Testosterone-induced decrement of prostatic vascular resistance in rats is reversed by estrogens

The function and growth of the rat prostate are stimulated by androgens and inhibited by estrogens. To study the influence of these hormones on the prostatic blood flow, prostatic vascular resistance was measured in castrated adult rats, which were testosterone supplemented and treated with different estrogenic substances. Prostatic blood flow was measured using the microsphere technique. Testosterone supplementation for 8-9 days after castration resulted in decreased vascular resistance in both the ventral and dorsolateral prostates. In testosterone-supplemented rats, treatment for the same period of time with estradiol benzoate, ethinyl estradiol, and diethylstilbestrol induced increased vascular resistance in both the ventral and dorsolateral prostates. However, treatment with estromustine or estramustine did not change prostatic vascular resistance significantly. It was concluded that the testosterone-induced decrease of prostatic vascular resistance was reversed by estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, and diethylstilbestrol, possibly by a direct effect on the prostate.