THE EFFECT OF CHOLESTEROL-RICH DIET ON THE MOUSE PROSTATE

Histological and Chemical Study

Abstract

The long-term effects of a cholesterol-rich diet (1% cholesterol) on the prostate and prostatic urethra of the mouse were investigated in 5 groups: non-treated, testosterone-treated, diethylstilbestrol-treated, castrated and saponin-treated groups. Cholesterol contents in the prostate were also evaluated.
In the non-treated group, the cholesterol-rich diet caused an increase in the weight and a papillary or cribriform hyperplasia of the acinar secretory cells in the ventral prostate. This hyperplasia was similar to the change of glandular epithelial cells observed in the testosterone-treated mice fed a standard diet. Hyperplasia caused by the cholesterol-rich diet was also found in the testosterone- and diethylstilbestrol-treated groups, but not in the castrated or saponin-treated groups.
As regards to the prostatic urethra, the cholesterol-rich diet caused dilatation of the lumen of the urethra and round dilatation of the duct in the ventral prostate. But, no remarkable change was found in the epithelium of the duct.
In the non-treated group, an increase in the total cholesterol content of the ventral prostate was obtained by the cholesterol-rich diet. However, there was no difference in the cholesterol content per unit tissue weight.