Carcinoembryonic antigen-like substance is a marker of prostatic secretory function.

Specimens of pre- and postpubertal and adult prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles were examined for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen-like immunoreactivity. A positive immunoreaction of the epithelium of the prostate was observed after the onset of puberty and was comparable to that of secretory acid phosphatase. It was absent from the epithelium of the seminal vesicles. The CEA-like substance of the prostate may therefore be used as a marker of prostatic secretory activity.