Summary
Glandular cells in the prostate of the intact, adult dog contain numerous, large secretory granules that are released by exocytosis. Following hypophysectomy or castration, the glandular epithelium atrophies and the secretory granules degenerate and eventually disappear. Pharmacologic doses of estradiol-17β 17-cyclopentylpropionate cause the regressed glandular cells to synthesize a new population of smaller granules that are also released by exocytosis, even though estrogen is known to inhibit fluid secretion by the canine prostate. Thus, the mechanisms involved in prostatic synthesis and exocytosis of secretory granules are independent of those regulating fluid secretion and are operative in the absence of androgen or pituitary hormones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Aumüller G (1979) Prostate gland and seminal vesicles. In: Handbuch der Mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen, Vol VII, No 6. Springer, Berlin
Brandes D (1974a) In: Brandes D (ed) Male accessory sex organs. Academic Press, NY, pp 18–114
Brandes D (1974b) Hormonal regulation of fine structure. Op cit Brandes D (ed) Male accessory sex organs. Academic Press, NY, pp 184–222
Collins WP, Mansfield MD, Alladina NS, Sommerville IF (1972) Radioimmunoassay of plasma testosterone. J Steroid Biochem 3:333–348
Gouvelis A, Baker J, Rosenkrantz H (1971) Histochemistry of the canine prostate. Invest Urol 8:426–441
Huggins C (1946) The prostatic secretion. The Harvey Lectures 1946–1947, pp 148–193
Huggins C, Masina MH, Eichelberger LE, Wharton JD (1939) Quantitative studies of prostatic secretion. 1. Characteristics of normal secretion, the influence of thyroid, suprarenal and testis extirpation and androgen substitution on the prostatic output. J Exp Med 70:543–557
Isaacs JT, Isaacs WB, Wheaton LG, Coffey DS (1980) Differential effects of estrogen treatment on canine seminal plasma components. Invest Urol 17:495–498
Leav I, Merk FB, Ofner P, Goodrich G, Kwan PWL, Stein BM, Sar M, Stumpf WE (1978) Bipotentiality of response to sex hormones by the prostate of castrated and hypophysectomized dogs. Direct effects of estrogen. Am J Pathol 93:69–92
Luft JH (1971) Ruthenium red and violet. Anat Rec 171:347–368
Merk FB, Leav I, Kwan PWL, Ofner P (1980) Effects of estrogen and androgen on the ultrastructure of secretory granules and intercellular junctions in regressed canine prostate. Anat Rec 197:111–132
Rosenkrantz H (1969) Physiology of prostatic phosphohydrolase secretion. Ann N Y Acad Sci 166:466–481
Schoonees R, Reynoso G, De Klerk JN, Murphy GP (1973) Anti-androgen effects on canine prostatic secretion. Invest Urol 10:434–437
Smith ER, Lebeaux M (1971) The composition of nerve induced canine prostatic secretion. Invest Urol 9:100–103
Smith ER, Pawlowski AA, Rosenkrantz H (1964) Secretion of nitrogenous substances by the pilocarpine-stimulated canine prostate gland. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 17:815–818
Wrobel KH (1972) Histochemische und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an der Prostata von Hund und Katze. Zentralbl Verterinärmed (C) 1:93–116
Wu C-H, Lundy LW (1971) Radioimmunoassay of plasma estrogens. Steroids 18:91–111
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kwan, P.W.L., Merk, F.B., Leav, I. et al. Estrogen-mediated exocytosis in the glandular epithelium of prostates in castrated and hypophysectomized dogs. Cell Tissue Res. 226, 689–693 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214795
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214795