Variaciones morfométricas de la próstata de Chinchilla laniger (MOLINA, 1982) y de la concentración de testosterona plasmática durante un ciclo reproductivo anual

Abstract

The prostate of adult individuals of the species Chinchilla laniger (MOLINA, 1982) kept in captivity was studied during a one year period, in order to detect possible seasonal variations in its glandular and corporal weight, organosomatic index (OSI), wall thickness and glandular epithelium height, and in plasmatic testosterone concentration. In addition, a histochemical analysis was performed with PAS and diastase-PAS and Blue of Alcian pH 1 and pH 2.5. A periphery Zone A and a central Zone B are described. In both zones the epithelial cells always gave negative results to Blue of Alcian. The presence of neutral glicoproteins was detected in Zone A, with high PAS (+++) reaction between October and April and slight to moderate (+/++) between May and September, and absence of glycogen in all cases. The B zone gave always negative PAS. The maximum morphometric values were recorded between May and July, while the minimum values were recorded in November and February, showing significant seasonal differences (p 0.05), excepting of corporal weight, which did not show variations during the one year period. The concentration of plasmatic testosterone showed minimum values in January, February and June, and maximum values in April, May, July, and August. © 2006 Sociedad Chilena de Anatom.