OBJECTIVETo study the microcirculation changes in the ventral prostates of rats after castration and the role of microcirculation during the apoptosis of prostatic cells.

METHODSThirty-six male adult rats were randomized to 6 groups: one was taken as the control, while the other 5 underwent measurement of the microcirculation in vivo by a D95 physiological signal acquisition system 12 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7 d and 14 d respectively after castration, and then were perfused with Chinese ink to trace the microvessels of the prostates.

RESULTSThe microcirculation of the rats'prostates changed dramatically following castration. The diameter and density of the microvessels, especially in the distant and mediate ducts of the prostates, decreased dramatically, and so did the bloodflow velocity.

CONCLUSIONThe microcirculation plays a role during the process of apoptosis of prostatic cells, and might be the mechanism of " apoptosis shift".