Prostate Gland in Human Foetuses: A Study of its Histogenesis

ABSTRACT

Background: To study the histogenesis of the prostate gland in human foetuses. ‘Prostates’ is a Greek word which literally means “one who stands before”, protector, guardian. It is important from a clinical point of view as it undergoes benign enlargement from the fifth decade, hence attracting the attention of males around this age and simultaneously the clinicians. Materials and Methods: 100 foetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 14 weeks (85 mm) to 40 weeks (440 mm), products of terminated pregnancies under Medical Termination of Pregnancy, MTP Act of India, 1971 and stillbirths were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences), Imphal, Manipur and utilised for the present study with permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Results and Discussion: The first sign of differentiation is recognised as increased cellularity and denser mesenchymal cells. Cytoarchitecture at specific age period at different age groups are described. Conclusion: Cytoarchitecturally, differentiation of all the three components of the prostate gland was noted as the age changes. It is inferred that of the three components of the adult tissues, the glandular component is differentiated from the epithelial lining of the urethra. This further induces the early mesenchymal tissues to differentiate into muscles and fibrous components. And at term, it has all the three components of the adult tissues although it is not as mature as in adult.