Morphology and histochemistry of the ferret prostate

The gross anatomy, histology and histochemistry of the ferret prostate is described. The structure and course of the prostatic urethra and the ductus deferentes are also described. The prostate is the only accessory reproductive gland present in the ferret. The prostate consists of tubuloalveolar glands surrounded by fibromuscular connective tissue. Histochemical studies showed that the glandular parenchyma contained large amounts of sialidase-labile sialomucin as well as acid phosphatase and small quantities of alkaline phosphatase and proteins. The findings in this study are discussed in relation to similar studies in other animals and man.