The seminal vesicles are paired sac-like glands that comprise part of the male reproductive system. Positioned at the base of the bladder, the vesicles empty into the ejaculatory duct that leads into the urethra. The primary function of the seminal vesicles is to secrete much of the fluid that carries sperm. In humans, approximately 60 percent of seminal fluid is released by the vesicles, though this varies among mammalian species. The prostate gland is responsible for secreting most of the remainder of the fluid, which combines with mucus produced by the Cowper’s glands to form semen.

The epithelial tissue that lines the seminal vesicles, which are intricately folded organs, is pseudostratified. The secretions of the glands provide nutrients to sperm and help facilitate their movement. Some of the substances contained in the secretions include proteins, fructose, prostaglandins, and enzymes. These materials can sustain sperm for up to three days after ejaculation.

The cytoskeletal filamentous actin network was targeted in a rat seminal vesicle tissue sample with phalloidin conjugated to Alexa Fluor 568. Phalloidin is a member of the phallotoxin group of bicyclic peptides isolated from the deadly Amanita phalloides mushroom. The tissue section was also labeled for nuclear DNA with Hoechst 33342. Images were recorded in grayscale with a 12-bit digital camera coupled to a Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope equipped with bandpass emission fluorescence filter optical blocks. During the processing stage, individual image channels were pseudocolored with RGB values corresponding to each of the fluorophore emission spectral profiles.

Rat Seminal Vesicle Tissue Section Triple Stained for the Golgi Network, F-Actin, and Nuclei - Occasionally the seminal vesicles may develop cysts, tumors, or other problems. Seminal vesicle cysts most commonly become recognized during the years of greatest reproductive activity. When small, the cysts are often asymptomatic and are usually only discovered incidentally during certain medical examinations. Larger cysts may produce a variety of symptoms, including frequent urinary tract infections, pain during ejaculation, pelvic, abdominal, or perineal pain, dysuria, hematuria, and infertility.