Immunohistochemical evaluation of estrogen receptor beta expression in calf prostates with squamous metaplasia.

Prostates from regularly slaughtered calves aged 7/8 months were examined by immunohistochemical technique using anti-ERbeta polyclonal antibody. The same specimens had been previously subjected to histological and immunohistochemical screening using anti-cytokeratin 13, 15 and 16 antibodies to verify the presence of hyperplastic/metaplastic changes. Nuclear and/or cytoplasmic ERbeta expression confined only to the glandular epithelium was observed. The expression/diffusion was inversely proportional to the detection/extent of hyperplastic/metaplastic changes. No specific immunostaining in ductal epithelium and stroma of urethral mucosa was detected in any specimen. On the basis of preliminary results, the authors suggest that an investigation about ERbeta expression is needed to trace the role of both ERs in the onset of lesions and to set up an immunohistochemical test applicable at slaughterhouse for detecting treatments with anabolic substances.