The distribution of zinc in the prostate of rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys determined by electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis.

The distribution of zinc in the prostate of the mature rhesus monkey is described. High levels of zinc were located in the nuclei of epithelial and basal cells in both lobes of the gland, while elevated concentrations of the metal were also found in secretory granules and along lateral cell membranes. A similar zinc distribution pattern was observed in the 2 lobes of the gland, but in general organelles in the cranial region had a higher content of the metal. In whole tissue, however, a 15 times greater zinc content was measured in the caudal lobe. This difference could be explained in terms of the high levels of the metal present in secretory granules and luminal secretion in the caudal lobe. A similar ultrastructural appearance and distribution of zinc was observed in the prostate of the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).