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 Ib 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 anesthesia and prepared for light and electron microscopic examination .The results of this study showed that the prostatic acini 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 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 of peripheral 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 .s of- secretory cells, (2) Increas- ing of the mitotic activities of these cells. (3) loss of normal cellular arrangement on the basement membranc. ( 4) increasing of the thickness of the basement membrane and connective tissue stroma, and (5) Increasing of the secretory activities of the columnar cells in the form of more dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, increased secretory granules and secretory vesicles .
Conclusion : This study showed that the long –term administration of testosterone enathate causes adverse side effects on the rat prostate- so, we recommended that the use of testosterone in future male contra- captive regimens should aim at producing serum testosterone level as close to the physiological range as possible. |
