Flutamide as an Androgen Antagonist on Epididymal Function in the Rat*

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Abstract
Whether flutamide (.alpha.-.alpha.-.alpha.-trifluoro-2-methyl-4-nitro-m-propionotoluidide), a nonsteroidal compound, acts as an androgen antagonist at the level of the epididymis was investigated. For comparison, cyproterone acetate was also evaluated under identical experimental conditions. The levels of glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), sialic acid and total phospholipids were used as functional indices of epididymis and, in addition, weights of the accessory sex organs were recorded. Adult male rats castrated and maintained on testosterone propionate therapy (TP:250 .mu.g/rat i.m.) were treated with flutamide (25 mg/kg, orally) or cyproterone acetate (25 mg/kg, s.c.). Castration caused a reduction in the weight and secretory activity of the epididymis which was restored to near normal following TP replacement therapy. GPC level was the most sensitive index of epididymal secretory function. The 2 antiandrogens antagonized the action of TP on all the accessory sex organs. These findings are discussed in relation to a previous study which demonstrated the lack of effect of flutamide on the epididymal function of intact rats.