Reproductive and endocrinological effects of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and finasteride therapy in dogs

Prostatic morphological changes throughout life: Cytochemistry as a tool to reveal tissue aging markers

The prostate undergoes normal or pathological morphological changes throughout life. An understanding of these changes is fundamental for the comprehension of aging-related pathological processes such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cancer. In the present study, we show some of these morphological changes, as well as histochemical techniques like Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin method, Picrosirius Red, and Gömöri's reticulin for use as tools in the study of prostate tissue under light microscopy. For this purpose, prostates of the Mongolian gerbil (n = 9), an experimental model that develops BPH spontaneously, were analyzed at three life stages: young (1 month old), adult (3 months old), and old (15 months old). The results showed that fibrillar components such as collagen, and reticular and elastic fibers, change throughout life. In young animals, the prostate has cuboidal epithelium surrounded by thin layers of smooth muscle, continuous collagen fibers, winding reticular fibers, and sporadic elastic fibers. With adulthood, the epithelium becomes columnar, encircled by compacted muscle cells among slender collagen fibers, elongated reticular fibers, and linear elastic fibers. In aging individuals, the prostate's epithelium stratifies, surrounded by thick muscle layers among dense collagen fibers, disordered reticular fibers, and elastic fibers in different planes. We also identified a few accumulations of lipid droplets and lipofuscin granules in adult animals and high accumulation in old animals evidenced by Oil red O and Gömöri-Halmi techniques, respectively. The histochemical techniques presented here have been demonstrated to be useful and accessible tools in prostate studies. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Cytochemical techniques to study prostate morphology. The prostate changes with age.

Endocrine and dog factors associated with semen quality

Knowledge of factors associated with semen quality may help in investigations of the aetiology and pathophysiology. We investigated the correlation between biomarkers for testicular cell function (anti-müllerian hormone, AMH, Inhibin B, testosterone, free androgen-index (testosterone/sex-hormone binding globulin), insulin like peptide 3, INSL-3), alkaline phosphate (ALP), canine prostate-specific esterase (CPSE), and heterophilic antibodies with dog variables, semen quality, and fertility. Blood and semen were collected from 65 Bernese Mountain Dogs. We evaluated total sperm count, motility and morphological parameters. The semen quality ranged from poor to excellent, with an average total sperm count of 1.1 × 109 and 50% morphologically normal spermatozoa (MNS). Age and abnormal testicular consistency correlated with decreased motility and MNS. Higher ALP correlated with higher total sperm count. AMH could not be detected in seminal plasma. AMH in blood correlated with head defects and high AMH concentration correlated with a severe decline in several semen parameters. Testosterone was negatively and CPSE positively correlated with age. No correlations were found for INSL-3, inhibin B, or heterophilic antibodies. Our findings contribute to the understanding of factors associated with semen quality in dogs, particularly related to Sertoli cell function.

Biocompatibility and efficacy of prostatic urethral lift in benign prostate hyperplasia: an in vivo and in vitro study

The study aimed to assess the biocompatibility and efficacy of a prostatic urethral lift (PUL) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Human BPH-1 cells were co-cultured with implant anchors and sutures, and cytotoxicity was measured. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe adhesion and growth of cells and to evaluate implant biocompatibility. Fifteen male beagle dogs were randomly assigned to the surgical (n = 9) or sham-operated (n = 6) groups. The surgical group underwent cystotomy, and PUL was used to insert two implants in each lobe of the prostate to compress the enlarged prostate and dilate the urethra; the sham group underwent cystotomy without implant insertion. Compared with the control group, no significant difference in cell viability among the groups with different co-culture times of implant anchors and sutures (P > 0.05) was observed. SEM revealed good adhesion and growth of prostate cells on the implants. Improvements in urine flow rates remained stable at 7, 28, and 180 days after surgery, and the urethral diameter in the prostate region was significantly increased compared with that before surgery. PUL is a biocompatible and effective treatment for BPH, improving the urine flow rate without causing inflammation, tissue damage, or cytotoxic effects. Here, the basis for further PUL application was provided.

Comparative effects of finasteride and laser-irradiated silver nanoparticles on testicular function and histology in testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

AIMS

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of finasteride, a medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and laser irradiated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), a potential candidate for BPH therapy (Sanchez-Salas, 2017; Marghani et al., 2022) [1,2], on the sex hormone profiles, sperm quality, steroidogenesis, testicular oxidative stress, and histomorphology changes in BPH rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BPH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats via intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 5 mg/kg BW testosterone propionate (TP) for 14 days. Once the BPH model was induced, rats were divided into four groups (n = 6) as follows: the control group; the BPH group; the BPH/Fina group, which received 5 mg/kg BW finasteride by oral gavage daily for 14 days; and the BPH/AgNPs group, which received a daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 50 mg/kg BW AgNPs, followed by 5 min of exposure to a 532 nm NIR laser in the prostatic area for the constitutive 14 days.

