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To determine the role of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-3-one) in formation of the embryonic prostate, we quantitated prostatic development in urogenital tracts of control male newborn and offspring of rats treated with a specific 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (L652,931; Merck, Sharp, and Dohme) during prostate morphogenesis. Treatment with the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (50 mg/kg.day) from days 14-22 of gestation impaired development of the prostate and virilization of the external genitalia in male offspring compared to those in control animals. However, virilization of the internal genitalia (seminal vesicles, epididymis) was unaffected. Simultaneous administration of DHT (50 mg/kg.day) with the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor restored prostate development and anogenital distances of males to normal and virilized the external genitalia of females. We conclude that DHT is the active androgen responsible for prostatic development in the rat.
F W George, and
K G Peterson
September 1973,
Investigative urology,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
June 1971,
Acta endocrinologica,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
December 1970,
Endocrinologia japonica,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
January 1991,
Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
December 1975,
Endocrinology,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
February 1972,
Endocrinologia japonica,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
May 1979,
The Journal of endocrinology,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
December 1999,
Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
May 1988,
Journal of steroid biochemistry,
F W George, and
K G Peterson
January 1975,
Biochemical Society transactions,
