The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat. XI. Nuclear alterations of prostatic epithelial cells induced by castration

The fine structure of the nuclei of epithelial cells of the dorsal lobe of the rat prostate were studied 2, 3, 5, 7 and 21 days after castration. The nucleolus appears to undergo a progressive disorganisation with partial fragmentation and dispersion of its normal components. Changes in the nucleoplasm were primarily reflected by a condensation of chromatin, particularly along the nuclear membrane and adjacent to the nucleolus. Later, different types of intranuclear inclusions were observed. After 21 days, the nuclei were characterized by an irregular outline with large indentation. Within the nucleoplasm aggregates of coarse granular chromatin were found. No cell necrosis was observed, indicating that androgen deprivation results in a remodeling of the cell to a less active state with marked cellular alterations and cessation of secretion, but apparently with some of their basic functions still intact. Injections of testosterone completely reverse the castrated-induced alterations. The changes observed are assumed to be due to the withdrawal of the androgenic stimulus, with a direct influence on the secretory function of the cell. The findings support the view that the stimulating secretory effect of androgen is mediated via an intranuclear androgen receptor, probably located in the nucleolus-associated-chromatin. It is also proposed that the secretory function of the epithelial cells of the prostatic complex, initiated by androgens, may be regulated by an intranuclear secretory center.

Clinical conference I. Calvarium and cranial base in Apert's syndrome: an autopsy report

A post-mortem examination of a 22-month-old boy with Apert's syndrome is reported. A linear coronal craniectomy performed at 11 months of age had fused completely in spite of the insertion of polyethylene film between the bony edges. Furthermore, progressive synostosis of other cranial sutures was observed. Histological examination of the cranial base showed that the sphenofrontal suture was fused and that the entire cerebral surface, including the sella turcica, was characterized by bone resorption. The sphenooccipital synchondrosis was extremely wide and abnormally shaped, and the chondral growth activity seemed diminished. It was concluded that the patient exhibited primary as well as secondary growth distrubances in the calvarium and cranial base. The premature synostosis of the coronal and sphenofrontal sutures and the anomaly of the sphenooccipital synchondrosis were interpreted as primary defects. The altered shape of the calvarium and the marked resorption and shortening of the cranial base were considered secondary changes. Furthermore, the investigation indicated that the conventional linear coronal craniectomy cannot be expected to improve the craniofacial growth pattern in patients with Apert syndrome. Alternative surgical procedures were suggested.

The Vater association: malformations of the male external genitalia

Eight cases with the VATER association of malformations are presented. Maliformations of the external genitalia were found in 3 out of 7 male patients. Two of them presented with a bifid scrotum and a caudally displaced, dysplastic penis. Two patients had been exposed to progestin in early pregnancy and one of them had hyposadias and testicular atrophy. It is suggested that malformations of the male external genitalia might be part of malformations found in the VATER association.

Flexor tendon synovectomy of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis. A follow-up study of 201 operated hands

A follow-up study of 201 flexor tendon synovectomies of the hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is presented. The operations were performed from 1/2-49 years after onset of the disease, and the patients were between 16 and 76 years of age. The follow-up study is based on questionnaires and, in addition, 78% of the patients also had a physical re-examination. The follow-up time spanned 12-78 months. Nearly 70% of the operated hands were subjectively improved; the others were unchanged or worse. The poor results were often caused by progression of arthritis in finger joints. Recurrence of the tenosynovitis was observed in about 37% of the hands, but in very few to such an extent that reoperation has been necessary.

The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat 10. Effect of chlormadinon

The present paper describes the fine structure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat as seen after administration of the anti-androgenic compound chlormadinon acetate for 20 days. There was a general involution of the organs with macroscopic atrophy and reduced amount of secretory material. Ultrastructurally the cells contained less organelles as compared with the controls, loss of cytoplasm and reduction both of cell height and width. The major changes also included reduction of the Golgi areas and the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Within the dorsal lobe prominent nuclear changes were found. The alterations observed in the present study are similar to the changes which were found in rats treated with another anti-androgenic compound, Cyp A. It is concluded that these two antiandrogenic compounds exert their effects through similar mechanisms with a specific influence on the prostate and the seminal vesicles.

A morphologic description of a dry skull with mandibulofacial dysostosis

The morphology of an East Indian, dry skull exhibiting the characteristics of mandibulofacial dysostosis (MFD) is described. The skull was small, but the shape of the calvarium was essentially normal. Extensive anomalies were registered in the sphenoid bone, the temporal bone, the zygomatic bone, the maxilla, and the mandible. A lateral cephalometric radiograph of the skull was compared with a mean value diagram of adult Danish males in order to illustrate the morphologic aberrations of the MFD skull. The etiology and pathogenesis of the syndrome are disucssed.

