EFFECTS OF LOCAL APPLICATION OF TESTOSTERONE, TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE OR 5α-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE INTO THE SEMINAL VESICLE OF IMMATURE AND ADULT CASTRATE RATS

ABSTRACT Testosterone, testosterone propionate or 5α-dihydrotestosterone injected into the lumen of the seminal vesicle of 4-week-old or adult castrate rats failed to stimulate the growth of the seminal vesicle in doses of 0.02 to 50 μg when the steroids were dissolved in 50 to 70 % propylene glycol. Only a larger amount of the steroids in propylene glycol, 300 μg per lobe, produced an increase in the weight of the seminal vesicle of adult castrate rats. The application of 10 μg of each steroid in olive oil, however, stimulated the growth of the seminal vesicle in immature castrate rats 24 and 48 h after treatment. The instillation of testosterone, testosterone propionate or 5α-dihydrotestosterone dissolved in olive oil into the lumen of the seminal vesicle of immature castrate rats produced a greater increase in the weight of the ventral prostate than in the seminal vesicle. When 10 μg of the steroid was instilled, the weight of the seminal vesicle increased by 25 % above the control value, whereas the increase in the prostate was more than 50 % above the control value at 24 h. The prostate responded with increased growth after the steroids were injected into the lumen of the ligated lobes of the seminal vesicle of adult castrate rats. Testosterone was less effective than testosterone propionate or 5α-dihydrotestosterone.