Effect of diazepam on serum testosterone and the ventral prostate gland in male rats

Abstract

A study was initiated to investigate the effect of diazepam on serum testosterone and testosterone-sensitive tissues in male rats. Diazepam was administered in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days. When compared with an equally matched group of control male rats, this dose of diazepam was associated with a significant reduction in both the weight of the ventral prostate of treated rats and the serum testosterone levels. These changes were not associated with alterations in serum LH and FSH and the hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone content. Since diazepam does not interfere with the radioimmunoassay of testosterone, it is suggested that the above observations were biologically induced via direct suppression of the interstitial cells of the testis.

Key Words:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Testosterone
• Prostate gland