EFFECTS OF PROSTATECTOMY ON TESTICULAR ANDROGENESIS AND SERUM LEVELS OF GONADOTROPINS IN MATURE ALBINO-RATS

The effects of prostatectomy on testicular steroidogenic enzymes, and on serum levels of gonadotropins, prolactin, and testosterone were studied. Adult male rats were prostatectomized and sacrificed after 14 and 21 days. There was augmentation of both Delta(5)-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Delta(5)-3 beta-HSD) and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) activities in the testes along with increased levels of FSH, prolactin, and testosterone in the serum, while no changes were observed in serum levels of LH. Hence it may be concluded that the prostate gland has an inhibitory effect on testicular androgenesis and can exert some influence in the regulation of FSH and prolactin secretion. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.