The Effect of Retinoic Acid on Seminal Vesicle Epithelial Cell

Purpose: The seminal vesicles are androgen dependent exocrine glands producing protein-rich secretion. The retinoic acid has been implicated as a signaling molecule for the seminal vesicle development. In the present study, the effect of retinoic acid on seminal vesicle epithelial cell of neonatal mouse was investigated. Materials and Methods: Newborn male N-MRI mice were injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg all-trans retinoic acid was dissolved in 2.5% DMSO on the day of birth. Animals were sacrificd at 60 days of age and the seminal vesicles were removed. The epithelial cell's morphology including the ultrastructure were assessed by electronic microscope. For electronic microscopic studies, small peices of seminal vesicle were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxid, dehydrated and embedded in araldite. Ultrathin sections were prepared and strained in staind with uranyl acetate and lead citrat, then were examined under TEM. Results: The results, showed that statically significant difference in the seminal vesicle weight than the control group. The height of the epithelial cells in experimental group were increased. The ultrastructure changes such as increase in the number and size of apical secretory vesicles, abundance of rough endoplasmic reticalum and an increase in the size of golgi complex were observed. Conclusion: The retionic acid adminstration in newborns may stimulates the mouse seminal vesicle epithelial cell differentiation.