Long-term testosterone stimulation induces hyperplasia in the guinea-pig prostate.
The relation between supraphysiologic circulating testosterone levels and prostatic diseases is unclear and difficult to study in men. Animal models may be advantageous. Based on a pilot study, testosterone enantate 50 mg (n=12) or 25 mg (n=12) was administered to guinea-pigs intramuscularly every 3 weeks, for either 7 or 14 months. The histopathology of the prostate was described. Epithelial hyperplasia was found in 14/21 animals receiving testosterone and in 7/12 very old animals, but no such changes were found in the sham or castrated animals. Testosterone stimulation seems to induce epithelial hyperplasia, but not cancer, in the guinea-pig prostate.
Acosta
S
S
Department of Urology, University Hospital of Malmö, Malmö, Sweden. stefan.acosta@telia.com
Dizeyi
N
N
Feinstein
R
R
Pierzynowski
S
S
Abrahamsson
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000633:toxicity*
D013739:Testosterone