[Comparison of morphological and biochemical indicators of prostatic growth and function in castrated rats receiving separately and simultaneously 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol].

Experiments in vito showed that indicators of prostatic growth (organ mass, protein content, DNA) and function (acid phosphatase activity) of castrated rats regenerated under the influence of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The morphological structure of this organ showed a pronounced activation of the glandular epithelium proliferation by this metabolite without a significant effect on the connective tissue. The other testosterone metabolite 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta, 17 beta-diol did not influence biochemical indicators but according to the morphological data it stimulated the secretory activity of the glandular epithelium and connective tissue formation. As a result of a combined effect of the metabolites the influence of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone on the proliferative processes in the prostate was limited, and the response of the connective tissue to 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta, 17 beta-diol preserved. The results obtained were not in accord with a hypothesis that 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone is the only physiologically active testosterone metabolite in the rat pancreas, and confirmed the idea of androgen functional interrelationship.