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EXAMINATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS THAT A DIRECT CONTROL SYSTEM EXISTS FOR THE PROSTATE AND SEMINAL VESICLES

Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research, The Heath, Cardiff CF4 4XX, and Department of Anatomy, University College, Cardiff

Species predisposition to various diseases can at times be related to ecological factors such as the immediate environment, the life-style and diet or to inherent biochemical make-up or anatomical configuration. It is, however, as yet unexplained why man and dog appear to be alone in the animal kingdom in their susceptibility to prostatic hypertrophy. The gland appears to be unequivocal in its essential function and is universally androgen-dependent. It is of interest therefore to determine any common factor that discriminates against animals of these two species and leaves all others apparently immune.

The prostate of man and dog, unlike that of the bull, boar, stallion and ram, is compact and the ductus deferentes pass through it to reach the urethra (Text-fig. 1). Prostatic hypertrophy becomes clinically important, however, because the gland completely encircles