Effects of Colprone on in vitro release of androgens from the reproductive organs of the male rat.
Effects of medrogestone (6,17 alpha-dimethyl-4-,6-pregnadiene-3, 20-dione; Colprone) on the release of testosterone (T) and 5 alpha-dehydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) in the reproductive organs of the male rat were tested in vitro. The minced testes released twice as much T into the medium when incubated in the presence of 50 mIU/ml of hCG. The release of T was inhibited significantly when 10 or 50 micrometers Colprone was added to the incubation medium. More 5 alpha-DHT was released into the medium from the testes mince in the presence of hCG, while the addition of 10 or 50 micrometers of Colprone inhibited 5 alpha-DHT release as compared to hCG controls. On the other hand, hCG failed to stimulate the release of T and 5 alpha-DHT from the minced caput and cauda epididymis and ventral prostate. The addition of Colprone (10--50 micrometers/ml) to the medium containing caput epididymis or ventral prostate resulted in a significant inhibition of T and 5 alpha-DHT. However, no significant change in the rate of T or 5 alpha-DHT release was recorded in medium containing cauda epididymis. In spite of its anti-androgenic effects reported by several investigators, Colprone in the present study has shown differential effects on T and 5 alpha-DHT release from different reproductive tissues of the male rat.
D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008524:Medrogestone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011245:Pregnadienes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011245:Pregnadienes; D008524:Medrogestone; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone