The ultrastructure of the accessory sex organs of the male rat. 9. The effect of an antiandrogenic compound, SKF 22,340.

The coagulating gland and the dorsal lobe of the rat prostate were studied after administration of the antiandrogenic compound SKF 22,340. There was a general involution of the organs, with macroscopic atrophy and a reduced amount of secretory material. Ultrastructurally the cells contained fewer organelles as compared with the controls. There were also loss of cytoplasm and reduction both of cell height and width. Within the dorsal lobe, prominent nuclear and nucleolar changes were found. The alterations observed in the present study are similar to changes which were found in animals treated with another antiandrogenic compound, cyproterone acetate. The results are discussed in relation to the available biochemical data.