Age-related changes in tissue levels of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen.

Immunoperoxidase localization of prostatic tissue antigens has become useful in identifying the prostate as the origin of metastatic disease. Much research has been aimed at investigating the presence of these antigens in the adult prostate gland in benign and neoplastic states. Few studies have been done to determine the presence of these markers before puberty. We studied the prostate gland of 42 children of varying ages to determine the presence of these antigens at all age ranges to puberty. Sequential sections of the prostate were cut for prostate specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The degree of immunoperoxidase stain was graded from 0 to 4. The results showed that staining levels of prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase were high at birth, decreased by age 6 months, reappeared by age 10 years and increased to puberty. Thus, the levels of prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase appear to follow the testosterone levels, suggesting a hormonal dependence.