EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE AND PROLACTIN OR GROWTH HORMONE ON THE ACCESSORY SEX ORGANS OF CASTRATED MICE

SUMMARY In 5-day experiments, neither bovine prolactin (300 or 600 i.u./kg) nor ovine growth hormone (25 i.u./kg) alone significantly enhanced accessory sex organ weights in the castrated mouse. Seminal vesicle weights, and to a lesser extent anterior prostate gland weights, were augmented by the simultaneous injection of testosterone (1·5 mg/kg) daily plus prolactin or growth hormone. The effect was greater than that produced by testosterone alone. The levels of fructose in accessory sex organs used to indicate androgenic activity were similar in castrated mice receiving testosterone alone or in combination with prolactin or growth hormone. Prolactin alone did not influence uptake of [3H]testosterone by the seminal vesicles or anterior prostate gland over a 5 min period in vivo.