Prostate‐specific antigen and prostate gland size in men receiving exogenous testosterone for male contraception

Abstract

Steroid regimens containing androgens are being evaluated currently as hormonal contraceptives for men. The possible non-reproductive effects of such treatment were assessed during an efficacy trial using a prototype regime of 200 mg testosterone enanthate i.m. weekly. Prostatic function and size were monitored by regular rectal examination, blood levels of prostate-specific androgen (PSA) were measured in 30 men and prostatic size was measured by trans-rectal ultrasound imaging in a representative subgroup of five subjects for 12 months and for a further 6 months after discontinuation. Despite the sustained rise in serum levels of testosterone, oestradiol and dihydrotestosterone during treatment, there was no detectable increase in prostatic size on rectal examination or any significant change in blood concentrations of PSA. A small but significant increase (14.3 +/- 2.0%) in maximal prostate transverse area was observed in four men while the remaining one showed no change. Our preliminary data demonstrate the feasibility and importance of monitoring prostatic function in the development of androgen-containing male hormonal contraceptives.

Effects of Gonadotropin and Testosterone Treatments on Prostate Volume and Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Levels in Male Hypogonadism.

“…Our results suggest that PSA levels could not be used as an index of androgen action in the treatment of male hypogonadism since its level was correlated with only in a subgroup of male hypogonadism after treatment. Wallace et al [20], supporting this view, reported that supraphysiological serum testosterone levels after high-hose testosterone enanthate administration in healthy subjects did not result in changes in serum PSA levels. Although Behre et al [11] …”

Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Serum Psa in Patients With Klinefelter Syndrome

“…Effective testosterone substitution therapy of hypogonadal men increases prostate volume to a level comparable to that of age-matched normal males [3,12]. For male contraception, highdose administration of testosterone enanthate to normal men, leading to continuously supraphysiological level of serum testosterone, did not result in changes of serum PSA levels, although a minor increase in prostate volume was observed [15]. In the present study, too, testosterone replacement therapy caused no change in serum PSA but a significant increase in prostate volume in Klinefelter syndrome.…”

Changes in structure and functions of prostate by long-term administration of an androgen, testosterone enanthate, in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

“…The present study is the first report recording changes in prostate structure and secretory activity in a primate injected exogenously with TE for more than 2 years. Previously, Wallace et al (1993) reported a small but significant increase in maximal prostate transverse area in four men who participated in the efficacy trial using 200 mg TE injected weekly for 1 year. The marked increase in PAP levels in treated animals suggests that TE injections have promoted the secretory activity of prostate epithelial cells.…”