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 (7) was srihrlinided 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 LM. 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
acirti of control rats were lined by simple columnar secretory cells with
small basal cells in between- These cells were supported by a basement
membrane and thrown into internal papillae. The acirti 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 heterochromatitt. Type II cells had
more abundant dark staining cytoplasm and dark nucleus with a wide
band of peripheral heterochromatin. The columnar secretory cells were
characterized by a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, secretory
granules and mien:milli 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 pros tatic acirti. These
changes were: (1) Increasing of the heights ql secretory cells, (2) Increasing
of the mitotic activities of these cells. (3) Loss of normal cellular ar- |
