Ontogeny of mast cells in the ventral prostate of the rat

The ontogenic evolution of mast cells in the rat ventral prostate was studied using the Grimelius silver impregnation method. The mast cell density was highest during the pubertal period and later, it declined significantly with age. Most mast cells were identified in the fibrovascular stroma in close proximity to nerve fibers and blood vessels. The total number of mast cells seems to be constant when correlated with prostatic weight.