Effects of Castration and Androgen Administration on Metabolic Characteristics of the Guinea Pig Seminal Vesicle

Abstract

Guinea pig seminal vesicle epithelium was found to be the selective target tissue for androgenic stimulation, undergoing atrophy and respiratory inhibition after castration, and growth and respiratory stimulation after androgen administration. Weight and respiration of the smooth muscle of the seminal vesicle were unaffected by castration. The decline in epithelial respiration following castration was not accompanied by a parallel depression in succinoxidase activity, suggesting that the oxidation of succinate does not become rate-limiting in the oxidative metabolism of this tissue during castration atrophy. A greater percentage of the glucose utilized in vitro could be accounted for as lactic acid in epithelium from castrated animals in comparison with that of controls. Glucose oxidation was depressed in the former tissue. Administration of androgen to the castrate restored epithelial glucose-lactate balance to normal.