Urethral Epithelial Cells Research Articles

Localization of acid phosphatase activity in testosterone-treated prostatic urethra of human fetuses.

Androgens accelerated differentiation of human fetal urethral epithelial cells into secretory prostatic cells in organ culture. These epithelial cells contained supranuclear Golgi complexes in which acid phosphatase enzyme activity could be demonstrated by an electron microscopic histochemical technique. Most of the acid phosphatase activity was localized in lysosomes. Some apical precipitates could also be seen. This apical activity might be in secretory granules. Also, mesenchymal cells contained this enzyme.

Examination of human semen infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum by fluorescence microscopy.

Semen specimens from men complaining of involuntary infertility were cultured for Ureaplasma urealyticum and large-colony mycoplasmas. Samples positive for ureaplasmas (but negative for large-colony mycoplasmas) were washed and stained with a DNA-binding fluorochrome (Hoechst No. 33258) and examined by fluorescence microscopy. DNA-containing particles of a size consistent with ureaplasmas were found adherent to the heads and tails of spermatozoa as well as to exfoliated urethral epithelial cells when present. The number of spermatozoa with adherent particles varied widely in different clinical samples, ranging from less than 1% to 20%. In a preliminary study of the possible use of this technique as an aid in diagnosing genital ureaplasma infection, we were able to correctly identify 13 of 15 positive samples prior to culture.

Urethral chromaffin cells

The urethral mucosa of the rat, rabbit and guinea-pig was examined with both fluorescence and electron microscopy. Employing the former technique, numerous brightly fluorescing flask-shaped cells were observed amongst the basal cells of the urethral epithelium in all three species. In the electron microscope cells with a similar shape and distribution are distinguished by their content of membrane-limited dense granules, extensive Golgi membranes and bundles of filaments. In favourable planes of section short microvilli extend from the apical region of these cells which are joined to neighbouring urethral epithelial cells by zonulae occludentes. These fluorescent, granule-containing cells are classified as urethral chromaffin cells.