Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The prostate in eunuchs.

C P Wu1, F L Gu

  • 1Institute of Urology, Beijing Medical University, China.

Progress in Clinical and Biological Research
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study examined prostate size in elderly eunuchs, finding that the absence of testicular hormones prevents prostate development and maintenance. This research highlights the critical role of hormones in prostate health.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Multicenter retrospective analysis of transoral robotic surgery for parapharyngeal space neoplasm].

Zhonghua er bi yan hou tou jing wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery·2025
Same author

[Transoral robotic surgery of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma: analysis of 157 cases from five medical centers].

Zhonghua er bi yan hou tou jing wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery·2025
Same author

[Multicenter study on the efficacy of transoral robotic surgery for malignant tongue base tumors].

Zhonghua er bi yan hou tou jing wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery·2025
Same author

[The application of domestic flexible arm robot in assisting transoral resection of throat tumors].

Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2025
Same author

[Therapeutic efficacy of transoral robotic surgery with the da Vinci robot system for the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2024
Same author

[Comparison of the efficacy of carelizumab combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in the induction therapy of locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma].

Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2024
Same journal

DNA homology and chromosome stability: a sensitive yeast genetic system for identifying double-stranded DNA damage.

Progress in clinical and biological research·2018
Same journal

Endotoxin and sepsis: molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, host resistance, and therapy. Proceedings of the 4th Conference of the International Endotoxin Society. Nagoya, Japan, October 23-27, 1996.

Progress in clinical and biological research·1998
Same journal

The pathogenic role of LBP in gram-negative sepsis and septic shock.

Progress in clinical and biological research·1998
Same journal

The role of interleukin 6 in endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses.

Progress in clinical and biological research·1998
Same journal

Role of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in endotoxin shock.

Progress in clinical and biological research·1998
Same journal

Interaction of lipopolysaccharide with a mammalian lyso-phosphatidate acyltransferase (LPAAT) transfected into E. coli, and effect of lisofylline on LPAAT transfected into mammalian cells.

Progress in clinical and biological research·1998
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Urology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Eunuchs, individuals castrated before puberty, offer a unique model for studying hormonal effects.
  • The Qing Dynasty palace eunuchs provide a historical cohort for long-term observation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of castration on prostate size and development.
  • To confirm the essential role of testicular hormones in prostate preservation.

Main Methods:

  • Physical examinations, including rectal palpation of the prostate, were conducted on 26 surviving Qing Dynasty eunuchs in Beijing in 1960.
  • Data collected included age at castration, duration of eunuch status, and prostate size measurements.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • The average age of the eunuchs was 72 years, with an average of 54 years since castration.
  • Prostate was impalpable in 81% of subjects, and small (1-2 cm width) with a flat surface in the remainder.
  • These findings strongly suggest testicular hormones are crucial for prostate development and maintenance.

Conclusions:

  • Testicular hormones are essential for the development and preservation of the human prostate.
  • Long-term eunuch status is associated with significantly reduced prostate size.
  • This study provides compelling evidence for hormonal regulation of prostate morphology.