Reproductive System, Male

Coagulating Gland - Hyperplasia

Narrative

Comment:

Hyperplasia of the coagulating gland consists of proliferation of the lining epithelium. The cells may pile up (arrows, Figure 1), form short papillary folds, or bulge into the acinar lumen. Hyperplasia shown in Figure 1 is multifocal but mild; in Figure 2 and Figure 3 it is focally extensive, with formation of papillary folds in the acinar lumen. Hyperplasia of the coagulating gland is likely an age-related change. Feminization from prenatal exposure to estrogenic agents, including diethylstilbestrol, has been associated with hyperplastic and metaplastic changes in the coagulating glands of rodents.

Recommendations:

Hyperplasia should be graded and recorded, with qualification as bilateral when both coagulating glands are affected. Severity should be based on the more severely affected gland. Correlations with similar changes that may be present in other accessory sex gland should be mentioned in the pathology narrative.

References:

Arai Y, Suzuki Y, Nishizuka Y. 1977. Hyperplastic and metaplastic lesions in the reproductive tract of male rats induced by neonatal treatment with diethylstilbestrol. Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histol 376:21-28.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/145081

Bosland MC, Tuomari DL, Elwell MR, Shirai T, Ward JM, McConnell RF. 1998. Proliferative lesions of the prostate and other accessory sex glands in male rats, URG-4. In: Guidelines for Toxicologic Pathology. STP/ARP/AFIP, Washington, DC, 1-20.

Pylkkanen L, Santti R, Newbold R, McLachlan JA. 1991. Regional differences in the prostate of the neonatally estrogenized mouse. Prostate 18:117-129.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2006118

Radovsky A, Mitsumori K, Chapin RE. 1999. Male reproductive tract. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 381-407.

Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm

Strauss L, Makela S, Joshi S, Huhtaniemi I, Santti R. 1998. Genistein exerts estrogen-like effects in male mouse reproductive tract. Mol Cell Endocrinol 144:83-93.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9863629

Suwa T, Nyska A, Haseman JK, Mahler JF, Maronpot RR. 2002. Spontaneous lesions in control B6C3F1 mice and recommended sectioning of male accessory sex organs. Toxicol Pathol 30(2):228- 234.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11950166

All Images

Coagulating Gland - Hyperplasia. Arrows indicate bulging of hyperplastic epithelium into the acinar lumen in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.

Coagulating Gland - Hyperplasia. Hyperplasia of the coagulating gland in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.

Coagulating Gland - Hyperplasia. Higher magnification of Figure 2 showing hyperplasia of the coagulating gland in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.

Authors and Reviewers

Authors

Dianne M. Creasy, PhD, Dip RCPath, FRCPath
Dianne Creasy Consulting LLC
Pipersville, PA

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Dipak K. Giri, DVM, PHD, DACVP
Toxicologic Pathologist
Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Mark F. Cesta, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Staff Scientist, NTP Pathologist
Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch
Division of the National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC

David E. Malarkey DVM, PhD, DACVP, FIATP
Head, National Toxicology Program Pathology Group
Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch
Division of the National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC