O sistema endócrino é uma complexa rede de glândulas e hormônios que regulam muitas das funções do corpo, incluindo crescimento, desenvolvimento e maturação, como as vias de ação de muitos órgãos. A próstata é um importante alvo dos hormônios e sua maturidade funcional e seu desenvolvimento são influenciados pelos níveis de esteroides. O presente grupo de pesquisa tem estudado os potenciais efeitos dos agentes esteroides sobre a próstata masculina e feminina do gerbilo da Mongólia (Meriones unguiculatus), utilizando métodos morfológicos e imuno-histoquímicos. Os resultados têm revelado a próstata do gerbilo da Mongólia como uma importante ferramenta para estudos da ação dos hormônios esteroides e seus antagonistas.

The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and hormones that regulates many of the body's functions; including growth, development and maturation, as well as the way several organs operate. The prostate is an important target of hormones and its functional maturity and development are influenced by steroids levels. Our research group has been evaluating the potential effects of the steroidal agents on the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) male and female prostate using different morphological and immunohistochemical methods. Our results have revealed the Mongolian gerbil prostate as an important tool for the morphofunctional studies of steroid hormones and its antagonist actions.

The flutamide antiandrogenic effects on the Guinea pig male prostate morphology in puberal, post-puberal and adult ages were evaluated in the present study. Daily-treated group animals received flutamide subcutaneous injection at a dose of 10 mg/Kg body weight for 10 days. The control group animals received a pharmacological vehicle under the same conditions. The lateral prostate was removed, fixed and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed an increase of the acinus diameter in the treated puberal animals and straitness in the stromal compartment around the acini. The epithelial cells exhibited cubic phenotype. In the post-puberal and adult animals, a decrease of the acinus diameter was observed, as well as an increase of the smooth muscle layer and presence of the folds at epithelium. The ultrastructural evaluation of the secretory cells in the treated group demonstrated endomembrane enlargement, mainly in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In addition, a decrease of the microvilli and alterations in the distribution patterns and density of the stromal fibrillar components were observed. In conclusion, the flutamide treatment exerts tissue effects on the lateral prostate, promoting stroma/epithelium alterations.