Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructure of secretory cells of male accessory sex glands of golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) and effect of melatonin. 1989

P H Chow, and S F Pang

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong.

A systematic study of the fine structure of normal (control) and melatonin-treated accessory sex glands (ASG) of the adult male golden hamster has been carried out. Based on the appearance and the predominance of the different organelles, three categories can be identified. They are: (1) the seminal vesicle and ventral prostate, both with prominent Golgi complexes, conspicuous secretory granules and parallel arrays of granular endoplasmic reticulum with narrow cisternae; (2) the coagulating gland and dorsal prostate with cytoplasm dominated by very distended cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum and apical blebbing; (3) the ampullary gland featuring abundance of mitochondria and lipid droplets which discharge their contents by the apocrine mode of secretion. Eight weeks of melatonin injection (50 micrograms/animal), administered at the last phase of the light period, induces structural modification reflecting loss of functional activities or even cell deaths of the ASG secretory cells, thus confirming the suppressive effects of melatonin on reproductive structures of rodents.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008550	Melatonin	A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D008647	Mesocricetus	A genus in the order Rodentia and family Cricetidae. One species, Mesocricetus auratus or golden hamster is widely used in biomedical research.	Hamsters, Golden,Hamsters, Golden Syrian,Hamsters, Syrian,Mesocricetus auratus,Syrian Golden Hamster,Syrian Hamster,Golden Hamster,Golden Hamster, Syrian,Golden Hamsters,Golden Syrian Hamsters,Hamster, Golden,Hamster, Syrian,Hamster, Syrian Golden,Syrian Hamsters
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D011467	Prostate	A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the URINARY BLADDER and the URETHRA. It secretes a substance that liquefies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the PUBIC SYMPHYSIS, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the RECTUM.	Prostates
D005837	Genitalia, Male	The male reproductive organs. They are divided into the external organs (PENIS; SCROTUM; and URETHRA) and the internal organs (TESTIS; EPIDIDYMIS; VAS DEFERENS; SEMINAL VESICLES; EJACULATORY DUCTS; PROSTATE; and BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS).	Accessory Sex Organs, Male,Genital Organs, Male,Sex Organs, Accessory, Male,Genitals, Male,Reproductive System, Male,Genital, Male,Male Genital,Male Genital Organs,Male Genitalia,Male Genitals,Male Reproductive System,Male Reproductive Systems,Reproductive Systems, Male
D006224	Cricetinae	A subfamily in the family MURIDAE, comprising the hamsters. Four of the more common genera are Cricetus, CRICETULUS; MESOCRICETUS; and PHODOPUS.	Cricetus,Hamsters,Hamster
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012669	Seminal Vesicles	A saclike, glandular diverticulum on each ductus deferens in male vertebrates. It is united with the excretory duct and serves for temporary storage of semen. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)	Seminal Vesicle,Vesicle, Seminal,Vesicles, Seminal