Distribution of collagen XII and XIV in the bladder wall of the male rat with outlet obstruction.

PURPOSE: Our previous studies indicate that neonatal estrogenization with diethylstilbestrol (neoDES) of male mice and rats causes partial outlet obstruction. In the present study, type XII and XIV collagens were localized in the bladder to study their role in the development of obstruction.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The bladder sections immunostained with smooth muscle specific a-actin antibody were double labeled either with collagen type XII or type XIV antibodies. The specimens were then analyzed with conventional and confocal fluorescence microscope.

RESULTS

Type XII and XIV collagens were not evenly distributed in the bladder. Further, in neonatally estrogenized rats collagen XIV appeared inside smooth muscle fascicles.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-overlapping distributions of collagen XII and XIV suggest their different roles in the urinary bladder. Penetration of collagen XIV inside smooth muscle fascicles may have a role in the development of DES-induced partial outlet obstruction.