KEY FINDINGS

On day 14, the BPH rats had a significant increase in prostate specific antigen (PSA), dihydrotestosterone, and prostate weights, while testicular weights and sperm quality were significantly lower than in the control rats. On day 28, laser irradiated AgNps treated BPH rats showed improved sex hormone balance, testicular weights, sperm quality, steroidogenesis, and an ameliorative effect on testicular histopathology compared to finasteride.

SIGNIFICANCE

Surprisingly, these findings suggest that laser irradiated AgNPs can be used as an alternative therapy to finasteride for the treatment of BPH without causing negative effects on the testes.

Oxidative stress biomarkers in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and biomarkers of lipid and protein peroxidation in the blood serum of dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study was conducted on 36 intact male dogs of various breeds. The dogs were assigned to two groups: BPH group (n = 18) and non-affected group (n = 18). Blood samples were collected from the cephalic vein. The antioxidant status of the serum was assessed using TAC. The levels of bityrosine, formylkynurenine and SH-groups were used as protein peroxidation biomarkers and the level of radical cations of N,N-diethyl-paraphenylene diamine (RC-DEPPD) was used as a marker for lipid peroxidation. TAC and the concentrations of SH-groups and RC-DEPPD in the serum were determined spectrophotometrically, the concentrations of bityrosine and formylokynurenine, were determined using spectrofluorimetric methods.

RESULTS

The mean value of TAC in the serum was significantly lower (P = 0.01) in BPH dogs than in non-affected dogs (3.10 ± 0.56 vs 4.20 ± 1.60 μmol/g protein). Mean levels of protein and lipid oxidation biomarkers showed a trend towards oxidative imbalance, but there were no statistically significant differences between dogs with BPH and controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, significantly lower serum TAC in dogs with BPH compared to non-affected dogs suggests a potential involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of BPH in dogs. More studies are needed to clarify the role of oxidative stress in the development of BPH in dogs.

Effects of Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract on the Hormones, Serum Biochemicals, and Hematological Parameters in Dogs with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disorder in non-neutered dogs and is often caused by androgenic stimulation or changes in the ratio of androgen to estrogen. Also, it is commonly seen in neutered older dogs. Clinical signs may not be presented, but persistent or intermittent hematuria, hemospermia, or a primary hemorrhagic discharge are usually reported. In this research, ethanolic extract of licorice root (EELR) was used as the treatment, which has various antioxidant and healing properties and can reduce lesions by establishing an antioxidant balance and reducing inflammation. For this experiment, 30 dogs of approximately the same age and weight were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 each. The treatment groups received the EELR at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg separately, while the control group received no medications. At the end of the 9-week treatment period, biochemical and hormonal factors were measured and analyzed by blood sampling. The results showed that the EELR has multiple positive effects on the serum biochemical indices and also positively affects hormone levels, while it can decrease the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in BPH dogs. In conclusion, the EELR can effectively reduce BPH-induced lesions without any side effects.

Frozen-Thawed Sperm Analysis of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Dogs Treated With Finasteride

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a pathological condition that directly interferes with the reproductive potential of senile dogs, by leading to prostate enlargement and sperm injury, which in turn may compromise sperm freezeability. Moreover, albeit finasteride treatment reduces prostatic volume and blood supply and maintains seminal quality and testicular integrity, the effects of sperm samples submitted to cryopreservation after the finasteride treatment are still unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate frozen-thawed semen of BPH dogs, as well as dogs subjected to BPH pharmacological treatment with finasteride. For such purpose, 20 dogs were previously selected and assigned to three experimental groups, according to BPH diagnosis and treatment with finasteride: Control (n = 9), BPH Group (n = 5) and BPH-Finasteride Group (n = 6). Semen was subjected to one-step cryopreservation protocol with tris-fructose-citric acid extender with 5% glycerol and thawed at 37°C for 30 sec. Fresh and post-thaw sperm samples were evaluated for macroscopic parameters, sperm concentration, sperm motility kinetics, sperm mitochondrial activity and potential, oxidative stress, plasmatic and acrosome membrane integrity, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm binding test on perivitelic membrane of chicken egg yolk. Regarding fresh semen, BPH-Finasteride group had the lowest ejaculate visual aspect (opacity), higher frequency of sperm flagellar beating (BCF) and percentage of sperm with medium velocity. Control group had the highest percentage of sperm DNA integrity compared to BPH group. For the frozen-thawed semen, Control group presented the highest percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial activity. However, the BPH-Finasteride group showed higher number of sperm bound to the perivitelline membrane of chicken egg yolk compared to the BPH Group. Conversely, BPH group had higher percentage of DNA damage. In conclusion, the ejaculate of BPH dogs has higher susceptibility to cryoinjury, whereas finasteride-treated dogs have increased spermatozoa functional performance, suggesting a promising use of BPH dogs as semen donors in sperm cryopreservation programs.

