The organ culture of hunan epididymal tubules and their response to androgens.
Human epididymal tubules from 9 patients undergoing orchidectomy were cultured for periods of up to 8 days with preservation of the histological structure of the tissue. Addition of androgens (testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol) significantly increased the epithelial height, the incorporation of [3H]amino acids and [3H]thymidine. The effect on protein synthesis was significant 48 h after the onset of treatment and was maximal after 3 days. The effect on DNA replication was maximal during the 3rd day of treatment. In both instances maximal activity was achieved at a concentration of 10(-7) M of testosterone. Cyproterone acetate (10(-5) M) was able to negate all effects of androgens.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000494:pharmacology; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000494:pharmacology; D003534:Cyproterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D000728:Androgens; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D013739:Testosterone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D003534:Cyproterone; D013936:Thymidine