Ethinylestradiol exposure and its effects on the ventral prostate gerbils: the role of macrophages in tissue remodeling

Abstract

The prostate is an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and its development occurs under influence of a controlled and precise androgenic and estrogenic control, so that sensitive interference may predispose the gland to develop diseases during adult and senile life. Exposure to synthetic estrogens during periods of embryonic and neonatal development has been related to permanent morphophysiology disorders in various organs of the male reproductive system, including the prostate, which remodels, modifying the organization and the proportion of their cellular constituents and extracellular matrix. One of the cell types that operates in processes of development and remodeling is the macrophage, which has great functional diversity and works in the development, homeostasis, tissue repair and immunity. In general, the macrophages are involved in almost all disease and are attractive therapeutic targets because their function can be stimulated or inhibited in order to alter the course of a particular disease, besides providing crucial role in regulation of the hypothalamic pituitary axis, and actively act in the homeostasis of the reproductive system. The functions of repair and homeostasis of macrophages can be subverted by chronic insults and result in a causal association of these cells with pathological states. The objective of this study is to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the involvement of macrophages in the prostate tissue remodeling under the effect of ethinyl estradiol in the prostate gerbils during adult and senile stages. For this, morphological, morphometric - stereological and immunocytochemical analyzes will be performed in order to assess whether early exposure to ethinylestradiol may favor the emergence of prostatic lifelong lesions and the role that each cell type may play in establishing these conditions.