Ultrastructural localization of zinc in the hyperplastic prostate

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Abstract
The localization of zinc was investigated in specimens of hyperplastic prostate by means of light microscopy, electron microscopy, and x‐ray microanalysis. After fixation in glutaraldehyde plus hydrogen sulfide, representative sections were developed with sulfide‐silver while, for comparison, other sections were not developed. Aggregation of the silver precipitation was seen on the secretory vacuoles of the developed sections. None of the deposits were detected on the nucleus, lysosomes, Golgi apparatus, or other cytoplasmic organelles. X‐ray microanalysis was performed on these sections of hyperplastic prostate. X‐ray energy spectrum analysis of the undeveloped sections revealed that the concentration of zinc on the electrondense materials in the secretory vacuoles corresponded to the deposits of silver granules. The present investigation provides direct proof of the localization of ionized zinc in the cytoplasm of the hyperplastic prostate.