A Combination of Natural Products, BenPros (Green Tea Extract, Soybean Extract and Camellia Japonica Oil), Ameliorates Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in elderly men and causes lower urinary tract symptoms due to excessive proliferation of prostate stromal and epithelial cells. The present study investigated the improving effect of BenPros, an edible natural product mixture (green tea extract, soybean extract and camellia japonica oil), against the development of BPH in vitro and in vivo. BenPros treatment showed inhibitory ability on testosterone-induced androgen receptor, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and 5α-reductase protein expression in LNCap-LN3 cells and anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced increases in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in RAW264.7 cells. In a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model, BenPros decreased the up-regulated serum 5α-dihydrotestosterone and PSA levels. Moreover, BenPros also significantly reduced PSA protein expression in prostate tissue. Furthermore, TP-induced increased expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) were reduced by BenPros, resulting in an increase in the Bcl-2/BCL2-related X ratio. These regulatory abilities of BenPros on BPH inducing markers also reduced prostate size and epithelial thickness based on histological analysis. These results indicate that BenPros has a protective ability against BPH in vitro and in vivo, and it may be a promising candidate as a functional food in regulating BPH.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Osaterone Acetate and Deslorelin Acetate on Sperm Kinematics and Morpho-Functional Parameters in Dogs

Simple Summary

Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects over 80% of old, non-castrated male dogs. In many cases, the severity of the symptoms means that treatment is required. The treatment of choice is surgical castration, which is unacceptable for the owners of stud dogs who are interested in therapy that does not exclude their animals from breeding. In those cases, treatment with deslorelin acetate or osaterone acetate offers an alternative to surgery. The aim of our study was to compare the changes in semen parameters over time. The deslorelin acetate implant gradually, during the course of its action, led to a full prevention the stud dogs from mating. However, in the first week following implant placement, in some individuals we observed an increase in sperm concentration (flare up effect), offering the possibility to obtain sperm in valuable dogs before the action of deslorelin acetate is completely established, precluding semen collection. On the other hand, osaterone acetate allowed for the continuous reproductive use of a stud dog, as it only affected some semen parameters, and mainly caused a temporary reduction in semen volume with the subsequent increase in semen concentration without altering the libido.

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common problems in older male dogs that often has a huge impact on their health and welfare. This article presents a comparison between osaterone acetate (Ypozane^®; Virbac^®)(OA) and deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin^®; Virbac^®)(DA), medications that are the main therapeutic alternative to castration in dogs with BPH. Forty dogs were divided into four groups: I—negative control (five dogs without BPH); II—positive control (10 individuals diagnosed with BPH); III—15 dogs treated with DA, and IV—10 individuals treated with OA. Semen fractions were collected on days 0 (day of treatment), 7, 14, and 21, and weeks 8, 12, 16, and 20. Macroscopic, microscopic and CASA analyses were performed. Both DA and OA significantly affected the properties of the canine ejaculate. The DA lead to the lack of libido and had lesser effects to the sperm function before it caused azoospermia, whereas OA had no effect on libido and only temporary reduction in seminal plasma volume was observed, which resulted in temporary deterioration in the percentage of motile and progressive spermatozoa.

Ageing changes testes and epididymis blood flow without altering biometry and echodensity in dogs

Senescence leads to deleterious effects in testicular function, sperm quality and fertility in dogs. There, however, are no consistent results of vascular changes in the testes and epididymis during natural ageing in dogs. The aim of this study, therefore, was to compare testes and epididymis blood flow, biometry and echodensity between young and senile dogs. Ten young dogs (1-4 years) and eight senile dogs (over 7 years) were selected and assigned to two experimental groups: Young Group and Senile Group. Dogs were evaluated using testicular and epididymis B-mode (dimensions and echodensity) and Doppler ultrasonography (tissue perfusion parameters and blood flow velocity of the testicular artery). There were no differences between experimental groups for the echographic evaluation of testicular and epididymis parenchyma and biometric variables. The dogs in the Young Group had greater (P = 0.02) testes vascularization score and greater (P = 0.06) testicular artery blood flow velocity than those in the Senile Group. Furthermore, the older dogs had a greater (P = 0.06) pulsatility index of the testicular artery than those in the Young Group. Ageing, therefore, seems to cause natural hemodynamical changes to the testicular artery, resulting in reduced blood flow (ischemia) and tissue damage. Testes and epididymis vascular characteristics, therefore, may represent the causal factors for changes in spermatogenesis and, as a consequence, negatively affect the sperm quality of older dogs. In conclusion, senescence alters testicular artery blood flow and vascularization of the testes, without changing testicular and epididymis ultrasonographic dimensions and echodensity in dogs.