Mesenchymal proliferation with decidual-like morphology in seminal vesicles of aging mice

Lesions characterized by spindle and epithelioid cells and nuclear progesterone receptors are described in seminal vesicles of four aging mice. The lesions of two mice also contain granular metrial gland (GMG)-like cells. The same cellular details are seen in the uterine decidual reaction and the similar urinary bladder lesion in mice, also called mesenchymal tumor. Therefore, it is hypothesized that these lesions in male accessory sex glands and the urinary bladders of aging male and female mice are of mesenchymal origin with the potential for differentiation along several pathways, leading especially to lesions with decidual-like morphology, but also to lesions which contain only spindle cells. The decidual hypothesis is further supported by the occurrence of round eosinophilic granules and focal necrosis, interpreted as a sign of regression in all these lesion types. The bilateral lesions of a fifth mouse consist of spindle cells and scar-like tissue, the latter suggesting regression, and lack epithelioid and GMG-like cells. In this case, verification of the diagnosis depends on the demonstration of progesterone receptors, absent in normal glands. Uterine decidual reactions during pregnancy are brought about by priming with progesterone/estrogen, initiation through the blastocyst, and maintenance through progesterone. Experiments by others show that priming may also occur through growth factors/growth hormone, initiation through prostaglandins, and maintenance through testosterone in mice. It is hypothesized that upon such stimulation, certain cells in male accessory sex glands and the urinary bladder, possibly derived from the Muellerian ducts or other subperitoneal tissue, appear to have the potential in mice of developing into spindle and epithelioid cells, including decidual-like cells. All published uterine decidual reactions and lesions with decidual-like morphology in other organs of mice stayed within the peritoneal coverage of their respective organ and did not metastasize despite their "anaplastic", tumor-like appearance. Thus, they should be considered non-neoplastic. It is proposed to name above lesions in male accessory sex glands and urinary bladders "mesenchymal proliferation, decidual type" or "mesenchymal proliferation, spindle-cell type", depending on their cellular characteristics.