The Postnatal Offspring of Finasteride-Treated Male Rats Show Altered ERα and PCNA Expression in the Liver

July 2025 in “ Reproductive Biology ”

Agnieszka Kolasa, Paulina Kur, Sylwia Rzeszotek, Marta Grabowska, Małgorzata Blatkiewicz, Marika Freus, Aleksandra Wilk

finasteride estrogen receptor alpha proliferating cell nuclear antigen ERα PCNA Propecia

Studysummary This research reports that paternal finasteride treatment in male rats may negatively impact liver function in their male offspring, as observed through altered expression patterns of ERα and PCNA in liver tissue across different developmental stages.

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The study investigates the intergenerational effects of finasteride, a drug used by male rats, on the liver function of their male offspring. It was found that finasteride treatment in the paternal generation led to altered expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the liver of the offspring. The research involved analyzing liver samples from immature and mature Wistar male rats, revealing significant differences in ERα and PCNA expression between the offspring of finasteride-treated and untreated males. These findings suggest that finasteride use by males of reproductive age may have detrimental effects on the liver function of their male progeny, highlighting potential implications for hormone-dependent diseases.

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research Paternal Finasteride Treatment Can Influence the Testicular Transcriptome Profile of Male Offspring—Preliminary Study

1 citations , July 2021 in “Current Issues in Molecular Biology”

This study found that finasteride treatment of male rats led to changes in their male offspring's testicular gene expression, potentially affecting sperm function in response to odorant-like signals.

The Postnatal Offspring of Finasteride-Treated Male Rats Shows Hyperglycemia, Elevated Hepatic Glycogen Storage, and Altered GLUT2, IR, and AR Expression in the Liver

research The Postnatal Offspring of Finasteride-Treated Male Rats Shows Hyperglycemia, Elevated Hepatic Glycogen Storage, and Altered GLUT2, IR, and AR Expression in the Liver

6 citations , January 2021 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This study suggests that finasteride treatment in male rats can lead to changes in liver carbohydrate metabolism and may result in metabolic disruptions and liver steatosis in their offspring.

research Finasteride-Induced Inhibition of 5α-Reductase Type 2 Could Lead to Kidney Damage: An Experimental Animal Study

10 citations , May 2019 in “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health”

This study found that finasteride treatment in male rats altered steroid hormone homeostasis and caused kidney damage, suggesting potential risks for patients with renal dysfunction on androgen or antiandrogen therapy.

Antioxidant Enzyme Expression of mRNA and Protein in the Epididymis of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring During Postnatal Development

research Antioxidant Enzyme Expression of mRNA and Protein in the Epididymis of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring During Postnatal Development

2 citations , September 2017 in “Archives of Medical Science”

The researchers reported that finasteride treatment in male rats may lead to changes in antioxidant enzyme activity in their offspring's epididymis, potentially affecting sperm maturation.

research Connexin 43 Expression in the Testes During Postnatal Development of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring

3 citations , February 2017 in “Archives of Medical Science”

This study found that finasteride treatment in male rats may lead to changes in connexin 43 expression in the testes of their offspring, potentially affecting spermatogenesis.

research Androgen Levels and Apoptosis in the Testis During Postnatal Development of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring

10 citations , September 2015 in “Folia Histochemica Et Cytobiologica”

This study found that paternal exposure to finasteride in male rats may impair fertility and affect androgen-sensitive spermatogenesis in their male offspring.

research DHT Deficiency Perturbs the Integrity of the Rat Seminiferous Epithelium by Disrupting Tight and Adherens Junctions

27 citations , April 2011 in “Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica”

In this study using rats, finasteride-induced DHT deficiency led to morphological changes in seminiferous tubules, linked with altered junctional protein expression, potentially impairing fertility.

Exogenous Testosterone Alone or With Finasteride Does Not Improve Measurements of Cognition in Healthy Older Men With Low Serum Testosterone

research Exogenous Testosterone Alone or With Finasteride Does Not Improve Measurements of Cognition in Healthy Older Men With Low Serum Testosterone

77 citations , October 2007 in “International Journal of Andrology”

This study found that testosterone replacement, with or without finasteride, did not lead to significant cognitive improvements over 36 months in healthy older men without prior cognitive impairment.

research Epididymis in an Experimental Model of DHT Deficiency: Immunolocalization of ERalpha and ERbeta in Rat Epididymal Epithelial Cells. In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

4 citations , January 2006 in “PubMed”

This study found that finasteride-induced DHT deficiency altered estrogen receptor expression in the epididymis, potentially destabilizing its function.

research Immunolocalization of Androgen Receptor in the Epididymis of Rats with Dihydrotestosterone Deficiency

25 citations , November 2005 in “PubMed”

This study found that finasteride altered androgen receptor expression in the rat epididymis without affecting the morphology of epididymal epithelium, suggesting a change in hormonal status.

research Natural Variability and the Influence of Concurrent Control Values on the Detection and Interpretation of Low-Dose or Weak Endocrine Toxicities

51 citations , February 2004 in “Environmental Health Perspectives”

This article analyzes various cases of weak or low-dose endocrine effects in laboratory animals and highlights challenges in data interpretation due to variability among controls, but reports no new experimental findings.

research Exogenous Testosterone or Testosterone with Finasteride Increases Bone Mineral Density in Older Men with Low Serum Testosterone

417 citations , February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that testosterone therapy increased bone mineral density in older men with low testosterone, and combining it with finasteride may reduce prostate enlargement associated with testosterone treatment.