Histological study of the prostate gland in Egyptian fruit bat (Rossetus aegyptiacus)

Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) is the only species belongs to megachiroptera in Iran, and and their reproduction has not been studied yet in Iran. Due to ecological and economic importance and for conservation and to more identify them, the tissue of prostate gland was studied in this research. For this purpose, six megabats were captured by mist net from Sangtrashan cave (Jahrom - Fars) in spring, summer and fall, and transferred to the laboratory. After anesthesia and dissection of them, prostate gland were removed and weighed. Then they were fixed in formalin10% and by automated tissue processor and sections were prepared (fixation, dehydration, clearing and embedding). The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and mounted by light microscope and micrographs were taken with digital camera. Obtained the micrographs showed that pyramid-shape prostate gland was small and milky, with numerous tubules. There were irregular secretory glands with jelly secretion (clear) and solid exudates which were located in bladder neck. Internal epithelial layer of this gland consists of cuboidal to columnar cells which covered the internal surface of the alveoli. They were secretory in all of sampling times. According to above results, It is expected that this species will be sexually active throughout the year.