Morphologic description of male reproductive accessory glands in a mouse model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I).

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a genetic disease caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase α-L-iduronidase (IDUA). IDUA degrades two types of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): heparan and dermatan sulfates, important components of extracellular matrix, with signaling and structural functions. The accumulation of GAGs results in progressive physiological impairments in a variety of tissues, making MPS I a complex and multisystemic disease. Due the advent of therapeutic strategies which have increased patients' life expectancy, our group have been investigating the effect of IDUA deficiency on the reproductive system. In the present study, we aimed to characterize some of the accessory glands of the male reproductive tract in an MPS I mouse model. We used 6-month-old Idua+/+ and Idua-/- male mice to evaluate the histology of the seminal vesicles and prostate. Interstitial deposits of GAGs and collagen fibers were also observed. Seminal vesicles were smaller in the Idua-/- group, regardless of the normal staining pattern of the epithelial cells, marked with antiandrogen receptor. The prostate of Idua-/- mice presented necrotic acini and increased deposition of collagen fibers in the interstitium. All glands presented evident deposits of GAGs in the extracellular matrix, especially inside vacuolated interstitial cells. We concluded that, at this stage of the disease, the prostate is the most damaged accessory gland and may therefore, be the first to manifest functional impairments during disease progression.