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Experimental cryptorchidism inhibited growth of the rat ventral prostate
K Y Ilio1, J T Grayhack, C Lee
1Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. k-ilio@nwu.edu
Abstract:
Adult Sprague-Dawley male rats, weighing about 350 g, were rendered cryptorchid by suturing the testes to the lateral abdominal wall. Twenty-eight days later, cryptorchidism resulted in a significant decline in testis weight and suppressed spermatogenesis. The ventral prostate was significantly smaller in cryptorchid rats. There was no significant difference in serum testosterone levels between the normal and cryptorchid rats. Charcoal-stripped aqueous extracts of the testis from intact and cryptorchid animals were tested on primary cultures of rat prostatic stromal cells. Cultures treated with extract from the intact testis had a significantly increased cell proliferation as assessed by cell count and by the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation. Additionally, extracts of seminiferous tubules significantly increased prostate stromal cell proliferation compared to extracts of testicular interstitial components. Furthermore, this proliferative effect of testicular extracts is specific to the prostate as extract of both normal and cryptorchid testis stimulated proliferation of rat footsole fibroblasts in culture, but only extracts from intact testis stimulated proliferation of prostate stromal cells. These observations demonstrate that the testis produces nonandrogenic substances that can promote growth of prostatic stromal cells and that these substances were eliminated in the cryptorchid testis.
Insights
Cryptorchidism, a condition affecting testes, reduces prostate size by eliminating nonandrogenic growth factors. Testicular extracts from intact rats promote prostate stromal cell proliferation, unlike those from cryptorchid rats.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Cryptorchidism is associated with decreased testis weight, impaired spermatogenesis, and reduced ventral prostate size.
- Serum testosterone levels remain unchanged in cryptorchid rats compared to controls.
- The role of nonandrogenic testicular factors in prostate growth is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and nature of testicular factors influencing prostate stromal cell proliferation.
- To determine if these factors are affected by experimentally induced cryptorchidism.
Main Methods:
- Adult male rats underwent surgical cryptorchidism.
- Testicular extracts were prepared from intact and cryptorchid rats.
- Primary cultures of rat prostatic stromal cells and rat footsole fibroblasts were treated with testicular extracts.
- Cell proliferation was assessed using cell counts and 3H-thymidine incorporation.
Main Results:
- Extracts from intact testes significantly increased prostate stromal cell proliferation.
- Extracts from seminiferous tubules showed greater proliferative effects than interstitial components.
- Cryptorchid testicular extracts did not stimulate prostate stromal cell proliferation.
- Testicular extracts stimulated fibroblast proliferation, but only intact testis extracts affected prostate stromal cells, indicating specificity.
Conclusions:
- The testis produces nonandrogenic substances that promote prostate stromal cell growth.
- These growth-promoting substances are diminished or eliminated in the cryptorchid testis.
- This finding suggests a potential mechanism for prostate size reduction in cryptorchidism independent of testosterone.