Effect of a Folic Acid Antagonist on Hormonally Induced Changes in the Rat Prostate

Abstract

While the folic acid antagonist aminopterin (4-amino pteroyl glutamic acid), inhibits the stimulating effect of estrogens on chick oviduct, the present expts. indicate that this substance will not interfere with the testosterone stimulation of prostate growth in immature or castrate adult rats, but will interfere with the depressive action of alpha-estradiol on prostate growth. Aminopterin, of itself, has no androgenic powers as evidenced by its failure to stimulate prostate growth. Thus this substance apparently interferes specifically with action of estrogen on tissues.