Effect of castration, testosterone treatment and hereditary sterility on prostaglandin concentration in the male reproductive system of mice

• Published in: Prostaglandins Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 289 - 297
• Main Authors: Badr, F.M., Barcikowski, B., Bartke, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.1975
• Subjects: Animals; Castration; Epididymis - analysis; Genitalia, Male - analysis; Genitalia, Male - drug effects; Genitalia, Male - metabolism; Infertility, Male - metabolism; Male; Mice; Prostaglandins E - analysis; Prostaglandins F - analysis; Seminal Vesicles - analysis; Stimulation, Chemical; Testis - physiology; Testosterone - pharmacology; Vas Deferens - analysis
• ISSN: 0090-6980
• DOI: 10.1016/0090-6980(75)90033-7

The concentration of prostaglandins E and F in different parts of the male reproductive system of CD-1 and dwarf mice was measured by radioimmunoassay. In intact CD-1 mice, the vas deferens contained a significantly higher concentration of PGE and PGF than was found in the epididymis and in the seminal vesicles. All tissues studied had more PGE than PGF. Castration resulted in increased PG concentrations in both the epididymis and the seminal vesicles and decreased PG concentrations in the vas deferens. There was also a differential response of PGE and PGF in the different tissues. The treatment of castrated mice with testosterone propionate over a period of 10-days maintained nearly normal PG levels in their tissues. Ligation of the proximal end of the vas deferens in castrated mice diminished the effect of castration on both PG levels and tissue weight of the epididymis. Concentrations of PGE and PGF in the epididymis of genetically sterile dwarf mice (dw/dw) were significantly higher than those observed in their normal littermates (+/?). A reversed PGE/PGF ratio was found in the vas deferens of the dwarf mice in comparison with their normal littermates. The results indicate that testicular androgens affect the levels of PGE and PGF in the reproductive system of male mice. The physiological role of PGs in male reproductive functions has not been established, but there is a suggestion that PGs have a role in controlling the transit of spermatozoa through the epididymis and vas deferens.