Ultrastructural studies on the effect of testosterone, 5 α-dihydrotestosterone, and 5 α-androstane-3 α, 17 α-diol on the canine prostate cultured in vitro

Abstract

Organ culture of canine prostate was performed with testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone and 5α-androstane-3α, 17α-diol in a defined medium (199) in concentrations of 10−7 to 10−3 M. Addition of 5α-androstane-3α, 17α-diol to the medium was found to maintain the epithelial cells in their functional polarity and secretory processes. In the presence of testosterone or 5α-dihydrostestosterone degenerative changes took place progressively up to a period of 5 days. Failure to maintain the cells was accompanied by interference with the secretory processes within the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Prolonged culture with 5α-androstane-3α, 17α-diol produced stimulation of basal cell growth with consequent hyperplasia. The observations confirm biochemical evidence that 5α-androstane-3α, 17α-diol is the principal active androgen in the dog prostate.