Effect of spermatocele fluid on growth of human prostatic cells in culture

The present study was carried out to investigate whether testicular fluid derived from a spermatocele contains substance(s) that promote the growth of human prostatic cells in culture. Human spermatocele fluid was centrifuged to sediment spermatozoa. The supernatant was then added to cultures of human prostatic stromal or epithelial cells that were isolated from surgical specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Addition of spermatocele fluid in quantities of 1 microgram/ml of protein resulted in a significant increase in the number of both prostatic stromal and epithelial cells at the end of a 6-day culture period. Human serum at equivalent protein concentrations in the culture medium had no stimulatory effect. At least two separate growth-promoting factors were found in spermatocele fluid, one for stromal cells and one for epithelial cells. The mitogen for stromal cells was heat labile and persisted after treatment with activated charcoal. The factor for epithelial cells was heat stable but was removed by charcoal treatment. These observations are consistent with the concept that the human testis secretes nonandrogenic substances that can promote prostatic growth.