[Current aspects on morphology and functions of the prostate].

The human prostate has a dual function in that it produces a number of secretory compounds conditioning the urethral surface for sperm passage and acting on spermatozoa as well as on vesicular coagulation proteins (semen liquefaction). In addition to differentially distributed and regulated steroid hormone receptors in epithelium and stroma, the prostate contains a large number of growth factors and their receptors. An incompletely understood paracrine regulation of growth and differentiation exists between epithelial cells, such as secretory, basal and neuroendocrine cells, as well as the underlying stroma (smooth muscle cells, fibrocytes). The presently available (malignant and non-malignant) prostatic cell lines have a number of disadvantages that render them of limited value in prostate cancer research.