title: Distribution and role of myofibroblasts in human normal seminal vesicle stroma.
abstract: We studied the distribution of myofibroblasts in the stroma of normal seminal vesicles. Twelve normal seminal vesicles obtained by surgery on the diagnosis of some diseases were selected, and we evaluated the distribution of myofibroblasts in the seminal vesicles using immunohistochemical and electron and immunoelectron microscopic techniques. Immunohistochemically, myofibroblasts, which were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA) and negative for high molecular weight caldesmon (h-CD), were observed in the stroma just beneath the epithelium of normal seminal vesicles. Moreover, an electron microscope examination revealed the presence of spindle or stellate cells in the stroma of the lamina propria beneath the seminal vesicle epithelium, and an immunoelectron microscopic examination showed that these cells were positive for ASMA. Finally, myofibroblasts are distributed in the lamina propria of human normal seminal vesicles and may play an important role in the ejection of sperm plasm.
authors: Department of Urology, Program of Tumor Biology and Regulation, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-Cho, Nangoku, Kochi, Japan. simasakiclinic@sky.quolia.com
authors: Nobuyuki
authors: N
authors: Shimasaki
authors: Naoto
authors: N
authors: Kuroda
authors: Eriko
authors: E
authors: Miyazaki
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Hayashi
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Toi
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Hiroi
authors: Hideaki
authors: H
authors: Enzan
authors: Taro
authors: T
authors: Shuin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure