MORPHOMETRIC AND STEREOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM THE SEMINAL-VESICLE OF CASTRATED GUINEA-PIGS TREATED WITH 17-BETA-ESTRADIOL BENZOATE

Morphometric and stereological data are presented showing that the average thickness of the glandular epithelium (including secretory and basal cells together with intercellular spaces) of the seminal vesicle of the guinea pig increased significantly after oestradiol administration when compared with castrated controls. The increase in thickness was accompanied by a significant increase in the volume density of intercellular spaces. There were significant decreases in volume, surface and numerical densities of the secretory cell nuclei with respect to the glandular epithelium. The increase in the volume and surface densities of the secretory cell nuclei with respect to the average secretory cell was due to the significant increase in the average volume of the secretory cell. The increase in the mean volume of secretory cells was the result of a significant increase in the average cytoplasmic volume. In comparison with castrated controls, the structural data of cytoplasmic organelles also showed significant increases in total volume and surface area of granular endoplasmic reticulum per average secretory cell following oestradiol administration. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the total volume of Golgi cisternae per cell. The increase in the cytoplasmic volume of secretory cells after oestradiol treatment may be the result of an increase in number of organelles responsible for protein synthesis. The present study has provided quantitative evidence that the secretory function of the seminal vesicle of castrated guinea pigs may have been stimulated after oestradiol administration, which cannot be easily detected in a qualitative manner.