Purification of zymogen granules from monkey parotid glands

A method giving highly purified zymogen granules from Macaca irus and Cercopithecus aethiops parotid glands in reported. A 0.3 M sucrose medium for homogenization was supplemented with 10 mM tris/HCl, pH 7.3, and 0.1 mM lauric acid to stabilize the fragile monkey zymogen granules. Nuclei and cell debris were sedimented at 150 times g. A "crude" zymogen granule fraction was trapped in the 1.0 M sucrose layer of a discontinuous sucrose gradient at 1000 times g. Equilibrium centrifugation in a continuous sucrose gradient gave a fraction of zymogen granules at 1.85 M sucrose. Compared to the homogenate, this fraction exhibited about two-fold increase in zymogen granule marker, whereas mitochondrial marker was reduced to 1/4 and lysosomal marker to 1/2. A low level of contamination from other cell organelles was confirmed by electron microscopic investigation.

The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat. 9. The effect of an antiandrogenic compound, SKF 22,340

The coagulating gland and the dorsal lobe of the rat prostate were studied after administration of the antiandrogenic compound SKF 22,340. There was a general involution of the organs, with macroscopic atrophy and a reduced amount of secretory material. Ultrastructurally the cells contained fewer organelles as compared with the controls. There were also loss of cytoplasm and reduction both of cell height and width. Within the dorsal lobe, prominent nuclear and nucleolar changes were found. The alterations observed in the present study are similar to changes which were found in animals treated with another antiandrogenic compound, cyproterone acetate. The results are discussed in relation to the available biochemical data.

The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat. 7. The effect of an anti-androgenic compound, SK and F 22340

The influence of a potent anti-androgenic compound, SK and F 22340, on the ultrastructure of the lateral and ventral prostate and the seminal vesicles of the rat has been studied. After treatment for 18 days there was macroscopic atrophy of the organs with decreased amount of secretory material. There was reduction of the height and width of the epithelial cells and loss of cytoplasm. The most distinct changes were found in the cytoplasm and comprised a quantitative reduction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and of free ribosomes; the Golgi apparatus was reduced and the number of secretion granules were diminished. All the alterations observed are apparently similar to the changes caused by bilateral orchidectomy.

The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat: the effect of cyproterone acetate

The present paper describes the fine structure of the ventral and lateral prostate and the seminal vesicles of the male rat after administration of an anti-androgen, cyproterone acetate, given as subcutaneous injections for varying periods (5–18 days). The treatment caused a general involution with macroscopic atrophy of the organs and reduced the amount of secretory material. There was a marked reduction of both the cell height and width and loss of cytoplasm. The main cytoplasmic changes consisted of a quantitative reduction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes; the Golgi apparatus was diminished and the number of secretion granules markedly decreased. All the alterations observed are apparently similar to the changes induced by castration.

The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat. 4. Effect of testosterone

The present paper describes the fine structure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat as seen after stimulation with testosterone administered to castrated adults as well as infantile rats.

Electron microscopic examination of the testosterone-treated castrated animals revealed an almost complete regeneration of the epithelial cells in all the organs, with a well developed Golgi area, a well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and an increased number of secretory granules. The results obtained are discussed in relation to the biochemical data, and it is concluded that the various cell types of the accessory genital complex react in a fundamentally similar manner to the administration of testosterone.

The innervation of the cerebral arteries

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The effects of gonadotrophins on the granulosa cells of the domestic fowl

The fine structure of ovarian granulosa cells as seen after the administration of gonadotrophins to the domestic fowl is described. The main cytoplasmic changes of the granulosa cells were increase in the size of the Golgi apparatus, increased amount of granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum, dense bodies, increased number of mitochondria, the presence of annular desmosomes and enlargement of the cells. The alterations observed are consistent with hypertrophy of the granulosa cells.

In comparison with previous investigations on the steroid-producing cells of the corresponding follicles under exactly the same experimental conditions, the present study indicates that the steroid-producing cells of the theca interna primarily seem to be the main target for the effect of gonadotrophins. The locally increased amount of steroids then initiate the early growth of the granulosa cells and the oocyte. Later on, when the granulosa cells have proliferated to form a spherical mass with the ovum at the center, the gonadotrophins also exert their influence on the granulosa cells. Thus gonadotrophin per se is not essential for the early growth of the granulosa cells.

Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. I. A comparative study of the fine structure of the ovarian interstitial tissue in the rat and the domestic fowl

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Pheromone Transport and Reception in an Amphipod

Sexual dimorphism in the second antennae of the amphipod Gammarus duebeni Lilljeborg is connected with the reception in the male of a female sex pheromone transported through the water. Investigations on tritium-labeled specimens were carried out with scintillator and autoradiographic techniques.

The fine structure of nuclear inclusions

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