Comparison of the zones of the human prostate with the seminal vesicle: morphology, immunohistochemistry, and cell kinetics.
BACKGROUND
The prostate contains three glandular zones (central, peripheral, transition) with widely differing susceptibilities to cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Most of the prostate is derived from urogenital sinus, but the central zone may be derived from Wolffian duct, in common with the seminal vesicles (SV). The peripheral zone is the most frequent site of cancer and the transition zone is the almost exclusive site of BPH.


METHODS
We compared the histology and immunohistochemistry of the SV with those of the prostate zones in order to identify differences associated with susceptibility to disease or different embryological origins. Sections from the prostates of nine organ donors (aged 15-36) were stained for tissue-specific markers, antigens previously shown to stain differentially between the zones and markers of cell proliferation and cell death.


RESULTS
Neuroendocrine cells were absent from the SV and significantly fewer neuroendocrine cells were seen in the central zone compared to the peripheral zone. Most of the SV epithelium stained for lactoferrin, compared to approximately one-third of central zone and only 2% of peripheral zone epithelial cells. The proliferative index of the central zone was approximately 50% lower and the incidence of apoptotic cells approximately half that of the peripheral and transition zones.


CONCLUSIONS
The central zone has features in common with both the SV and the other zones of the prostate. The higher incidence of proliferative diseases in the transition and peripheral zones may be associated with the higher rate of cell turnover observed in these zones.
Laczkó
István
I
The Prostate Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Urology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Hudson
David L
DL
Freeman
Alex
A
Feneley
Mark R
MR
Masters
John R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism