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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Identification, Histological Characterization, and Dissection of Mouse Prostate Lobes for In Vitro 3D Spheroid Culture Models
Published on: September 18, 2018
Lobe identity in the Mongolian gerbil prostatic complex: a new rodent model for prostate study
Sabrina Santos Rochel1, Alexandre Bruni-Cardoso, Sebastião Roberto Taboga
1São Paulo State University, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, IBILCE/UNESP, Department of Biology and Animal Biology Graduate Program, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
The Mongolian gerbil prostate has distinct lobes, with the dorsolateral lobe being most prominent. This study details gerbil prostate morphology, identifying unique features for each lobe and suggesting its utility in research.
Area of Science:
- Comparative anatomy
- Reproductive biology
- Histology and ultrastructure
Background:
- Prostatic lobe (PL) structural and physiological differences are crucial for rodent research.
- Mongolian gerbil prostate research is limited, focusing mainly on the ventral lobe (VL).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive morphological description of the male adult gerbil prostatic complex.
- To analyze topographic, histological, ultrastructural features, and ductal branching of gerbil prostatic lobes.
- To highlight lobe-specific characteristics for potential functional implications.
Main Methods:
- Topographic, histological, and ultrastructural analyses.
- Collagenase digestion and microdissection for ductal branching.
- Morphometric and stereological methods for confirmation.
Main Results:
- Four pairs of prostatic lobes (PL) observed, with the dorsolateral lobe (DLL) being most prominent and the ventral lobe (VL) least voluminous.
- A dorsal lobe (DL), previously unreported in gerbils, was identified.
- Each PL exhibits distinct histological and ultrastructural features, including secretory epithelium and variable ductal branching.
- Merocrine and apocrine secretion pathways were observed, with lobe-specific predominance.
Conclusions:
- The gerbil prostate exhibits distinct structural identities for each lobe, suggesting specialized functions in seminal fluid secretion.
- The gerbil is a valuable model for studying prostate development and homeostasis, particularly the dorsal and dorsolateral lobes.
