interconnected tubules” [2]. The rete testes are located within the mediastinum testis connecting the seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts that exit the testicle at the extremitas capitata (head). The efferent tubular system continues as the epididymis on the external surface of the testis (Figure 1.5). The epididymis is divided into a head, a body located on the medial surface, and a tail located at the distal extremitas caudate.