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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Lectin histochemistry of mucus-secreting cells in the calf bulbourethral gland.

The bulbourethral glands of 2-month-old calves were studied by means of lectin histochemical methods. The lectin-binding sites for each considered lectin can be divided into three groups according to their zonal topography. In the first group including PNA, MPA, RCAI, SBA and BPA binding sites were seen in most of the secreting tubules and end pieces. In the second group (WGA, GSI, DBA, UEAI and Con A) the reactive cells were limited to a reduced number of tubuloalveolar units generally located at the periphery of the gland. The third group was composed of two lectins, GSII and LTA for which the bulbourethral parenchyma was unreactive. These findings can be related to the glandular activity of the calf bulbourethral gland except for restricted peripheral areas with an appearing functional differentiation. This duality in the histochemical nature of glycoconjugates was compared with previous results obtained in other groups of mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Pathological findings in the bulbourethral glands of bulls.

The bulbourethral glands of 323 Bos indicus or B. indicus crossbred bulls more than 1 1/2 years old were examined in an abattoir study. Bulbourethral adenitis was diagnosed grossly and confirmed by histological examination in 4 (1.2%). Unilateral chronic interstitial inflammation was seen in 2 cases; one of these was associated with a degenerative-type seminal vesiculitis. In the others adenitis was bilateral; in one case it was associated with a concretion and foreign (plant) material in the principal duct of the left bulbourethral gland; in the other bilateral case, numerous calculi were present and microscopically, a chronic active and diffuse inflammation was observed. Chemical analysis of the calculi showed calcium oxalate and tricalcium phosphate to be the most important components. Corynebacterium spp was isolated from the lesion with multiple calculi but attempts to isolate Chlamydia spp, Mycoplasma spp and Brucella abortus from the 4 adenitis cases were unsuccessful. Congenital abnormalities such as glandular fusion (2.2%) or unilateral aplasia (0.6%) were also observed. Cysts were the most common finding (19.2%), and duct dilation was frequent (7.1%). The significance of these findings in relation to fertility is considered.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Structural and ultrastructural features of boar bulbourethral glands.

The morphological features of boar bulbourethral glands were examined by light and transmission microscopy. Bulbourethral glands are compound tubuloalveolar glands surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue and arranged in multiple lobules formed by endpieces and excretory ducts. Endpieces and excretory ducts are both lined by a single epithelium of mucous cells with a basal nucleus. Epithelial cells accumulate secretory granules containing neutral and carboxylated acid mucosubstances and a small amount of sulphated acid mucosubstances. The ultrastructure of epithelial cells varies according to the secretory cycle. In initial stages, the cells show a columnar shape and secretory granules unevenly distributed in the cytoplasm. As the synthesis of mucosubstances progresses, the amount of the secretory granules increases and the cellular shape becomes pyramidal. Secretory granules can contain inclusions and present differences among them according to their different phases of formation. In pyramidal cells, secretory products are released into the lumen by a merocrine mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Bulbourethral Gland Cysts in Three Mice.

Diseases of bulbourethral glands have rarely been reported in mice. The present report describes bulbourethral gland cysts in three male mice: a.1yearold DBA/2J mouse (case 1), a 10monthold nude mouse (case 2), and a 4.5monthold chimeric mouse (case 3). Round to oval fluctuant nodules were observed on their dorsal perineum. The nodules in cases 1 and 2 were pale, pink to tan, soft, and glistening; in case 3, the mass was purple-red and soft. All nodules were located subcutaneously between the bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernous muscles, with a deep connection to the urethra. The nodules were 13 mm (case 1), 6 mm (case 2), and 8 mm (case 3) in diameter. The cut surface of the nodules was cystic; the lumina were filled with clear gelatinous or viscous (cases 1 and 2) or thin blood-tinged fluid (case 3). The nodules comprised irregular cysts and acini that were lined by a single layer of cuboidal, pyramidal to tall columnar epithelial cells with little stroma. Bulbourethral gland cysts should be included as differential diagnoses for perineal nodules or swellings in mice.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

[Endocrinocytes of the human bulbourethral glands].

