Ultrastructural morphometric study of the prostate of the rat after microsurgical denervation

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of rat prostate denervation on the ultrastructure of this gland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g. weight) were studied. Forty-two were anesthetized and right major pelvic ganglion (MPG) excised. After 28-30 days, same size prostatic ventral lobe (VL) was obtained for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study and computerized image analysis. These results were compared with those from 38 right VLs of same aged, non-operated rats. RESULTS: A significant decrease of supranuclear and cell heights was observed as well as of the area of epithelial cells after denervation (change in cell polarity). A reduction of Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum areas, and of secretory granules and apical microvilli count (p < 0.001) was also demonstrated in the denervated rats. These findings are consistent with a change of these cells towards a less active phenotype. Stromal smooth muscle cells, on the other hand, showed only an increase of cytoplasmic ribosomal aggregates area. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed an epithelial atrophy of rat prostate after denervation. Ultrastructural findings also suggest an overall decrease of epithelial cell's secretory activity. Nevertheless, the increase of ribosomal area in stromal smooth muscle cells could reflect their activation after denervation.