EFFECTS OF 5α-ANDROSTANE-3β,17β-DIOL AND 5β-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE ON ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN THE PROSTATE GLAND OF THE CASTRATED ADULT RAT

• Published in: Journal of endocrinology Vol. 79; no. 1; pp. 9 - 16
• Main Authors: TENNISWOOD, M. P, ABRAHAMS, PAMELA P, BIRD, C. E, CLARK, A. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BioScientifica 01.10.1978
• ISSN: 0022-0795; 1479-6805
• DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.0790009

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of filtrates from adult rat prostatic tissue showed two bands of acid phosphatase activity. These corresponded to the lysosomal and secretory acid phosphatases. After castration the secretory acid phosphatase disappeared. The specific activity of the enzyme increased from the time of castration to a maximum on day 7 before declining steadily, while the percentage inhibition by tartrate of acid phosphatase increased from control levels to a maximum on day 7 and then decreased to a new steady state by day 15. When 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol was administered i.p. at a dose of 2 mg/day, starting immediately after castration, the secretory acid phosphatase was retained but the percentage inhibition and the specific activity were both raised above control levels. When this steroid was administered daily starting 7 days after castration the secretory acid phosphatase band on the gels returned more rapidly than with the classical androgens, but the percentage inhibition and specific activity were once again raised. Intraperitoneal administration of 5β-dihydrotestosterone, at a dose of 2 mg/day, did not maintain the secretory acid phosphatase activity which disappeared by day 5. However, the specific activity of acid phosphatase and the percentage inhibition by tartrate were both raised throughout the experiment. If this steroid was given 7 days after castration, the percentage inhibition by tartrate did not respond and fell to the level seen in castrated rats. The specific activity, however, remained significantly above the level found in castrated control rats.