Protein electrophoretic patterns of canine prostatic fluid. Effect of hormonal manipulation.

The effects of castration and estrogen administration on prostatic fluid proteins were compared in two groups of dogs. Prostatic fistulae were created in 10 animals and prostatic fluid secretions stimulated by electroejaculation. After a stabilization period, five animals were administered polyestradiol phosphate and the remaining five were castrated. After 3 months estrogen administration was discontinued and depo-testosterone was administered to the castrate animals. Fluids were collected at weekly intervals throughout the study and prostatic fluid proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No difference between animal receiving estrogen and castrated animals was noted and administration of testosterone to castrate animals reestablished a normal protein pattern.