The Androgenic Potency of Dihydrotestosterone and Testosterone in the Bull, and the Effect of Growth Hormone on the Bovine Seminal Vesicle

Abstract

SUMMARY The androgenic effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the bovine seminal vesicles have been evaluated by (i) introducing the steroid directly into one seminal vesicle in situ, while retaining the other vesicle as a control or for the introduction of another steroid, or (ii) injecting the steroid subcutaneously into a whole animal, and examining the seminal vesicles after autopsy. When introduced directly into a seminal vesicle dihydrotestosterone oenanthate stimulated growth and the formation of fructose and citric acid, but the magnitude of the effect was not greater than that of a similar dose of testosterone oenanthate. When twin calves were injected subcutaneously, one with dihydrotestosterone propionate, and the other with the same dose of testosterone propionate, only the latter responded with increased output of fructose, citric acid and α-mannosidase in electro-ejaculated semen. But the seminal vesicles grew to approximately the same size in both twins. Parenterally administered bovine growth hormone produced a sudden but transient burst of secretory activity in the seminal vesicles, resulting in the appearance of fructose and citric acid in electro-ejaculated semen.

Effects of Testosterone, Testosterone Metabolites and Anti-Androgens on the Function of the Male Accessory Glands in the Rabbit and Rat

“…The reason for this may be due to differences in the solubility of the steroid. Mann et al (1971) found that after injection of free testosterone directly into the seminal vesicles of the bull, the levels of fructose and citric acid were considerably less than after administration of testosterone oenanthate. Previous reports on the potency of androgens using a combination offree and esterified forms must, therefore, be viewed with circumspection.…”

“…The most provocative proposal in this respect has come from Lasnitzki and Baulieu who have suggested from their studies on the culture of the rat prostate gland in vitro, that 5a-dihydrotestosterone is concerned with stimulating cell division whereas 5a-androstanediols control glandular secretion (Baulieu, Lasnitzki & Robel, 1968;Robel, Lasnitzki & Baulieu, 1971). Confirmation of this hypothesis, however, necessitates the use of bio¬ chemical rather than histological markers, and in the few experiments where specific secretory products have been measured (Jeffcoate & Short, 1970;Mann, Rowson, Baranos & Karagiannidis, 1971 ;Lubicz-Nawrocki, 1973) the results have been conflicting.…”

Secretory Function of the Prostate, Seminal Vesicle and Other Male Accessory Organs of Reproduction

“…Testosterone acts on the male accessory organs directly, without having first to undergo metabolic alteration in the animal body. Convincing proof of such direct action was provided by an experiment recently carried out on bull seminal vesicles in vivo, in which testosterone was injected locally into one seminal vesicle in situ, while the other was left as an untreated control: 3 weeks after local introduction of 10 mg testosterone oenanthate, the treated seminal vesicle was twice as large and contained four times as much fructose and citric acid as the untreated control (Mann, Rowson, Baronos & Karagiannidis, 1971).…”

Evaluation of the Functional State of Male Accessory Glands by the Analysis of Seminal Plasma*

“…One can also evaluate the functional state of these organs by the chemical analysis of the individual secretions or of the whole seminal plasma. Detailed information pertaining to the question of assessing the secretory function of male accessory organs has been summarized recently (Mann -1971(Mann - , 1974a(Mann - , b, 1975. The examples given below have been selected so as to illustrate how biochemical findings obtained with either the male accessory fluids or the seminal plasma can help t o solve certain specific problems in the physiology and pathology of the male reproductive function.In man, the seminal vesicle, together with the ampulla, constitutes the main source of seminal fructose (Mann -1946(Mann - , 1964.…”

“…For instance, if at laparatomy one of the two seminal vesicles of a dastrated bull is injected in situ with testosterone, while the other is left untreated, only the androgen-treated seminal vesicle will grow and double its size within a few weeks. But more impressive than the growth response, is the testosterone-induced rise in the secretory activity of the hormone-treated seminal vesicle; up to 80mg/100g of fructose and citric acid accumulates under such conditions in the treated gland, as compared with a mere lOmg/lOOg in the control organ (Mann et al -1971). ticated animals as well as certain wild living creatures such as the hedgehog, mole or deer, have demonstrated that the chemical analysis of either the individual accessory fluids or of the whole seminal plasma, can provide a highly meaningful measure of the androgenic status in the male organism .What are the chances of applying analogous methods and criteria in the assessment of the androgenic status in man?…”