Final answer:
The normal prostate gland in an intact male dog is palpable as a doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder. It secretes a crucial fluid that makes up a significant portion of semen volume and aids in sperm mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
During digital rectal palpation of an intact male dog, the normal prostate gland can be palpated as a doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra. This walnut-sized organ is composed of both muscular and glandular tissues. It plays a critical role in the reproductive process by excreting an alkaline, milky fluid that is added to seminal fluid, now termed semen. This secretion from the prostate is crucial for the initial coagulation and subsequent decoagulation of semen following ejaculation, helping to retain the semen within the female reproductive tract to provide time for sperm to utilize nutrients and successfully advance farther into the tract. Prostate gland secretions make up about 30 percent of the ejaculate volume.
The glandular tissue produces a thin, milky fluid that includes nutrients such as citrate, enzymes, and prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA is instrumental in liquefying the ejaculate several minutes after it is released, thereby aiding sperm mobility. It is essential for the health and proper functioning of the male reproductive system.