Structure, topography and numbers of endocrinocytes in bulbourethral glands of mature men were studied using immunohistochemical demonstration of chromogranin A. Chromogranin-positive cells were found to be predominantly localized in the epithelium of excretory ducts, while they were sparse in the terminal secretory portions. Endocrinocytes in bulbourethral glands were shown to possess argyrophobic properties and to be stained with antibodies against common cytokeratin. The possibility of epithelial histogenesis of bulbourethral gland endocrinocytes is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Some histochemical studies on the prostate, urethral and bulbourethral glands of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

The histochemical localization of carbohydrates, ribonucleoproteins (RNA), lipids, some hydrolytic enzymes, succinate and lactate dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase were investigated in the prostate, urethral and bulbourethral glands of the camel. These glands probably secrete carbohydrate-protein complexes. In the bulbourethral glands, they are sulphated mucopolysaccharides. RNA was seen in the cytoplasm of the prostate and urethral glands. Neutral lipids were cytoplasmic and present in moderate amounts in the prostate and urethral glands and in traces, in the bulbourethral gland. Acid phosphatase-containing granules were abundant in the prostate, moderate in the urethral glands and in traces in the bulbourethral glands. Alkaline phosphatase was observed in the apical cytoplasm of the prostate and bulbourethral glands and in the ducts of the urethral glands. ATPase and adenosine 5-monophosphatase were seen in the basal laminae and interstitial tissue. In the urethral glands, adenosine 5-monophosphatase was distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm. Succinate dehydrogenase was seen in the urethral and bulbourethral glands. Varying degrees of lactate dehydrogenase activity was observed in all the glands. Acetylcholinesterase was confined to neural elements. The pars disseminata and the urethral glands were considered as two distinct glandular zones along the pelvic urethra. The significance of these histochemical results is discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2004

Immunohistochemical characteristics of neurons supplying the porcine bulbourethral gland.

In the male pig, the bulbourethral gland (BG) is a particulary well developed accessory genital gland (AGG) which produces complex secretion contributing to the fluid component of semen. The secretory and motor function of AGGs is thought to be under the autonomic nervous system control. Although relatively much is known about the innervation of the prostate gland and, to a lesser degree, of the seminal vesicle, the paucity of data dealing with the innervation of BG is striking. Therefore, combined retrograde tracing and double-labelling immunofluorescence have been used to investigate the distribution and immunohistochemical properties of autonomic and primary afferent neurons projecting to this gland in the pig. BG-projecting neurons were found in some ipsilateral (I) and contralateral (C) sympathetic chain ganglia (SChG), the caudal mesenteric ganglion (CaMG), pelvic ganglia (PG) and some dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the vast majority of CaMG and SChG BG-projecting neurons contained tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopaminebeta-hydroxylase (DbetaH), and some neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SOM) and galanin (GAL). Three subpopulations of PG neurons supplying BG could be distinguished: 1) cholinergic neurons [vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-positive] which also contained vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), SOM and NPY, 2) adrenergic neurons (TH-positive) which also stained for NPY, GAL or leu5-enkephalin (LEU), and 3) non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurons (NANC). DRG BG-projecting neurons contained mostly substance P (SP) and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) which sometimes colocalized with GAL. The possible functional significance of the substances found within the neurons is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Fertility alpha-2-microglobulin expression in the human bulbourethral glands].

Fertility alpha-2-microglobulin (FAMG) was demonstrated in the human bulbourethral glands by the method of indirect immunoperoxidase staining using monoclonal antibodies against FAMG. The product of the immunohistochemical reaction was primary found in the duct cells. Weak immunopositive reaction was observed in single epitheliocytes of the secretory units. FAMG-positive granularity was typically found in the supranuclear cytoplasmic zone, that corresponds to the localization of secretory granules both in the glandulocytes and in the duct cells. These results suggest, that the bulbourethral glands are probably the additional producers of human seminal plasma FAMG.

