[Enzymes of the female prostate during the fertile age and after menopause. Comparative histochemical study].

Using histochemical methods, the authors compared the enzymes in the prostate of 19 women of fertile age (15-45 years) and in 9 women after the menopause (53-79 years). In women after the menopause they observed a reduced naphthylesterase activity and also of some other enzymes in the prostatic glands which indicates a possible reduced secretory activity of the prostate in women past reproductive age. Conversely in women after the menopause, with age a marked increase of the activity of lysosomal acid phosphatase in the epithelium of the prostatic ducts was found.