Plasminogen activator in the human prostate.

The distribution of plasminogen activator in fresh human prostatic tissue has been studied, using a histological technique. The vascular endothelium consistently showed fibrinolytic activity while inconstant and lesser activity arose from the epithelial cells of glands and ducts. Increased epithelial activity was often accompanied by evidence of trauma. Activity of the secretions was insignificant. The source of the fibrinolytic activity of blood in prostatic disease and of the seminal fluid remains uncertain, and cannot yet be ascribed to the prostatic epithelium.