Canine benign prostatic hyperplasia was reported to be due to excessive or prolonged androgenic stimulation. To test this hypothesis, aged dogs with prostatic hyperplasia were either injected im with the anti-androgen, SH 714 (cyproterone acetate), or were orchiectomized. In addition, aged dogs with “normal” prostates were injected im with testosterone propionate. Six weeks following orchiectomy or treatment with SH 714, a reduction in prostatic size occurred. Microscopic examination revealed a marked diminution in the diameters of the glands, epithelial cell heights and a loss in the acid phosphatase content. The ratio of fibromuscular stroma was altered (i.e., fibrous tissue elements increased relative to smooth muscle). Conversely, increases in both epithelial cell height and diameters of glands were observed following injection of testosterone propionate. The acid phosphatase content increased to comparable levels seen in the hyperplastic prostate. Plasma 11-hydroxycorticoid levels were reduced after testosterone propionate treatment but were not altered after orchiectomy or SH 714 administration. These observations lend support to the concept that canine prostatic hyperplasia arises from prolonged or excessive androgenic stimulation. (Endocrinology82: 311, 1968)
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Neri et al. (1968) studied this question.