ABSTRACT
The increasing use of testosterone in male contraception has necessitated
evaluation of the effects of testosterone on the structure of the prostate gland, which is
androgen dependent. Twenty eight adult male albino rats were divided into two equal
groups (control and treated groups). The control group (I) was subdivided into two
equal subgroups. The subgroup Ia served as a basic control (no treatment). The
subgroup lb was injected I.M. with 0.5 ml sesame oil once per week for three months.
The treated group (II) was injected I.M. with testosterone enanthate 10mg /kg body
weight once per week for three months. The prostate glands were removed under
ether anaesthesia and prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. The
results of this study showed that the prostatic acini of control rats were lined by a
simple columnar secretory cells with a small basal cells in between. These cells were
supported by a basement membrane and thrown into internal papillae. The acini were
separated from each other by a loose connective tissue. The columnar secretory cells
could be divided into two types. Type I cells were characterized by a pale staining
cytoplasm and a large vesicular nucleus with prominent nucleolus and a narrow
peripheral rim of heterochromatin. Type II cells had more abundant dark staining
cytoplasm and dark nucleus with a wide band ofperipheral heterochromatin. The
columnar secretory cells were characterized by a well—developed rough endoplasmic
reticulum, secretory granules and microvilli on the lumenal surfaces. In the treated
group, the long-term administration of testosterone for three months induced changes
in the structure and secretory activity of prostatic acini. These changes were:
(1)Increasing of the heights of secretory cells. (2) Increasing of the mitotic activities
of these cells. (3) Loss of normal cellular arrangement on the basement membrane.
(4) Increasing of the thickness of the basement membrane and connective tissue
stroma. (5) Increasing of the secretory activities of the columnar cells in the form of |
