The fine structure of the ventral lobe of the rat prostate has been observed by electron microscopy.
1) Fine structure of the ventral lobe of normal prostate can be divided into epithelial elements, which consist of tall columnar epithelial cells and a few basal cells, and stromal elements, which consist of smooth muscles, blood capillaries and connective tissue.
2) The glandular cell is a tall columnar cell in which a nucleus is situated towards the base. In the apical portion, many secretory granules and apocrine-like protrusion are observed. The cytoplasm is provided with the particularly well-developed rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi apparatus is located just above the nucleus. It is appears that the secretory materials are discharged from the glandular cell into acinar lumen by eraptocrine mechanism (reverse pinocytosis).
3) Below the glandular cells, and just above the basement membrane there are a few basal cells, which are distinguished by irregular shape, few organellae and a large nucleus. Many desmosomes are observed between the basal cell and the glandular cell, and semi-desmosomes are observed between the basal cell and the basement membrane. Occasionally, the basal cell protrude a cilia into the intercellular space. In the basal cell, fibrillar elements, which are seen in the smooth muscle, have not been observed. Because of above-mentioned findings, it is probable that the basal cell is the reserve cell rather than the myoepithelial cell.
4) Blood capillary in the stroma has a complete continous investment of basement membrane. The endothelial cell is unfenestrated and without perforation. The capillary is invested incompletely with pericyte.
5) Acid phosphatase activity can be seen only in the lysosomes. No activity can be detected within the cisternae of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, in the Golgi apparatus or the secretory granule.
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