Flutamide-induced cryptorchidism in the rat is associated with altered gubernacular morphology.
OBJECTIVE
One of the major controversies regarding descent of the testes is whether androgenic regulation of the gubernaculum testes exists. To determine if antiandrogens can alter the development of the gubernaculum within the fetus, the following experiment was performed.


METHODS
Timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either flutamide, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or vehicle alone (controls) from gestational day (GD) 15 to 17. Fetal specimens were removed via cesarean section on GD 18 and 20. Serial coronal sections were obtained, and digital microscopy with computer-assisted reconstruction was used to ascertain the morphology of the three components of the gubernaculum, that is, the gubernacular cord and the mesenchymal and muscular components of the gubernacular bulb.


RESULTS
Flutamide significantly prevented and DHT significantly enhanced gubernacular cord regression compared with controls (P < 0.01). Flutamide also resulted in a significant inhibition of the gubernacular bulb outgrowth, with diminution of both the mesenchymal and muscular components of the gubernacular bulb.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that androgens play an active role in gubernacular cord regression and gubernacular outgrowth within the fetal rodent.
Cain
M P
MP
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Kramer
S A
SA
Tindall
D J
DJ
Husmann
D A
DA
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology*
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D005485:Flutamide