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Serotonin-immunoreactive cells of peculiar shape in the urethral epithelium of the human penis

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Summary

The present study deals with endocrine-like cells in the urethra of human penis. A large number of basal-granulated cells immunoreactive for serotonin were dispersed in the urethral epithelium. No cellular elements were stained positively with antisera against bioactive peptides. The serotonin-immunoreactive cells consisted of a small oval perikaryon and slender processes, and resembled neurons in shape. An apical process reached the urethral lumen. The basal processes frequently branched out in a dendritic fashion, some running laterally for a considerable distance. The number of cells immunoreactive for serotonin was remarkably reduced in subjects over 60 years of age.

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Iwanaga, T., Hanyu, S. & Fujita, T. Serotonin-immunoreactive cells of peculiar shape in the urethral epithelium of the human penis. Cell Tissue Res. 249, 51–56 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215417

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215417

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