Effect of flutamide on the physiological status of epididymis and epididymal sperms

Abstract
Summary. Flutamide, a pure antiandrogen, increases the levels of plasma luteinizing hormone but antagonizes the biological expression of androgen on target organs. Flutamide was administered to rats to study the effect of altered availability of hormones on the functional status of epididymis. The weights of ventral prostate, seminal vesicles and epididymis showed antiandrogenic effects of flutamide. However, increased activity of kidney β‐glucuronidase reflected increased availability of testosterone. The concentrations of protein and DNA along with the activities of acid phosphatase and hyaluronidase decreased in flutamide‐treated rats. The activities of acid phosphatase and hyaluronidase in epididymal sperms along with protein concentration increased in flutamide‐treated rats. Alteration of epididymal function by treatments affecting lysosomal stability was indicated.