RESUMO
The present study was carried out to investigate the structure and the glycoconjugate properties of the apoptotic cells in the rat accessory sex glands (prostate gland, seminal vesicle and coagulating gland) after castration. After identifying the apoptotic cells by TUNEL method, the structure and the glycoconjugate property of these cells was observed with the light and electron microscopes, using nine kinds of lectins (PSA, UEA I, GSL I B4, ECL, DBA, SBA, DSL, GSL II or WGA). And also, the glycoconjugate properties of the apoptotic cells originated from the prostate epithelial cell culture were investigated. The apoptotic cells have condensed and fragmented nucleus, and also have degenerated and condensed cytoplasm. The numerous apoptotic cells were observed in the accessory sex gland at 2nd day after castration, and in the cultured prostate epithelial cell which were grown in the medium lacking growth factors for 12 hours. The cytoplasm and nucleus of the apoptotic cells induced by castration showed positive reaction with PSA, UEA I, SBA, DSL and WGA, which indicate apoptotic cells have the glycoconjugates contain alpha-D-mannose, alpha-L-fucose, terminal beta-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and internal beta-1, 4-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine oligomer. But normal epithelial cells of the accessory sex glands showed different glycoconjugate property from the apoptotic cells. These facts suggest that the glycoconjugate property was changed by apoptosis. The apoptotic cells induced by culture showed positive reactions with the nine different lectins.