Immunological studies with rat prostate: antigen localization and effect of hormones

Abstract

The antigenic composition of the rat prostatic complex was analysed. The dorsolateral prostate and coagulating glands have three common antigens. The ventral lobe possesses two antigens, one of which is common to dorsolateral prostate and coagulating glands and the other one, which is specific to the gland. Prostate specific antigens are mainly localized in the microsomal fraction. It was observed that at puberty there is an increase in the protein components in γ-region which coincides with the appearance of antigens that are detectable in γ-region. The results of the present study clearly show that the two of the three prostatic antigens are androgen dependent. Estrogen at a higher dose neutralized the androgen-induced changes. Anabolic steroids have no effect on the antigenic pattern.