Back to Search Start Over

Androgen-dependent morphology of prostates and seminal vesicles in the Hershberger assay: evaluation of immunohistochemical and morphometric parameters.

Authors :
Nishino T
Wedel T
Schmitt O
Bühlmeyer K
Schönfelder M
Hirtreiter C
Schulz T
Kühnel W
Michna H
Source :
Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft [Ann Anat] 2004 Jun; Vol. 186 (3), pp. 247-53.
Publication Year :
2004

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate androgen-like effects using immunohistochemical and morphometric methods. Therefore, orchiectomized Wistar rats (n > or = 13) were treated s.c. with 1 mg/kg bw/day testosterone propionate (TP) for 7 days and compared to orchiectomized rats without TP substitution (OX) and to an untreated intact control group. Sections obtained from prostates and seminal vesicles were stained with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the androgen receptor (AR) and assessed densitometrically (intensity of the immunoreaction) and morphometrically (epithelial height, luminal area). TP caused an enhancement of staining intensity and an increase in organ weights, epithelial height and luminal area. The use of proliferation markers (PCNA, MIB-5) showed also a highly significant increase of immunoreactive cells in TP-substituted orchiectomized rats compared with the OX group. Based on the present data, the densitometric analysis of AR-immunoreactivity as well as the assessment of proliferation markers, epithelial height and luminal area proved to be sensitive parameters for the evaluation of androgen effects on prostates and seminal vesicles. In further studies these parameters will be used to test several industrial xenooestrogens as well as phytooestrogens on their possible androgenic capacity.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0940-9602
Volume :
186
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
15255301
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0940-9602(04)80011-6