The micro-morphological changes of rats' ventral prostates following castration / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To reveal the morphologic changes of rats' prostates after castration, and to explore the possible mechanism that causes these morphologic changes. Methods 90 male adult rats were randomized into 9 groups (10 per group), one group as the control, while the others were sacrificed 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21 days post castration. Prostates were harvested, then fixed, embedded, sectioned, and observed by light microscope and electric telemicroscope. Furthermore, sections of the prostates were detected for apoptosis by TUNEL and PCNA by immunohistochemistry. Sections stained by HE were applied to computer-based imaging analysis system in order to count the area of glands, stroma and the width of the epithelium separately. Results Prostatic glands were atrophied, and the secretion of glands was diminished post castration. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred in the epithelia as well as in the stromal cells and the proliferation index was decreased. Conclusions Weight and volume loss of the prostates after castration was due to the loss and atrophy of the prostate cells as well as the decrease of secretion. Apoptosis and proliferation might play a role in the atrophy of the prostate.