Endocrinologic Studies on the Prostate Gland in the Male Rabbit I. The Response of Intraocular Prostatic Implants to Testosterone Propionate and to Castration in Completely Prostatectomized Animals

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Abstract
The authors studied the response of intraocular prostatic implants to testosterone propionate and to castration in completely prostatectomized [male] rabbits. Prostatectomy was performed upon rabbits weighing between 2.3 and 3 kg. and was followed immediately by intraocular implantation of prostatic tissue. Adm. of 0.1 mg or 0.5 mg of testosterone propionate per kg intramusc. into [male] rabbits produced a marked increase in area of prostatic implant, which reached a peak approx. 2 wks. after injs. began. This rise in area was followed by a regression which continued even though hormone adm. was continued in even increased dosage. In contrast, adm. of testosterone propionate in the same dosages into castrated, completely prostatectomized animals produced a continuous increase in area of prostatic implant for at least a period of 3 months without regression during this time. The difference in response of prostatic implants to [male] hormones in intact animals, and in castrate animals suggests that the testis may produce a substance which inhibits the action [male] of the hormone on the prostatic tissue or which may indirectly affect the response of prostatic tissue to this particular hormone.