Changes in the number and volume of NPY and VIP neurons from periprostatic accessory vegetative ganglia in pre- and peripubertal rats. A stereological study.

The amount of neurons of periprostatic accessory ganglia in pre- and peripubertal rats was studied to ascertain whether the development of these autonomic ganglia is androgen-dependent. Stereological estimates of the volumes and number of neurons immunoreactive to protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were carried out. Immunostaining of androgen receptors (AR) in the ganglia was also performed. The ganglionic neurons from the two groups studied were immunoreactive to PGP 9.5, NPY, and VIP. Almost all the neurons were immunostained for AR. The ganglionic volume showed a significant increase in peripubertal prostate in comparison with the prepubertal gland. No significant changes were observed with respect to the absolute number of neurons immunoreactive to all the antigens. The neuronal volume was significantly increased in peripubertal rats in comparison with prepubertal animals. These findings led us to the following conclusions: There is no evidence of neurogenesis during pubertal development in the periprostatic accessory ganglia of the rat. The increase of ganglionic volume in puberty is due to the growth in neuronal volume. There were no differences between the sizes of NPY and VIP neurons in pubertal periprostatic accessory ganglia. The development of periprostatic vegetative neurons is androgen-dependent.