CYTOCHEMICAL STUIDIES OF KERATIN FORMATION AND OF EPITHELIAL METAPLASIA IN THE RODENT VAGINA AND PROSTATE

Abstract

Quantitative and qualitative cytochemical studies were made of keratinized epithelia from the estrogen-stimulated vagina and metaplastic prostatic lesions of the mouse, and from the estrogen-stimulated and avitaminotic-A vagina of the rat. Karyometric and general cytochemical observations indicate a certain minimal testoid stimulation of the anterior prostate in the castrate mouse. Nuclear changes during keratinization represent a degenerative process different from that seen in pycnosis. In keratinizing epithelia the nuclei first swell and then shrink, and both of these changes are accompanied by loss of DNA and protein from the nuclei. Metaplastic epithelium in prostatic lesions developing as a result of estrogen treatment can be distinguished from the original epithelium not only by its alkaline phosphatase activity, but also by its increased cytoplasmic RNA and protein accumulations. Definite histologic and cytochemical differences exist in the rat between the keratinized vagina seen in vitamin A deficiency and that seen after estrogen administration. In addition to such features as the presence of longitudinal epithelial folds and of leukocytic infiltration in the former, the estrogen-stimulated epithelium shows intense alkaline phosphatase activity and distinctive distribution of RNA, protein, and protein-bound SH groups. These differences are possibly explicable on the basis of a greater rate of proliferation of the estrogen-treated epithelium.