Bulbourethral Glands↗
PubMed2006

[Dynamics of proliferation and apoptosis in the human bulbourethral glands in the process of aging].

The dynamics of the processes of proliferation and apoptosis in the epithelium of the bulbourethral glands in men aged 17-90 years was studied using monoclonal antibodies against PCNA and p53. Higher levels of cell reproduction and cell death were noted in the glandular duct epithelium as compared to those in secretory portions. Age-related increase in apoptosis which correlated with the activation of the glandular cell proliferation was shown. In old men, apoptosis in the bulbourethral glands was accompanied by the tendency to reduced cell proliferation. The correlation between the processes of cell reproduction and cell death in the epithelium of the bulbourethral glands, as well as their dependence on blood androgen levels, are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Histochemistry of glycoconjugates in the secretory epithelium of the goat bulbourethral gland.

To investigate the histochemical nature of the secretory epithelium lining the goat bulbourethral gland, glycoconjugates contained in these secretory epithelial cells have been studied by means of light- and electron-microscopic histochemistry. The methods employed involved a series of conventional staining and peroxidase-labeled lectin diaminobenzidine procedures together with combined selective methods such as digestion with enzymes. According to the results obtained in the present work, the secretory cells of the goat bulbourethral gland can be grouped into two types: cells with glycoconjugate-rich granules and those with less amounts of glycoconjugates. The gland is at least dual in the nature of its secretory activities.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Androgen dependence of growth and epithelial morphogenesis in neonatal mouse bulbourethral glands.

The early development of the mouse bulbourethral gland (BUG) and the role of testosterone (T) in the normal growth and epithelial morphogenesis of this male accessory sex gland were examined. The mouse BUG differentiates from the urogenital sinus on day 17 of gestation (vaginal plug = day 0; birth = day 19), and initially consists of a solid epithelial rudiment encased in a large condensed capsular mesenchyme. The epithelium begins to branch and canalize on day 1 postnatally, and the branches enlarge and become more numerous on days 2 and 3. On day 4, secondary branches appear, and by day 6, the epithelium has become extensively arborized and almost fills the mesenchymal capsule. The BUG increases 3.9-fold in DNA content from day 0 (day of birth) to day 6 postnatally; the epithelium grows proportionately more than the mesenchyme during this period (12-fold vs. 2.3-fold). Growth of BUGs in mice castrated at birth or castrated and then treated with cyproterone acetate, an antiandrogen, over the first 6 days of life was reduced by 80%, but not abolished. Thus, the growth of the BUG is partially independent of androgens during early neonatal life. However, morphogenesis of the BUG epithelium is totally abolished in neonatally castrated mice. T replacement given to neonatally castrated mice during days 0-6 restored development to normal. T injections also reinitiated growth and morphogenesis in developmentally retarded BUGs from 6-day-old neonatally castrated mice. The partial dependence of the neonatal BUG on androgens for growth is similar to that seen in the prostate, which is also derived from the urogenital sinus. In contrast to the prostate, where neonatal castration reduces but does not abolish epithelial morphogenesis, androgen deprivation completely abolished epithelial morphogenesis in the neonatal BUG. (Endocrinology 121: 2153-2160, 1987).

Aging↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lectin histochemistry of the boar bulbourethral glands.

The present study describes, for the first time, the glycosidic content of boar bulbourethral glands using lectin histochemistry. Fourteen horseradish peroxidase- or digoxigenin-labelled lectins with different carbohydrate specificities were used in samples obtained from 3 healthy Landrace boars. The results obtained indicate that endpiece and duct cells synthesize and secrete mainly O-glycoproteins with alpha- and beta-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, beta-D-galactose-beta(1-->3)-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, D-N-acetylglucosamine and neuraminic acid residues. Glycoproteins secreted by bulbourethral glands have a role in the protection and lubrication of the urethra. In addition, they may be also involved in the regulation of the sperm metabolic activity and in the maintenance of the structural integrity of acrosomal and plasma membranes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Androgens lower prostaglandin E2 levels in neonatal mouse bulbourethral gland in in vitro cultures.

