Inhibition of prostatic growth in rats by 6-methylene-4-pregnene-3,20-dione

Abstract

6-Methylene-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, a potent irreversible inhibitor of rat prostate 5α-reductase in vitro, markedly inhibited the growth of the ventral prostate and seminal vesicles in immature rats when administered s.c. in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for 35 days. Kidney and testes weights were reduced, together with some reduction in body weight. In the mature rat treated with this steroid in a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight per day for 11 days, marked regression in ventral prostate and seminal vesicles was observed.