Localization of lactoferrin in the male reproductive tract

The immunohistochemical localization of lactoferrin in the normal human prostate, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, epididymis and testis was studied using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method at the light and electron microscopical level. Lactoferrin immunoreactivity was localized in the glandular epithelial cells and granulocytes in the prostate and seminal vesicle. In the prostate, lactoferrin showed an uneven distribution; some of the glands contained exclusively positive cells and others were completely lactoferrin negative, while the rest contained scattered positive cells. The seminal vesicles were divided into three segments, and their lactoferrin content varied significantly although it was always epithelial. The ductus deferens, epididymis and testis contained no lactoferrin. In conclusion, lactoferrin was found in the prostate and seminal vesicles, but not in the testis.