Acid phosphatase activity and fresh tissue weights of accessory sex organs in adult male rats following pituitary transplantation.

The effect of female pituitary transplantation under renal capsule of castrated adult male rats on accessory sex organs was studied either in presence or in absence of testosterone. Acid phosphatase activity in prostate and seminal vesicle was estimated apart from recording the fresh tissue weights of prostate, seminal vesicle, coagulating and preputial glands. Prolactin secreted from grafted pituitary significantly increased the fresh tissue weights of all sex accessories except seminal vesicle. Testosterone treatment in presence of pituitary graft stimulated the acid phosphatase activity of prostate and seminal vesicle. Prolactin in absence of testosterone could not change the enzymatic activity of prostate and seminal vesicle. The results indicate that prolactin can act directly on prostate, coagulating glands and preputial glands. Accessory sex organs also require the presence of androgens as well as prolactin to maintain the functions of sex accessories in adult male rats.