EFFECTS OF ANDROGEN AND ESTRADIOL ADMINISTRATION ON WEIGHTS OF VENTRAL PROSTATE, SEMINAL-VESICLES, AND TESTES OF IMMATURE RATS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 14  (5) , 351-355
Abstract
The effects of pharmacologic doses of estradiol on the biologic actions of testosterone and 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone when administered to immature (21-28 days of age) male rats were investigated. The weights of the prostate, seminal vesicles and testes were used as the indicators of androgen effects. Estradiol had no effects on the testosterone- or 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone-induced increases in prostate weight over the 12 days after the androgen injection. Estradiol acted synergistically with testosterone but not 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone on the increases in seminal vesicle weight. Estradiol had no effect, by itself, on the rate of testes growth. Both androgens resulted in a decreased rate of testicular growth and this was not influenced by estradiol.