A Guide on the Urogenital System of a Frog

In both male and female frogs, the excretory system is the same; however, the reproductive structures are different. The excretion of frogs is mostly accomplished by the kidneys (which filter the blood), ureters (which transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder), cloaca (which is the structure through which eggs/sperm, urine, and faeces leave the body), and urinary bladder (stores urine).

Frogs are dioecious because the sexes are separated in their reproduction. It follows then that male and female frogs can only be distinguished/identified outwardly during the breeding season of their respective species. These are caused by a copulatory or nuptial pad forming on the first finger of each forelimb, which is exclusive to males. Interestingly, female frogs do not exhibit this feature. Additionally, males have vocal sacs, which allow them to generate noises that are noticeably louder than those produced by females. As a result, the urogenital systems of male and female frogs are investigated independently.

Urogenital system of Frog – Males

Male frogs have a urogenital system similar to that of humans.

The following are the structures of the male urogenital system of frogs:

• Kidney
• Bladder of the urinary system
• Ureter Testis Bidders canal is a canal in the ureter of the testis.
• efferentia vasorum
• Cloaca

Kidney

In the human body, the kidneys are dark red, bean-shaped structures that are compact as nature. They are found in a pair, posteriorly in the body cavity, on both sides of the spinal column. Each kidney is made up of numerous functional and structural components, known as nephrons or uriniferous tubules, which are found throughout the body.

The urinary bladder

It is a thin-walled organ that is found ventral to the rectum of the body. It is used to store urine.

Ureter

The ureter, also known as the urinogenital duct, is found in pairs in males and projects from the kidney in the form of ureters.

Testis

A pair of testicles with a yellowish hue can be found on each side of the body. The mesorchium, a double fold of the peritoneum that separates the upper section of the kidneys from the lower section, is responsible for the placement of these ovoid formations.

Bidder’s canal 

It is a canal into which the vasa efferentia enters the kidneys, and it is also known as the kidney canal. Eventually, this canal comes into contact with the ureter. This structure is in charge of excreting urine, ova, water, and sperm from the body.

Vasa efferentia

 It is a vascular structure that emerges from the testicles and has a number of 10-12 vessels. They travel through the mesorchium and go to the kidneys to do their work.

Cloaca

It is a small chamber that serves as a conduit for the passage of urine, faeces, and sperms to the outer world. The ureter and urine bladder pass through the cloaca to enter the body.

Urogenital system of Frog – Females

Female frogs have a urogenital system similar to that of males.

Female frogs have the following urogenital system structures, which are as follows:

• Kidney
• Urinary bladder
• Ureter
• Ovaries
• Oviduct
• Cloaca

Despite the fact that the kidneys, ureters, and urine bladder are present in both male and female frog urogenital systems, their functions remain the same.

Ovary

The ovary is a paired structure that is located adjacent to the kidneys. The mesovarium, a fold of peritoneum on the outside of the kidneys, is responsible for the presence of these yellow-colored structures on the outside side of the kidneys. They create ova through the process of oogenesis, which is a natural process. A mature female can produce approximately 2500-3000 ova at a time.

Oviduct 

These structures are present on both sides of the ovary, one on each side of the ovary. They are thin, massive, and coiled formations that are white in appearance and appear to be made of wire. These ducts exit the body through different openings in the cloaca.

What is the state of the blood flow to the kidneys?

The renal portal veins and renal arteries are responsible for delivering blood to the kidneys. Urea is the primary excretory product, and it is derived primarily from blood. The renal artery divides in the kidney and then redivides, resulting in the formation of the afferent arteriole, which has a diameter that is greater than that of the efferent branch. The renal veins, on the other hand, are responsible for transporting the detoxified blood away from the kidneys.

The renal portal veins branch into the kidney, and these branches, as well as the efferent arteriole, come together to form a web of capillaries near the uriniferous tubules, which eventually join to form the renal venule.

Conclusion

This system is primarily responsible for excreting urea, which is transported into the kidney by the blood and finally distilled and expelled out. Thus, the urea is removed from the frog’s body by its renal processes, which are found in this system. In this system, the reproductive or genital tissues produce sex cells that are ready to be sent out of the body in order to complete the process of external fertilisation.