Anatomy and histology of the musk shrew (Suncus murinus) prostate

Abstract

Gross anatomy and the light and electron microscopic characteristics of the musk shrew (Suncus murinus, Insectivora) prostate are described. The prostate is a pair of compound tubuloalveolar glands with one main excretory duct for each gland. Each gland is divided into ventral and dorsal lobes. The tubuloalveoli are larger in diameter and the secretory cells are lower in the ventral than in the dorsal lobes. Probable spontaneous release of secretory granules and accumulation of secretory material in secretory lumina are only observed in the ventral lobes. Secretory material is often crystallized in the secretory lumina. The epithelium of excretory ducts consists of mucous-type secretory cells and the boundary between this epithelium and the glandular epithelium is complex. The glandular epithelium consists of secretory and clear cells. This report illustrates that the structure of the prostate of musk shrew is unique among mammals.

Fetal Prostate Growth and Development

“…No large number of human fetal prostates at varying stages of fetal development have, as yet, been reported. The prostate histomorphogenesis of the mouse (7)(8)(9), monkey (10, l l ) , and other animals (12,13) has been studied. Collectively, these studies of mammalian prostate development demonstrate that the organ appears early in fetal development and originates as a series of ductal evaginations from the urethra.…”

Anatomical study of the pancreas in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus), with special reference to the blood supply and innervation

“…In 1976, the Japanese house musk shrew ( S. murinus ) was established as a new laboratory animal by Oda and Kondo (1976). Since then, the animal has been used increasingly in laboratory studies (Oda and Kondo, 1977; Dryden and Anderson, 1977; Kurohmaru et al, 1980; Nagai et al, 1984; Tanaka, 1986; Kitamura et al, 1990; Isomura, 1993; Kubo and Isomura, 1996; Yamasaki, 1997; Hoyle et al, 1998; Hijikata et al, 1998; Sakai et al, 2002), and valuable information concerning its biological features has been accumulated.…”