Effects of epidermal growth factor and androgen influences on accessory sex glands in prepubertal Swiss-Webster mice.
The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on androgen stimulation of accessory sex gland growth and biochemistry were determined for prepubertal male Swiss-Webster mice. For the seminal vesicle and anterior prostate, 5 alpha dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha DHT) treatment significantly increased the quantitative levels of organ wet weight, DNA content, polyamine content, and stereologically determined epithelium and lumen volumes above the control group. EGF treatment alone slightly enhanced the levels of most measured parameters from control values. However, when a combined EGF&5 alpha DHT treatment was compared with 5 alpha DHT treatment alone, the 5 alpha DHT treatment effects on epithelial and lumen volumes and polyamine content were antagonized by the action of EGF.
Department of Biology, Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801.
B L
BL
Lehman
R
R
Smith
K D
KD
Leichty
C L
CL
Kauffman
R J
RJ
Miller
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA