Histological and histochemical changes in the prostate glands of male albino rats after repeated injections of the androgenic hormone [dehydroepiandrosterone]

The effect of dehydroepi and rosterone hormone was studied in male albino rats. They were divided into four groups. Five of them were control [group 1], 10 were biopsied from the prostate gland 2 months after injections by one therapeutic dose [group 2]. Another 10 animals were biopsied after 2 months injections by double therapeutic dose [group 3] and the last 10 rats were injected by triple therapeutic dose [group 4]. Animals of group 2 showed edema of the connective tissue with shrunken acini. Animals of group 3 presented by dilated acini, congested blood vessels, thin, separated connective tissue fibers and areas of starting stratification. In group 4 there was hypertrophy, hyperplasia and metaplasia of the epithelial cells. Mitotic figures, hyperchromatic nuclei edematous connective tissue and dilated blood vessels were also noticed. Histochemically, acid phosphatase enzyme activity was increased in group 2 and showed areas of diminished activity in groups 3 and 4, while alkaline phosphatase enzyme showed increased activity in all groups. So, it was concluded that people who self administer large doses of and rogenic hormone for body build may induce abnormal histological and histochemical changes in the prostate gland