Effect of s-triazine compounds on testosterone metabolism in the rat prostate.

The influence of s-triazine compounds (atrazine, prometryne and deethylatrazine) on testosterone conversion and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone-receptor complex formation was studied in vitro and in vivo in the rat prostate. A marked in vitro influence of atrazine and prometryne (from 0.465 to 1.392 mumol) and their mixtures (in total concentration, 0.928 mumol) on 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone formation was detected. 5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone-specific receptor complex formation was inhibited in vitro by ca. 0.5 mumol of atrazine or deethylatrazine and only in vivo by 6 mg of atrazine 100 g-1 body wt. daily during 7 days in the prostate cytosol. The inhibition of the enzymic activities responsible for testosterone conversion and steroid hormone-receptor complex formation was non-competitive and reversible, and s-triazine compounds act as antiandrogens.