Effects of the association of androgen/estrogen on the bladder and urethra of castrated rats.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of methyltestosterone, isolated or associated to estrogens, on the bladder and urethra of castrated adult rats.

MATERIAL &

METHODS

A total of 59 castrated animals were studied. They were divided into the following groups: I--placebo; II--equine conjugated estrogens; III--methyltestosterone and conjugated estrogens; IV--methyltestosterone. After 28 days of medication the animals were sacrificed and bladder and urethra cuts were obtained for the evaluation of the number of vessels, the thickness of the epithelia, and the quantity of collagen and muscular fibers.

RESULTS

The group receiving the androgen/estrogen association presented a higher number of vessels, epithelial thickness and quantity of muscular fibers (p < 0.05). A smaller quantity of collagen fibers was observed in the group utilizing isolated conjugated estrogen (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that the association of androgen/estrogen positively modifies important parameters in the urinary continence mechanism. Therefore, it could constitute an option for hormone replacement in postmenopausal stress urinary incontinence cases.