A MORPHOMETRIC ULTRASTRUCTURAL-STUDY OF THE SEMINAL-VESICLE OF RATS SUBMITTED TO EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC-ALCOHOLISM

The effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the secretory epithelium o f the seminal vesicle were studied in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Male a dult albino Wistar rats were divided into two groups: alcoholic and co ntrol. Tips of the seminal vesicle were removed and prepared for light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural observations on the epitheli al cells of the seminal vesicle showed reduced epithelial cell size, d ecreased apical secretory vacuoles, irregularly shaped nuclei with dee p infoldings, increased lipid droplets and dense bodies, a small numbe r of microvilli covering the cell surface, and signs of degeneration. In addition to the hormonal effects, alcohol may act on the secretory epithelium of the seminal vesicle.