European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 18 - Number 4
Eur J Anat, 18 (4): 317-325 (2014)

Structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analysis of the vesicular gland in the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Adenrele O. Adebayo1, 2, 3, Adebayo K. Akinloye2, Samuel G. Olukole1, Amadi O. Ihunwo3 and Bankole O. Oke1

1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria and 3School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

ABSTRACT This study reports the structure, ultrastructure, morphometry and distribution patterns of the two estrogen receptors in the vesicular glands of the male greater cane rat. Samples of vesicular glands from 15 sexually mature male greater cane rats raised in captivity were routinely processed for histological, ultrastructural and morphometric analysis, while immunohistochemistry was also carried out using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against estrogen receptors.The vesicular gland in the greater cane rat is a paired transparent elongated branched tube that presents a characteristic Y-shaped outline. The tube is made up of three histological layers: mucosa, muscularis and adventitia with the mucosa thrown into branching and anastomosing folds that form cavities and recesses within it. Though the epithelium is lined by principal and scarce basal cells, the principal cells are, however, of two types - light and dense based on their electron density and cytoplasmic characteristics. A prominent ultrastructural feature of the light principal cells is the presence of abundant mitochondria surrounded by well-developed cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum that have dilated edges and small vesicular extensions. The epithelial cells exhibited different patterns of expressions of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). The findings highlight the peculiarities in the structure, ultrastructure and distribution of the estrogen receptors of the vesicular gland of greater cane rat.

Keywords: Vesicular gland, Greater cane rat, Ultrastructure, Estrogen receptors

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)