The effect of oestradiol-17 beta on connective tissue protein in rat prostate.

The concentrations of collagen, non-collagenous protein and elastin in ventral and dorsolateral prostates in oestradiol-17 beta-treated rats were higher than in vehicle-treated rats. The in vivo incorporation rates of 3H-proline into these connective tissue proteins in ventral and dorsolateral prostates were reduced following oestradiol-17 beta-treatment. The degradation rate of 3H-proline incorporated into each connective tissue protein was lowest in oestradiol-17 beta-treated animals. These findings indicate that the accumulation of collagen, non-collagenous protein and elastin in prostates of oestradiol-17 beta-treated rats can be largely accounted for by the suppressed degradation of biosynthesis of these connective tissue proteins.