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Testosterone changes bladder and kidney structure in juvenile male rats
Linda M Dairiki Shortliffe1, Youxin Ye1, Barry Behr1
1Departments of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology (BB), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
The Journal of Urology
|February 13, 2014
Summary
Testosterone significantly impacts juvenile rat bladder and kidney development, increasing organ size and smooth muscle. This hormone influences kidney structure, suggesting a key role in genitourinary development.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Testosterone is crucial for male development, maturation, and aging.
- Limited data exist on testosterone's effects on the juvenile genitourinary system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental effects of testosterone on the juvenile male rat bladder and kidney.
- To test the hypothesis that testosterone influences bladder and kidney development.
Main Methods:
- Prepubertal male Wistar rats (21 days old) were divided into sham orchiectomy (control), orchiectomy with vehicle, and orchiectomy with testosterone groups.
- Testosterone enanthate or vehicle was injected weekly starting at 28 days old.
- Bladders and kidneys were analyzed for androgen receptor, collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio, and renal morphometry.
Main Results:
- Testosterone administration increased bladder-to-body and kidney-to-body weight ratios.
- Testosterone led to a decreased bladder collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio, indicating increased smooth muscle.
- Testosterone-treated kidneys showed a lower total glomerular count but increased androgen receptor density.
Conclusions:
- In juvenile male rats, testosterone is associated with increased bladder and renal mass and enhanced bladder smooth muscle.
- Testosterone-associated kidneys exhibited fewer, larger glomeruli, suggesting altered renal development.
- These findings support a significant role for sex hormones in the structural and functional development of the bladder and kidney.
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