THE EFFECT OF GENERAL DIETARY DEFICIENCIES ON THE RESPONSE OF THE PROSTATE OF THE ALBINO RAT TO TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE1

Abstract

In an effort to determine the effect of diet on the response of the castrate rat''s prostate to testosterone propionate, groups of rats were placed on dietary deficiences of the following general types: 1) reduced intake of adequate stock diet; 2) limitation of diet to an intake of vit.-free casein and tap water only; and 3) limitation of dietary intake to glucose and tap water. Castrate male rats fed 20 g. of Purina Laboratory Chow daily served as controls. All rats showed prostatic growth with admn. of testosterone propionate. In the dosage range of 0.05 mg. daily there was little difference between the response in normally fed rats and those on deficient diets. At the 2 mg. daily dosage level there was uniformly a decreased prostatic growth in rats on reduced dietary intake. This was most pronounced when castrate rats fed only glucose were compared to those fed normal stock rations. The demonstrable effect of dietary intake on the response of the prostate of the castrate rat to testosterone may be due either to a lack of general or specific dietary substances. The possibility that it may be the result of alterations in the activity of remaining endocrine organs must also be considered.