The effect of exogenous testosterone on total and free prostate specific antigen levels in healthy young men

Abstract

Purpose We evaluated the effect of exogenous testosterone administration on serum total and free prostate specific antigen (PSA) in healthy young men. Materials and Methods Nine volunteers received either 100, 250 or 500 mg. testosterone by intramuscular injection each week for 15 weeks. Blood was drawn every other week for 28 weeks and at week 40. Serum total and free PSA, and total and free testosterone were measured and compared to baseline values. Results Significant elevations in total and free testosterone occurred but no significant change in serum total and free PSA was detected. Conclusions Serum PSA is not responsive to elevated serum testosterone levels in healthy young men. PSA metabolism in the normal prostate is unclear but our findings may have implications for differentiation of pathological conditions of the human prostate.