ULTRASTRUCTURAL SURFACE ALTERATIONS OF GUINEA-PIG SEMINAL-VESICLE EPITHELIUM DURING POSTNATAL-DEVELOPMENT AND AFTER CASTRATION

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 17  (3) , 248-256
Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy [SEM] was used to define surface changes in seminal vesicle epithelium during normal development and after bilateral orchiectomy. SEM of seminal vesicles from 1 day, 4 wk, and 3 mo. old intact animals revealed a microvilli-studded luminal epithelial surface with high polyhedral cell profiles extending into the luminal area. Deep furrows outlined all intercellular junctions. Microvilli profiles ranged from short knob-like projections located preferentially along cell margins in 1 day old animals to 1 .mu.-long microvilli with random distribution in mature animals. The seminal vesicle epithelium in castrated animals did not revert to the prepubertal state. Cell apices receded from the luminal surface to a level below that of the cell borders and microvilli generally remained somewhat longer in the castrate than in the prepubertal animal. The seminal vesicle epithelium in the prepubertal animal and the long-term castrate may be quite different.