Ultrastructural study of the effects of 17 beta-oestradiol on the lateral prostate and seminal vesicle of the castrated guinea pig.

Administration of oestradiol to castrated animals induced hypertrophy of the secretory cells in the lateral prostate and seminal vesicle. In the lateral prostate, increases in the number of small highly electron-dense granules, multivesicular bodies and intercellular spaces were the prevailing effects 2 weeks after oestradiol treatment. There was also an apparent increase in the amount of cytokeratin intermediate filaments. Prolonged oestradiol administration for 4 weeks showed no appreciable changes in the glandular epithelium when compared with 2-week treatment. However, an increase in the thickness of the fibromuscular layer was observed. In the seminal vesicle, basal cell hyperplasia was associated with a concurrent increase in the size of intercellular spaces 2 weeks after oestradiol administration. There were also apparent increases in the volume of the lamina propria and in the number of stromal cells. An apparent increase in the density of collagen fibres in the stroma was observed 2 and 4 weeks after oestradiol administration. In conclusion, the responses of the epithelium of the lateral prostate and seminal vesicle to a pharmacological dose of oestradiol are different. Prolonged oestradiol administration exerts a more prominent effect on the smooth muscle in the lateral prostate but not in the seminal vesicle. The effects of oestradiol may be mediated directly or indirectly through the other hormones.