Summary
The ultrastructure of the basal cells of rat lateral and ventral prostate and of dog prostate has been studied. Basal cells from both species appear as undifferentiated cells, characterised by a lack of cytoplasmic organelles and a poorly developed Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum. The presence of cytoplasmic filaments and micropinocytosis is not considered to be sufficient evidence to assume any similarity to myoepithelium, as has been previously suggested. Basal cells are instead considered to be precursors of secretory epithelial cells.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brandes, D.: The fine structure and histochemistry of prostatic glands in relation to sex hormones. Int. Rev. Cytol. 20, 207–276 (1966)
Brandes, D.: Fine structure and cytochemistry of male sex accessory organs. In: Male accessory sex organs, structure and function in mammals (D. Brandes, ed.), p. 21. New York: Academic Press (1974)
Brandes, D., Kirchheim, D., Scott, W.W.: Ultrastructure of the human prostate: normal and neoplastic. Lab. Invest. 13, 1541–1560 (1964)
Chandler, J.A., Timms, B.G.: The effect of testosterone and cadmium on the rat lateral prostate in vitro. J. Endocr. 70, 22p. (1976)
Chandler, J.A., Timms, B.G., Morton, M.S., Groom, G.V.: The effect of cadmium administration in vivo on plasma testosterone and the ultrastructure of accessory sex organs of the rat. J. Endocr. 70, 21 p. (1976)
Dahl, E., Kjaerheim, A., Tveter, K.J.: The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat. 1. Normal structure. Z. Zellforsch. 137, 345–359 (1973)
Deane, H.W., Wurzelmann, S.: Electron microscopic observations on the postnatal differentiation of the seminal vesicle epithelium of the laboratory mouse. Amer. J. Anat. 117, 91–133 (1965)
Fisher, E.R., Sieracki, J.C.: Ultrastructure of human normal and neoplastic prostate. Pathol. Ann. 5, 1–26 (1970)
Hamilton, D.W.: The mammalian epididymis. In: Reproductive biology (H. Balin and S. Glasser, eds.), pp. 268–337. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica 1972
Helminen, H.J., Ericsson, J.L.E.: On the mechanism of lysosomal enzyme secretion. Electron microscopic and histochemical studies on the epithelial cell of the rat ventral prostate. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 33, 528–549 (1970)
Helminen, H.J., Ericsson, J.L.E.: Ultrastructural studies on prostatic involution in the rat. Mechanism of autophagy in epithelial cells, with special reference to the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 36, 708–724 (1971)
Leav, I., Morfin, R.F., Ofner, P., Cavazos, L.F., Leeds, E.B.: Estrogen and castration induced effects on canine prostatic fine structure and C-19 steroid metabolism. Endocrinology 89, 465–483 (1971)
Mao, P., Angrist, A.: The fine structure of the basal cell of human prostate. Lab. Invest. 15, 1768–1782 (1966)
Maser, D.M., Soanes, W.A., Gonder, M.J.: A possible mechanism for canine prostatic secretion. J. Urol. (Baltimore) 102, 734–740 (1969)
Rowlatt, C., Franks, L.M.: Myoepithelium in mouse prostate Nature (Lond.), 202, 707–708 (1964)
Schrodt, G.R.: The fine structure of the lateral lobe of the rat prostate gland. Comparison with the dorsal and other lobes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 485–496 (1961)
Seaman, A.R., Winell, M.: The ultrafine structure of the normal prostate gland of the dog. Acta anat. (Basel) 51, 1–28 (1962)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Tenovus Organisation for their generous financial support. This work was also supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council No. G974/304B. One of them (FS) was supported by the British Council
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Timms, B.G., Chandler, J.A. & Sinowatz, F. The ultrastructure of basal cells of rat and dog prostate. Cell Tissue Res. 173, 543–554 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224313
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224313