ENDOCRINE-PARACRINE CELLS IN THE SEMINAL VESICLES OF THE GUINEA PIG / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Endocrine-paracrine (EP) cells, also known as APUD or neuroendocrine cells, have been known to exist in the mammalian genito-urinary system. A fairly common localization is in the prostate and urethra. In this study we demonstrated for the first time the presence of small number of EP cells in the dissociated epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of the guinea pig. The EP cells exhibited yellow FIF, while a few green or yellow-green FIF cells can be observed after L-dopa treatment. They were stained positive by the Masson-Fontana's method but consistently negative with the Grimelius silver methods indicating that they were of argentaffin nature or other paracrine cells.