The neonatal mouse bulbourethral gland (BUG) in vitro culture model is useful to study hormone-induced genitourinary (GU) tract growth and differentiation. Like the prostate, the BUG is a derivative of the urogenital sinus and may have relevance to understanding growth processes involved in normal and pathological GU tract development. Previous studies have reported androgen-induced elevation of prostaglandin E2 (PgE2) levels in mouse GU tract in vivo. PgE2 has been proposed to mediate neonatal GU tract masculinization. In our studies, tissues were obtained from neonatal male mice and cultured in serum-free Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium-Ham's F-12 Medium (1:1) supplemented with varying concentrations of androgen. PgE2 levels were measured by RIA in the medium, and tissue specimens were cultured for 7 days or less. During this period, androgens induced proliferation and glandular morphogenesis in the BUGs. In the absence of androgen, tissue and medium PgE2 levels increased over 7 days. Significant (P < 0.05) PgE2 increases over day 1 control values were observed from days 5-7 in tissues and on day 7 in media. During this same time period, androgen supplementation decreased PgE2 levels. Significant (P < 0.05) PgE2 decreases from day 1 cultures were observed from days 3-7 in tissues and on day 7 in media. PgE2 was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by androgen compared to control values from days 3-7 in tissues and from days 5-7 in media. On day 7 of culture, PgE2 levels were significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited by androgen in a concentration-dependent fashion in tissues and media. Maximal androgen-induced inhibition of PgE2 levels was 96% and 99% in tissues and media, respectively. Although the addition of indomethacin to control cultures markedly inhibited PgE2 production, BUG morphology was unaffected. In addition, the morphology of androgen-stimulated BUGs does not appear to be affected by the addition of exogenous PgE2. We conclude that although androgens induce development and decrease PgE2 levels, PgE2 does not appear to play a major role in in vitro BUG postnatal growth and morphogenesis. The BUG in vitro culture model may mimic growth and morphogenetic processes occurring in the human GU tract. Further understanding of the role of steroid hormones and PG metabolism may yield additional insight into developmental and proliferative GU tract disorders.

Androgens↗
PubMed2002

Infertility in CFW/R1 mice associated with cystic dilatation of the bulbourethral gland.

A third of male inbred CFW/R1 mice in a breeding colony developed subcutaneous, bilateral, perineal masses determined to be cystic bulbourethral glands. The masses developed in mice between 4 and 15 months of age. After development of these perineal masses, diseased males were unable to produce offspring. Gross examination revealed the masses impinging on the scrotum and displacing the testes into the inguinal canal. The perineal masses were paired, membranous, translucent cysts, 6 to 10 mm3, attached to the bulbocavernosus muscle and connected to the pelvic urethra by way of a non-patent duct. The cysts contained a clear to tan, minimally cellular, viscous fluid with high mucus content, as documented by examination of Wright Giemsa-stained cytologic preparations. Histologic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections revealed cystic tubuloalveolar glands surrounded by striated muscle and lined by a single layer of pyramidal cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells with pale, basophilic, lacy cytoplasm and round, basal, condensed nuclei. These gross and histopathologic findings were consistent with cystic dilatation of the bulbourethral gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

The bulbourethral gland of the rat. Fine structure and histochemistry.

The bulbourethral gland of the rat was studied, using ordinary light microscopy, electron microscopy and histochemistry. It is a lobular gland and, centrally in each lobe, there is a duct, the ampulla, into which the alveoli drain, either directly or via a very short and narrow ductule. In some glands all the alveoli are cyst-like dilated. The alveoli and ampullae are bounded by tall glandular cells with flattened basal nuclei. The cytoplasm is full of secretion granules. There is only one large secretory duct into which all the ampullae open and this leave the gland at one end. In the electron microscope the granules can be seen to be surrounded by a unit membrane, but quite often several granules flow together in a large irregular mess. Some granules have dense corn-like structure, while others are quite light. A non-membrane bounded mass can often be seen in the luminal part of the cells, this projects as a dome in the alveolar lumen. Myoepithelial cells can be seen around the secretory cells. The histochemical investigation showed that the gland cells are in between mucous and seromucous cells. In the main they contain acid mucosubstances, but also some neutral mucosubstances. The acid mucosubstances consist mainly of sulfated acid mucosubstances and a smaller amount of carboxylated acid mucosubstances (sialomucin).

