Morphometric analysis of prostates in castrated dogs after treatment with androstanediol, estradiol, and cyproterone acetate

Abstract

We studied the prostates of 22 beagle dogs by light morphometric analysis under defined hormonal influences. Prostatic weight increased with 3 alpha-androstanediol (3 alpha-diol) alone and in combination with 17 beta-estradiol (E2). Two different prostatic hyperplasia models were established. 3 alpha-Diol brings about diffuse glandular prostatic hyperplasia with an absolute increase of glandular parenchyma and, together with E2, provokes stromal hyperplasia with squamous metaplasia of the epithelium and secondary cyst formation. In both models, the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate causes a significant reduction of the absolute and relative volumes of the glandular compartment with antiandrogenic effects on the stroma.