Acid phosphatase activity in gerbil prostate: comparative study in male and female during postnatal development.
The prostate is present in both male and female mammals. It is composed of secretory epithelium, connective stroma, smooth muscle and neuroendocrine cells, which are under hormonal regulation. Acid phosphatases catalyze the hydrolysis of orthophosphate monoesters. We have compared the expression of acid phosphatases in gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) prostate glands in both sexes using young, adult and old animals. Eighteen prostates were isolated, frozen, sectioned, fixed, incubated with sodium beta-glycerophosphate sodium, washed with acetate buffer solution, treated with ammonium sulfide and counterstained with Methyl-Green aqueous solution. Ultracytochemical analyses were also conducted. This substrate revealed total acid phosphatase activity. The expression of the enzyme was heterogeneous, occurring in all ages during postnatal development. The data revealed that the female prostate matured before the male prostate. In addition, acid phosphatase activity in both sexes was regulated by androgen variation concomitant with development.
Custódio
Ana Maria Galvan
AM
Department of Cell Biology, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP., PO Box 6109, 13084-971 Brazil.
Góes
Rejane Maira
RM
Taboga
Sebastião Roberto
SR
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development*
D000728:Androgens; D000135:Acid Phosphatase