Effect of testosterone propionate on the ultrastructure of the preputial gland in the rat.

Testosterone propionate accelerates the maturation of acinar cells in the preputial gland of female rats. The weight of the preputial gland was increased significantly and the gland contained a large amount of secretory material. Various stages of maturation of acinar cells were observed. In an early stage, cells contained predominantly rough endoplasmic reticulum. In a second stage, lipid accumulated in association with focal areas of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Membrane-bound dense bodies similar to lysosomes and secondary lysosomes predominated in a late stage. In the final stage, acini fused with a duct, thereby liberating the cells into the ductal lumen. Cell structure then became unrecognizable.