Age-Related Involution of the Human Bulbourethral Glands and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The aim of research was to study age-related changes of the human bulbourethral glands and features of their course in the benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Material and methods. The study included bulbourethral glands of 44 men aged 17–90. Patients in the second period of maturity with and without benign prostatic hyperplasia composed a separate group; their cases were analyzed separately. Geometric and optical parameters allowing evaluating age-related changes in the bulbourethral glands and distinguishing their characteristics in the benign  prostatic hyperplasia were measured using sections stained by the Mallory’s method and PAS-reaction.

Results. A decrease in height of glandulocytes, section area of the secretory units, and in total share of parenchyma was observed in the bulbourethral glands from adolescence to senile. The optical density of the glandulocyte cytoplasm was maximal in young men and significantly reduced in the first period of adulthood. In the second period of adulthood and elderly age, changes in this parameter were minor. In the senile period, the optical density of the glandulocyte cytoplasm was minimal in all compared age groups. Presence of PAS-positive material in glandular cells indicates the preservation of the ability to secretion in old age. In men of the second period of maturity with benign prostatic hyperplasia, all morphometric parameters of the bulbourethral gland parenchyma were higher than those in cases without nodal changes in the prostate. At the same time, the optical density of PAS-positive material in the glandulocyte cytoplasm exceeded twice similar values for men without this pathology.

Conclusion. Adolescence is a period of maximal activity of the bulbourethral glands. Involutive  parenchyma changes occurring from the first period of adulthood up to and including the elderly age were compensated by secretory cell activity sufficient to provide the necessary level of the bulbourethral  gland functioning. In old age, the bulbourethral glands retained the ability to secrete. In men of the second period of maturity with benign prostatic hyperplasia, functional activity increased compared to individuals without this pathology.

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