Aging effects on the mongolian gerbil female prostate (Skene's paraurethral glands): Structural, ultrastructural, quantitative, and hormonal evaluations

Different from the classic view, the prostate is not a gland exclusive to the male, also being an organ of the female genital system presenting morphofunctional similarity between human and rodent. Thus structural, ultrastructural, morphometric-stereological features of the female prostate (Skene�...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Custodio, Ana Maria G., Santos, Fernanda C. A. [UNESP], Campos, Silvana G. P. [UNESP], Vilamaior, Patricia S. L. [UNESP], Goes, Rejane M. [UNESP], Taboga, Sebastiao R. [UNESP]
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2008
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/21535
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.20637
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/21535
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:female prostate
Mongolian gerbil
aging
steroids hormones
histopathology
ultrastructure
Descripción
Sumario:Different from the classic view, the prostate is not a gland exclusive to the male, also being an organ of the female genital system presenting morphofunctional similarity between human and rodent. Thus structural, ultrastructural, morphometric-stereological features of the female prostate (Skene's paraurethral gland) and steroid serological levels were evaluated during young, adult, and senile ages in the Mongolian gerbil. The morphofunctional precocity of the female gland in comparison with the male gland occurring in young gland is probably associated with the female circulating steroid levels. The hormonal imbalance in senesce coincides with its susceptibility to histopathological lesions, such as epithelial hypertrophy, metaplasia, and intraepithelial neoplasia. Differently than that of males, the aging degeneration of the female gland involves the accumulation of lipofuscin granules. However, the alterations in senile prostate did not damage its functionality. These analyses reinforce the use of this experimental model for the comprehension of glandular morphofunctional aspects with special attention to senescence. Thus, the appreciation of this organ becomes relevant to avoid future discomfort to women's health.