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Histomorphological and immunohistochemical findings in testes, bulbourethral glands and brain of immunologically castrated male piglets.

The aim of this study was the histological and immunohistochemical evaluation and comparison of testicular, bulbourethral and brain tissue in immunized and intact control boars. Fourteen male piglets, aged between 10 and 16 weeks, were vaccinated twice subcutaneously 4 to 5 weeks apart with Improvac, an anti-GnRH vaccine. The pigs were sacrificed 1 to 16 weeks following the second injection. Testicular weight was recorded and various tissue samples were collected and fixed in formalin and Bouin's fixative for histological examination. In addition, 2 boars were immunized five times and slaughtered 60 weeks after the last injection. Histological and immunohistological studies performed on testes and epididymes showed clear signs of atrophy in the immunized animals and a significant reduction in paired testes weight was seen in treated boars. Microscopically, the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules was markedly reduced. Spermatogonia as well as few spermatocytes were visible between the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells were atrophic. None or only few spermatozoa were detected in the epididymis. The bulbourethral glands of immunocastrated pigs were smaller than in control pigs and showed histological evidence of atrophy. Immunohistological detection of LH and FSH in the pituitary gland of treated and control boars showed no quantifiable difference in the amount of these two gonadotropins and no lesions were visible in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. From our findings it can be concluded that the anti-GnRH vaccine Improvac induces severe atrophy of testes and bulbourethral glands in immunized pigs. This effect appears to be reversible, depending on the immune response of each animal and the time elapsed after the last booster injection.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A new model system for studying androgen-induced growth and morphogenesis in vitro: the bulbourethral gland.

An organ culture system was devised for neonatal mouse bulbourethral glands (BUGs) in which androgen-dependent development parallels that in vivo. BUGs from 0-day-old (day of birth) mice were grown on Millipore filters placed on metal grids in petri dishes for 3 or 6 days in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium-Ham's F-12 medium (1:1) containing 10% fetal bovine serum. In medium supplemented with testosterone (T; 10(-7) or 10(-8) M), growth and epithelial morphogenesis of the cultured BUGs were comparable to those of the gland in situ. At lower doses of T (10(-9) -10(-12) M), BUGs showed dose-dependent decreases in the rate of growth and degree of epithelial morphogenesis. BUGs cultured without T contained only 38% as much DNA as those in T-supplemented medium, and epithelial morphogenesis did not occur. Thus, BUG development in vitro was dependent on androgens. The continued, albeit reduced, growth in cultures without T indicates that growth is also partially independent of androgens, but epithelial branching morphogenesis is totally dependent on this hormone. Growth and epithelial morphogenesis were reinitiated in glands that had developed in the absence of T, either in vivo or in vitro, by culturing the BUGs for 3 days in T-containing medium. The growth of BUGs in a serum-free medium with or without T paralleled that in comparable serum-containing cultures in vitro and in normal and castrated animals in situ. Coincubation of BUGs with T and 390 MSD (17 beta-N,N-diisopropylcarbamoyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one), an inhibitor of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, resulted in retarded development, indicating that T must be converted to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to promote normal BUG growth. Additionally, DHT (10(-8) M) alone could substitute for T in promoting BUG development. Thus, DHT must be the proximal androgen for BUG growth. The BUG is an excellent model system for examining androgen-dependent development and should be useful for studying epithelial morphogenesis, growth, and hormonal effects in vitro.

Androgen Antagonists↗