Epithelial Bmp (Bone morphogenetic protein) signaling for bulbourethral gland development: a mouse model for congenital cystic dilation.

The bulbourethral gland (BUG) is a male-specific organ, which secretes part of the semen fluid. As the BUG is located in the deep pelvic floor, its developmental process is still unclear. Bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling plays pivotal roles in various organs. However, the function of Bmp signaling for BUG development is still unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of Bmp signaling in the development of the BUG. We observed the prominent nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated (p) SMAD1/5/8, the downstream molecules of Bmp signaling, during BUG epithelial development. These results suggest that Bmp signaling contributes to BUG development. Bmp receptor1a (Bmpr1a) is known as the major type 1 signal transducer in some organogeneses. To analyze the Bmp signaling function for BUG development, we examined epithelial cell-specific Bmpr1a gene conditional mutant mice utilizing the tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase system. We observed cystic dilation and epithelial hyperplasia of the BUG in the Bmpr1a conditional knockout mice. The mutant cystic BUG specimens also showed inflammatory lesions. These BUG abnormalities resembled some of the BUG malformations observed in human congenital syndromes. The current study suggests that Bmp signaling possesses an essential role in BUG development and homeostasis. This would be the first report showing that the mutation of the Bmpr1a gene in the BUG epithelia phenocopied some abnormalities of human congenital syndromes affecting the BUG duct.

Cowper's syringocele--a rare malformation of the male urethra. Erlangen experience in two example cases.

Cowper's syringocele is a cystic dilation of the male urethra which should be surgically treated when symptomatic. Two cases of syringocele, 1 adult and 1 juvenile, with obstructive micturition and microhematuria are reported. Both patients were treated using the transurethral surgical technique. The results are discussed with reference to the relevant literature.

A study of the relationship between syringoceles and Cobb's collar.

OBJECT: To assess the association between the congenital narrowing of the bulbar urethra and syringoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven boys were investigated, 10 with a cystogram and 9 with video endoscopy. The video tapes were reviewed with the radiology and the relationship between the syringocele and the narrowing of the bulbar urethra (Cobb's collar) was particularly noted. RESULTS: Seven of the 9 boys examined endoscopically were found to have a Cobb's collar near the proximal extent of the syringocele; the proximal extent of external sphincter appeared to be above and separate from the syringocele in all cases. Six of 10 patients had a syringocele and bulbar urethral narrowing seen at cystogram. CONCLUSIONS: It would appear that syringoceles are often associated with a Cobb's collar, in keeping with the possible origin of both structures from the region of the urogenital membrane. The narrowing in the bulbar urethra may, however, be an incidental finding in many of the cases.

Syringocele, a rare lesion of Cowper's gland.

Syringocele are retentioncysts of Cowper's glands. First described by Fenwick, Maizels rediscovered them and made a very usefull classification. These cysts are more common than previously reported. They can be very obstructive for the urinary flow or cause no symptoms at all. Most are congenital. In our series we studied 5 patients with syringoceles. Treatment consisted in broad endoscopic unroofing. The results with this type of surgery are good. Follow-up showed all the patients to void well and to be free of other irritative symptoms.

Pathological findings in the bulbourethral glands of bulls.

The bulbourethral glands of 323 Bos indicus or B. indicus crossbred bulls more than 1 1/2 years old were examined in an abattoir study. Bulbourethral adenitis was diagnosed grossly and confirmed by histological examination in 4 (1.2%). Unilateral chronic interstitial inflammation was seen in 2 cases; one of these was associated with a degenerative-type seminal vesiculitis. In the others adenitis was bilateral; in one case it was associated with a concretion and foreign (plant) material in the principal duct of the left bulbourethral gland; in the other bilateral case, numerous calculi were present and microscopically, a chronic active and diffuse inflammation was observed. Chemical analysis of the calculi showed calcium oxalate and tricalcium phosphate to be the most important components. Corynebacterium spp was isolated from the lesion with multiple calculi but attempts to isolate Chlamydia spp, Mycoplasma spp and Brucella abortus from the 4 adenitis cases were unsuccessful. Congenital abnormalities such as glandular fusion (2.2%) or unilateral aplasia (0.6%) were also observed. Cysts were the most common finding (19.2%), and duct dilation was frequent (7.1%). The significance of these findings in relation to fertility is considered.