MAPPING OF ANDROGEN, ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS IN THE ANAL CONTINENCE ORGAN

Objective: To investigate the expression of androgen, estrogen and pro gesterone receptors (ARs, ERs, PRs) in the tissues of the anal contine nce organ using immunohistochemical techniques. Study design: Thirty-n ine samples of anorectal tissue were obtained from 23 patients (seven men, seven premenopausal women and nine postmenopausal women). Immunos taining for ARs, ERs and PRs was performed by the ABC technique using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride as the chromogen. Results: Sp ecific immunostaining for ARs, ERs and PRs was found exclusively over cell nuclei. ARs were found in the smooth muscle cells of the internal anal sphincter in all but one of the females (10/11) and all males (7 /7), ERs were found in 12/12 females and 4/7 males, and PRs were found in 4/10 females and 1/7 males. The squamous epithelium exhibited a si milar pattern of immunostaining. The nuclei of the striated muscle fib ers expressed none of the sex steroid receptors investigated. Conclusi on: The intense expression of ARs, ERs and, in some cases, PRs in the tissues of the anal continence organ at all ages and in both sexes ind icates that this organ is a tar et for sex steroid hormones. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.