Localization of estrogen receptor alpha in adult male albino rat reproductive tract: an immunohistochemical study

There is a considerable variation within and between species in reports of estrogen receptors' localization in the male reproductive tract. The aim of this work is to detect sites of estrogen receptor alpha [ERalpha] in different parts of the male rat genital system. Eight adult rats were anesthetized and scarified. Testis, efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, and prostate specimens were taken; paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H and E and immunohistochemical stains for the detection of ERalpha. ERalpha was detected only in Leydig cells of testis. In efferent ductules, ERalpha was strongly expressed in epithelial cells whereas stromal cells were moderately positive. In epididymis, a few narrow cells of the head, some principal cells in the body showed a moderate positive reaction, and very few apical and basal cells in the tail showed a weak reaction. Stromal cells of the epididymis showed a strong positive immunoreaction in the head and body, whereas in the tail they were weakly positive. In the vas deferens, ERalpha immunopositivity was absent in epithelial cells but was detected in the stromal cells. Similarly, prostatic epithelium was ERalpha immunonegative, whereas stromal cells were immunopositive. The area% of ERalpha immunoexpression, the mean epithelial number, and the mean stromal number of immunopositive ERalpha cells showed a significant difference among different parts of the male genital tract. The highest area% of immunoexpression and the number of ERalpha-immunopositive cells in the epithelium were detected in efferent ductules. ERalpha was selectively expressed along the reproductive tract only by Leydig cells of testis, with the highest expression in the efferent ductules. Therefore, the present work reports the effects of exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors, and also provides potential targets for development of nonandrogen male contraceptive methods

Effect of ageing on albino rat female prostate [paraurethral glands]: a histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric study

Introduction: The prostate is not a gland exclusive to males, also being an organ of the female genital system

Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to detect histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric changes associated with ageing in female paraurethral glands [PUGs]

Materials and methods: Forty female rats were divided into two groups: adult group and aged group; each group comprised 20 rats. PUGs of both groups were removed, paraffin sections were obtained and stained with H and E, Mallory trichrome, periodic acid schiff, anti-alpha smooth muscle actin and anti-Ki67 immunostains, and then studied morphometrically

Results: The adult gland was formed of two lobes located on both sides of the urethra and showed large and small acini with wide lumens that contained periodic acid schiff-positive secretions. The acini were lined by cubical and/or columnar epithelium of two types: secretory and basal cells. Also, a few collagen fibres, thick periacinar smooth muscle layers and a few Ki67-positive cells were observed. Aged gland showed disarrangement of acinar epithelium, with formation of alveolus-like structures. Stroma was more vascular, with the appearance of newly developed acini and inflammatory infiltrate. Statistically, aged gland showed a highly significant increase in the number of acini, height of acinar epithelium, area% of collagen and Ki67 immunoexpression. In addition, a highly significant decrease in the area of acini, and a significant decrease in the acinar nuclear area and thickness of periacinar smooth muscle layers were detected

Conclusion and recommendation: Ageing of female prostate [PUG] was associated with abnormal histological and morphometric changes similar to those occurring in male prostate and this could adversely affect the health and quality of women's life. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate processes that maintain homeostasis of this gland

Effect of Helicobacter pylori on the mucosa of the lower end of the esophagus in induced chronic gastritis in adult albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Although Helicobacter pylori is linked to the occurrence of chronic gastritis, its effect on the lower end of the esophagus is still an open question. This study aimed to investigate the histological changes in the mucosa in the lower end of the esophagus after experimental induction of chronic gastritis by H. pylori, with special emphasis on changes occurring under its different lines of eradication. Thirty-six adult female albino rats were divided into control [group I] and experimental [group II] groups. The latter group received 0.5 ml of H. pylori brucella broth through an orogastric tube in daily morning doses for 1 week. Eight weeks later, rats of group II were further subdivided into four subgroups: lla, lib, He, and lid. Rats of the latter three subgroups were treated for an additional 4 weeks with amoxicillin, curcuminoid extract, and a mixture of both, respectively, whereas subgroup lla underwent no treatment for H. pylori. Twelve weeks after induction of H. pylori, samples from the lower end of the esophagus were stained with H and E, Mallory's trichrome, and nitrotyrosine immunoperoxidase and studied morphometrically. Subgroup lla showed an increase in the height of the epithelium that had inflammatory infiltrations, mitotic cells, spaces separating prickle cells, and many keratohyalin granules. The lamina propria showed elongated connective tissue papillae, wide spaces, and inflammatory cells. There was a highly significant increase in the mean number of inflammatory cells, epithelial and connective tissue papillae height, thickness of keratohyalin granules-containing layer, and area% of nitrotyrosine immunostaining. Subgroup lib treated with amoxicillin showed worsening of histological and immunohistochemical changes as well as of all morphometrically measured values. However, subgroups He and lid showed improvement in most of these changes, H. pylori treated with amoxicillin worsened the inflammatory changes, whereas curcuminoid extract improved the condition. Further studies to evaluate the use of curcumin with other anti H. pylori drugs are needed