VAN 211: Veterinary Histology and Embryology (2+2)

MESONEPHRIC or WOLFFIAN DUCTS

Male

• Some of the cranial degenerating mesonephric tubules, unite with the seminiferous tubules and form the efferent ducts of the epididymis. The caudal group of degenerating mesonephric tubules persists as paradidymis. The upper end of the mesonephric duct becomes highly convoluted to form the duct of the epididymis and lower portion forms the vas deferens.
• The primordia of the seminal vesicles arise from the terminal part of the mesonephric ducts and so are mesodermal in origin. The prostate and Cowper’s glands arise from the pelvic urethra which is entodermal in origin. The penile part of the urethra is ectodermal in origin.

Female

• The cranial group of mesonephric tubules persists as the epoophoron and the caudal group as the paroophoron.
• The greater part of the mesonephric duct atropies and the distal portion persists as Gartner’s canals in the wall of the vagina.