study of the prostate gland will help to understand its role as a part of the male genital system.
Objectives: The current work aimed to study the normal ultrastructure of the prostate gland in both mature and immature rabbits.
Materials & Methods: Five mature (1 year old) and 5 immature (2-3 months old) healthy normal rabbits were used in the present study. Electron microscopy processing of the prostate gland was carried out.
Results: The epithelial lining of the immature prostatic acini was found to lack the microvilli and epical blebs relative to mature prostatic epithelium. The epithelial lining of the mature prostate gland was found to be typical of secretory cells; abundant secretory granules, numerous mitochondria, prominent Golgi bodies and endoplasmic reticulum. The nuclei were situated basal and were rich in euchromatin. Microvilli are characteristic of mature prostatic glands. Two types of epithelial cells were found; tall secretory and few basal cells both rest on basal lamina.
Conclusion: The ultrastructural changes that occur in mature prostatic epithelium reflect its secretory function and its important role in male fertility |
