Immunohistochemical localization of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha in the male rat accessory sex organs.

We examined the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) in the prostate (ventral, lateral, dorsal lobes), coagulating gland and seminal vesicle of Fisher 344 adult male rats by immunohistochemical and radioimmunoassay methods. Immunohistochemically demonstrable EGF was localized in the luminal secretion only of the dorsal lobe of the prostate. Reactive TGF alpha was localized in the lateral lobe (100% of epithelial cells), dorsal lobe (about 40% of the epithelial cells) and seminal vesicle (100% of epithelial cells), but not in the coagulating gland or ventral lobe of the prostate. Radioimmunoassay also demonstrated a measurable amount of TGF alpha in the lateral lobe (194 pg./gm. wet weight) and seminal vesicle (74 pg./gm.). Assayable EGF was demonstrated at much higher levels in all prostate lobes (ranging from 1.2 micrograms./gm. wet weight in the ventral lobe to 26.4 micrograms./gm. in the dorsal lobe) and wet weight in the ventral lobe to 26.4 micrograms./gm. in the dorsal lobe) and the seminal vesicle (0.9 micrograms./gm.). This is the first report describing the presence of immunoreactive TGF alpha and EGF in the male accessory sex organs.