Abstract: Abstract: Objective To observe the expression of α1-adrenoceptor in the interstitial cells of Cajal in guinea pig pros⁃ tate, and explore it , s possible physiological function. Methods The guinea pig prostate slices and cells were cultured. c-Kit was used to distinguish ICCs， and α-actin was used to label smooth muscle cells. c-kit and α-actin were respectively dou⁃ ble- labeld with α1-adrenoceptor immuno histochemistry. Results Immunohistochemistry showed that c-kit and α1-adre⁃ noceptor were coexpressed in ICCs of c-kit positive guinea pig prostate slices. And α1-adrenoceptor was expressed in α-ac⁃ tin positive smooth muscle cells. The α1-adrenoceptor was more highly expressed in ICCs than that around smooth muscle cells in guinea pig prostate slices. Conclusion The ICCs that express α1-adrenoceptor are the target cells of sympathetic nerve and might play an important role in adjusting the activity of smooth muscle cells in guinea pig prostate.

Key words: interstitial cells of Cajal, α1-adrenoceptor;, sympathetic nerve, prostate, guinea pig