The influence of castration and antiandrogenic treatment on the sensitivity of rat seminal vesicle to sympathomimetic drugs.

The sensitivity of seminal vesicles to sympathomimetic drugs and the plasma concentrations of testosterone and gonadotropins (LH and FSH) were examined in adult male albino rats divided into three groups: normal, castrated and Androcur-treated. Dose-effect curves for adrenaline and noradrenaline were obtained in the presence and absence of cocaine or corticosterone and the parameter pD2 was determined. Castration and Androcur treatment induced a decrease in seminal vesicle sensitivity to drugs (shifting of dose-effect curves to the right, decreased pD2). Cocaine shifted the adrenaline and noradrenaline dose-effect curves to the left in three groups. Corticosterone did not modify the dose-effect curves of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Plasma testosterone levels were decreased by castration and Androcur-treatment although the LH and FSH concentrations were markedly altered by castration but were unaltered by the antiandrogenic treatment. The results suggest that the androgen may play an important role in the sensitivity of the seminal vesicle to sympathomimetic drugs through control of the neuronal uptake of catecholamines.