Anatomical and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of the Prostate Gland in the Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Abstract

This study examined the morphology and immunohistochemical features of the prostate gland in 15 captive-reared male greater cane rat of known reproductive and medical history. Samples of the glands were taken after gross examination and routinely prepared for both histological and ultrastructural analysis. Immunohistochemistry was also carried out on paraffin-embedded sections of the glands using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and mouse monoclonal antibody for the progesterone receptor (PR). The prostate, which constitutes 0.04% of the body weight, was a paired, lobulated, brownish gland having three left and four right lobes that partly cover the pelvic urethra. Based on the amount and arrangement of the secretory epithelial folding and relative to their distances to the urethra, two histological zones, the central and peripheral, were identified. However, the epithelium of both zones was lined by predominantly simple cuboidal cells with occasional basal cells. The main ultrastructural features of these cuboidal cells were the presence of several nuclear pores on the nucleus, moderately well-developed, short microvilli and bleb-like apical projections, as well as inter-cellular lacunae seen between these cells and the basal cells. The cuboidal epithelial cells also showed positive nuclear staining for ERα and ERβ but not for PR. It is however interesting that the ERα-positive staining was more at the epithelial cells, which is uncommon. These findings highlight the peculiarities in the structure and ultrastructure as well as the unique expression of the oestrogen receptors in the prostate gland of the greater cane rat.

Seasonal variations in the morphology of the seminal vesicles of the African straw‐coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum)

“…Ultrastructural characteristics of the secretory cells of the seminal vesicles of E. helvum , as observed during the rainy season, suggest that the cells are actively involved in synthesis and release of proteins, as has been demonstrated in the seminal vesicles of other mammals (Adebayo et al., 2014; Badia et al., 2006; Oke & Aire, 1997). The release of secretory products from the cells appears to be by merocrine and apocrine modes, as has also been reported in most mammalian species (Abou‐Elmagd et al., 1992; Adebayo et al., 2014; Aumüller et al., 1997; Badia et al., 2006; Renneberg et al., 1995). This is facilitated by the stereocilia in the seminal vesicles of E. helvum .…”

“…(2012) and Adebayo et al. (2014). These were achieved by using the line and irregular measurement applications of the Moticam image analyser of the digital camera, which was calibrated with the stage micrometer gauge under the light microscope at ×100 magnification.…”

Comparative characterization of the prostate gland in intact, and surgically and chemically neutered ferrets

“…In agreement with research findings provided by O'Malley [30], Lewington [42], and Powers and Brown [40], the deferent ducts extend across the caudal half of the prostate gland and open into the urethra. Comparable to other carnivores [3,7], glandular secretions are released into the urethra through many small tubules unlike other species, such as hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) [29,38,47] and rodents [13,48,49], which possess long prostatic ducts.…”

Age-Related Changes in the Gross Morphology and Morphometry of the Testis and Epididymis of the African Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

“…Available research reports on the male reproductive biology of the AGCR (Aire and Van der Merwe, 2003;Adebayo et al, 2009;Adebayo and Olurode, 2010;Adebayo et al, 2014aAdebayo et al, and b, 2015Adebayo et al, , 2016Adebayo et al, , 2019Olukole et al, 2009Olukole et al, , 2010 focused mainly on the adult without any information on age-related changes in the gross morphology and morphometrics of reproductive organs of the animal. This study was therefore designed to investigate age-related changes in the gross morphology and morphometrics of the testis and epididymis of the AGCR.…”