The fine structure of the camel prostate gland.

Abstract

The prostate glands of 10 mature camels (3-5 years of age) were studied with the transmission electron microscope. Ultrastructural examination of the secretory acini showed 2 types of cells, i.e. tall secretory epithelial cells and basal cells. The cells both were characterised by rounded nuclei. The subnuclear cytoplasm was filled with abundant stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). The RER was occasionally observed to be interconnected with whorls and networks of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). In the supranuclear region, a moderate Golgi complex and a large number of secretory granules of varying sizes and electron density were observed. Lysosomes of various sizes were present in all types of cells. The luminal surfaces of the cells were covered with large number of microvilli. The basal cells were described. The ultrastructural morphology of the secretory units of the camel prostate may help us to determine if the mode of secretion in the camel prostate is apocrine in nature.