Expression of metallothionein in seminal vesicles - an immunohistochemicalstudy

Objective: The seminal vesicles and prostate share the same blood supply an d exposure to carcinogens. Despite these similarities, fewer than 60 adenoc arcinomas of the seminal vesicles have been described, whereas prostate can cer is the most common cancer in men today. Metallothionein plays a signifi cant role in the detoxification of heavy metals. Thus. this study investiga ted the expression of metallothionein in seminal vesicle tissue. Material a nd Methods. Twenty individual tissue specimens each of normal seminal vesic le tissue and benign prostatic tissue underwent immunohistochemical stainin g with a monoclonal mouse anti-metallothionein antibody. Results: Positive immunostaining fur metallothionein was found in 8 of 20 (40%) of the semina l vesicle tissues. but in 14 of 20 (70%) of the prostate specimens. Seminal vesicle tissue stained only with weak intensity. Conclusion: Metallothione in expression is lower in seminal vesicles than in the prostate. The low ce ll turnover in seminal vesicle tissue may explain the lower staining activi ty of this tissue. These findings suggest that metallothionein expression c annot be regarded as the main reason for the vastly different cancer incide nce in seminal vesicles and the prostate.