[Possibilities of the quantitative structural analysis of prostate biopsies]

Stereological methods allow the determination of volumes, surfaces or number of tissue and/or cell compartments. The quantitative data on human biopsy specimens of the prostate suggest a diminution of the secretory activity of the glandular cells, while the smooth muscle cells are activated: the relative volumes of the Golgi areas and the rough endoplasmic reticulum are increased. Stereology will be a valuable tool for objective search on hormonal dependence of the glandular as well as the smooth muscular cells. Therein, the role of the smooth muscle cells in benigh prostatic hyperplasia should be focused.