Local action of the anti-androgen, cyproterone acetate, on a mammalian target organ.

Abstract

A pellet of cyproterone acetate (Cyp A) was implanted inside of 1 seminal vesicle (SV) to test for direct effects of this antiandrogen upon a target organ in a mammal. Castrate male rats were employed which received a standardized stimulation from systemically administered testosterone propionate. Weight of the SV (after removal of fluid and pellet) and weight of contained vesicular fluid were decreased by Cyp A. This was not due to mechanical effects of the implanted pellet since weights of the SV and its vesicular fluid were not reduced by implantation of pellets of cholesterol. The implantation of Cyp A in 1 SV did not produce systemic effects since there was no decrease in weights of the contralateral SV and of the ventral prostate. It was concluded that the antiandrogenic action of Cyp A was exerted directly and locally on a target organ in this mammal and that both structural and secretory responses to androgen were inhibited. (Endocrinology 82: 868, 1968)