Age-dependent expression of 5alpha-reductase and androgen receptors mRNA by the canine prostate.

The growth of the prostate gland is androgen-dependent. Testosterone is converted to the most potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5alpha-reductase within the prostate. Androgen interacts with androgen receptors (AR) to regulate normal growth of the prostate and has also been implicated in both the progression of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. This study was conducted to compare the mRNA expression of AR and 5alpha-reductase by the prostate gland from three age categories: immature, young-mature and old dogs. Quantitative gene expression was assessed by the real-time PCR and the results were expressed as a relative mRNA expression of the target gene. This study revealed that there was no significant difference in the mRNA expression of the AR gene by the prostate gland of immature, young and old dogs. In contrast, there is a highly significant (P<0.001) down-regulation in 5alpha-reductase gene by the prostate of young and old dogs as compared with immature dogs. However, there is no significant difference in mRNA expression of the 5alpha-reductase gene by the prostate gland from young and old dogs. This differential expression of AR and 5alpha-reductase genes, which are involved in the regulation of androgen effect on prostate gland, might reflect an age-dependent growth requirement of the gland for androgens.