Abstract

In order to promote the application and extension of artificial insemination technique in ostrich industry, we
carried out this research on the structure of male ostrich reproductive organs. The results of systematic anatomic
observation on reproductive organs of 53 obsolete male ostriches show that: (1) For ostrich above 2 years old,
the testis tends to enlarge in breeding season and shrink in ceased period. When they are mature, the color turns
from milk white into the milky grey. With an average body weight 135.6±6.50kg, the ostriches have their testis
678.7±20.44g in weight and 9.6±3.43cm in length on average. (2) For 1-year-old ostriches before sexual maturity,
the penis is smaller and short, shaped as a light pink bar. After sexual maturity, the testis shows a tendency of
enlarging in breeding season and shrinking in ceased period. For ostrich above 2 years old, the weight of penis is
870±45.63g on average and the length is 30.1±12.45cm on average. The depth of ejaculatory groove is
19.18±3.58mm on average. (3) In cloacae, there is a less cyst cavity at the base of penis. In cyst cavity, there are
two 5mm long ejaculatory mastoid processes, which have tubule connected to testis respectively. By systematic
anatomic observation, constructions of ostrich reproductive organs were carefully observed, thus the further
research on artificial insemination technique in ostrich could be promoted.

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