Effectiveness of selenium in maintaining morphological architecture of prostatic compartments in mongolian gerbil

Abstract

Male prostate is a reproductive gland that is under steroid hormones influence, which is object of several studies related to proliferative lesions that may arise during the aging process. Selenium is a micro-nutrient that has been described as a toxic mineral if administered at high concentrations but can also be beneficial mineral exerting a protective action on various tissues used properly. This mineral can be found in some foods such as Brazil nuts, grains, cereals and some vegetables. Mongolian gerbil prostate have morphophysiological similarities between the human prostate and has been used for comparative studies. This work aims to analyze the morphology and stereology of Mongolian gerbil prostate after selenium supplementation, followed by testosterone injection. Animals were divided into 3 groups (5 per group): GC intact animals; TG testosterone injection (1 mg/kg) for 21 days; TSG, selenium administration and testosterone injection (1 mg/kg) for 21 days. After experimental phase, animals were euthanized and prostate was dissected, fixed in metacarn, embedded, and sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) for morphological and morphometric/stereological analyses. Analyzes showed that prostate epithelium of TG showed points of stratification and higher columnar cells when compared to CG and TSG. Already stereological analysis showed that the volume of epithelium in TG and TSG was higher than in CG. Besides, non-muscular volume of TG stroma showed higher than in TSG and CG. In conclusion, selenium is, in this concentration, an important factor that acts in maintenance of prostate morphology, even under the influence of exogenous testosterone.