Distinct ageing- and androgen-dependent effects on cGMP signalling proteins in three male rat urogenital organs (bladder, prostate, epididymis)

Abstract

Background Aging of the male reproductive system leads to changes in endocrine signalling and is frequently associated with the emergence of bothersome conditions owing to prostate hyperplasia and bladder dysfunctions. Recent findings suggest that urogenital organs are promising targets for therapeutic interventions with inhibitors of the cGMPdegrading phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) [1]. However, the cGMP signalling system in these tissues and possible agerelated alterations are only partially characterized. This study investigated key proteins of cGMP pathways in bladder, prostate and epididymis of young (3 months) and old (23-24 months) Wistar rats. To address androgen-dependent effects, we (i) used an experimental model, where injection of ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) into adult rats evokes a temporary elimination of the testosterone-producing Leydig cells [2] and (ii) examined effects induced by castration and testosterone supplementation.