THE RESPONSE OF THE RAT TESTIS TO PROLONGED ADMINISTRATION OF AN ANDROGEN ANTAGONIST (CYPROTERONE)

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Abstract
The response of the generative and interstitial parts of rat testes to prolonged injection of 1,2α-methylene-6-chloro-pregna-4,6-dien-17α-ol-3,20-dione (cyproterone) was investigated. Cyproterone was injected in 10 mg daily doses. The response of the gonads in the course of the experiment was assessed on the basis of their morphological picture and histochemical reactions. Injections of cyproterone brought about the involution of seminiferous tubules as well as hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the interstitial gland, with morphological and histochemical signs of increased secretion of androgens. Prolonged treatment with injection of anti-androgen (44 and 56 days) is, however, followed by the restoration of spermatogenesis and a partial reduction of the interstitial gland. The authors interpret this phenomenon as the result of the suppression of the cyproterone-induced competitive inhibition of the action of androgens on their central and peripheral receptors. One explanation may be the high level of endogenous androgens produced by the hypertrophied interstitial gland.

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