title: Flutamide as a tool to study the hormonal regulation of the reproductive tract in the golden hamster.
abstract: The effect of flutamide (FLU) administered during 6 weeks at doses of 50 or 100 mg kg-1 body weight, on various reproductive characteristics of sexually active male golden hamsters was studied. The weight of seminal vesicles and epididymides showed a dose dependent inhibition with FLU, while testicular weight exhibited a biphasic response, its value being increased by 20% at lower FLU doses and reduced by 15% at higher FLU doses. An elevation of testicular and epididymal androgen-binding protein (ABP) content and also of testicular testosterone content was observed with both doses of FLU. Serum levels of LH and testosterone exhibited a four-fold increase, at both doses of FLU, while FSH serum level was elevated depending on the dose of FLU used. Results suggest that in the golden hamster the maintenance of the weight of testes and accessory organs depends mainly on androgenic stimulation, while production and transport of ABP is probably regulated by gonadotropins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Balbontín
mesh_terms: D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D013739:Testosterone; D005485:Flutamide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone