[The volume of the seminal vesicles in general senior population]

The volume of the seminal vesicles in 413 males, who were submitted to a mass screening program for prostatic diseases by transrectal sonography, was measured by tracing ultrasonograms using a multi-planimeter. Ages of the subjects ranged from 46 to 88 years (mean age 67.0 years). The mean volume of the seminal vesicles for all cases was 14.55 +/- 5.11 cm3. The volume of the seminal vesicles was not related statistically to the height, body weight and body mass index of the subject. The volume of the seminal vesicles in cases of no prostatic diseases decreased with age, while that of cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy increased with the progress of the disease. These facts suggested that the seminal vesicles were androgen dependent, similar to the prostate.