The effect of gossypol acetic acid on the prostate gland of the guinea pig was assessed ultrastructurally. The three lobes of the gland showed differences in sensitivity and reacted differently to gossypol treatment. In the lateral prostate, there was a reduction in the profile of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and dense secretory granules with a concurrent appearance of smaller clear granules and an increase in cytoplasmic filamentous bundles. The latter feature was similar to that of the coagulating gland. In the dorsal prostate, the general reaction was similar to that in the lateral prostate except that there was no increase in filamentous content. In the coagulating gland, there was a reduction or total disappearance of apical secretory blebs and an increase in lysosomes, a feature not found in the lateral and dorsal lobes. Damages to mitochondria were observed in the dorsal prostate and coagulating gland but not in the lateral prostate. It is concluded that gossypol affects not only the testis, but also alters the structure and functions of the prostate gland.
Administration of oestradiol to castrated animals induced hypertrophy of the secretory cells in the lateral prostate and seminal vesicle. In the lateral prostate, increases in the number of small highly electron-dense granules, multivesicular bodies and intercellular spaces were the prevailing effects 2 weeks after oestradiol treatment. There was also an apparent increase in the amount of cytokeratin intermediate filaments. Prolonged oestradiol administration for 4 weeks showed no appreciable changes in the glandular epithelium when compared with 2-week treatment. However, an increase in the thickness of the fibromuscular layer was observed. In the seminal vesicle, basal cell hyperplasia was associated with a concurrent increase in the size of intercellular spaces 2 weeks after oestradiol administration. There were also apparent increases in the volume of the lamina propria and in the number of stromal cells. An apparent increase in the density of collagen fibres in the stroma was observed 2 and 4 weeks after oestradiol administration. In conclusion the responses of the epithelium of the lateral prostate and seminal vesicle to a pharmacological dose of oestradiol are different. Prolonged oestradiol administration exerts a more prominent effect on the smooth muscle in the lateral prostate but not in the seminal vesicle. The effects of oestradiol may be mediated directly or indirectly through the other hormones.
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