Evaluation of the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride on Reproduction and Gonadal Development in Medaka, Oryzias Latipes

May 2015 in “ General and Comparative Endocrinology ”

Michael D. Lee, Jana R. Loux-Turner, Kenneth Oliveira

finasteride 5α-reductase inhibitor androgen signaling testicular oocytes oocyte atresia yolk vesicle degeneration Propecia

TLDR Finasteride negatively affects fish reproduction and gonadal development.

The study evaluated the effects of finasteride on reproduction and gonadal development in medaka fish. Exposure to finasteride resulted in maldevelopment and testicular oocytes in males, and accelerated involution of post-ovulatory follicles and increased incidences of oocyte atresia and yolk vesicle degeneration in females. The study suggests that finasteride may have negative effects on reproductive and gonadal development in fish, potentially by altering androgen signaling.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research The 5 Alpha-Reductase Isozyme Family: A Review of Basic Biology and Their Role in Human Diseases

218 citations, December 2011 in “Advances in Urology”

The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.

Fadrozole And Finasteride Exposures Modulate Sex Steroid- And Thyroid Hormone-Related Gene Expression In Silurana (Xenopus) Tropicalis Early Larval Development

research Fadrozole And Finasteride Exposures Modulate Sex Steroid- And Thyroid Hormone-Related Gene Expression In Silurana (Xenopus) Tropicalis Early Larval Development

60 citations, April 2010 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology”

Fadrozole and finasteride change gene expression related to sex hormones and thyroid hormones in frog larvae development.

The Aromatase Inhibitor Fadrozole and the 5-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Affect Gonadal Differentiation and Gene Expression in the Frog Silurana Tropicalis

research The Aromatase Inhibitor Fadrozole and the 5-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Affect Gonadal Differentiation and Gene Expression in the Frog Silurana Tropicalis

37 citations, January 2009 in “Sexual Development”

Fadrozole and Finasteride change frog sex ratios and cause intersex animals with altered gene expressions.

research Discovery and Clinical Development of Dutasteride, a Potent Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

58 citations, March 2006 in “Current topics in medicinal chemistry”

Dutasteride effectively treats benign prostatic hyperplasia and may reduce prostate cancer risk.

research Androgen Binding Profiles of Two Distinct Nuclear Androgen Receptors in Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias Undulatus)

58 citations, June 2000 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Different types of androgens bind differently to two receptors, AR1 and AR2, in Atlantic croaker's brain and ovarian tissues, suggesting these receptors may control different androgen actions in fish.

research Leydig Cell Hyperplasia and Adenomas in Mice Treated with Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor: A Possible Mechanism

35 citations, February 1994 in “Fundamental and applied toxicology”

High doses of finasteride cause cell growth and tumors in mice.

research The Clinical Development of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride

211 citations, November 1990 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride effectively treats BPH, but needs more trials to understand potential.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community New and Interesting HairLoss Studies/Papers/Reviews

in Treatment 44 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss treatments discussed include Dutasteride with Ketoconazole, tissue engineering strategies, and androgenetic alopecia therapies. Massage doubles follicular retention, improving treatment effectiveness.

community A meta analysis of 18 popular hair loss treatments. An 2022 guide on efficacy. From finasteride and minoxidil to caffeine shampoo, saw palmetto and biotin. 96 Scientific References included.

in Research/Science 101 upvotes 2 years ago

Most hair loss treatments are ineffective; only finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil show effectiveness.

community Natural Remedies: Polyphenols and Hair Loss

19 upvotes 5 years ago

Natural remedies to treat hair loss, such as polyphenols, apple peel extract, grape seed extract, green tea extract, peppermint oil, pumpkin seed oil, apigenin, Ginkgo biloba, red clover extract, olive leaf extract, Ecklonia Cava and Grateloupia elliptica. In addition, terpenes, carotenoids, and tocopherols were discussed as potential treatments.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community DHT/Testosterone levels in scalp Fin VS Dut.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 60 upvotes 4 months ago

Dutasteride raises scalp testosterone by 99%, which may not be ideal for those sensitive to all androgens. Some argue finasteride's balancing act might be better, while others believe dutasteride is superior for hair regrowth.

community New Research- Creatine Increasing Scalp DHT Without Corresponding Serum DHT Increase

in Research/Science 122 upvotes 6 months ago

Creatine may increase scalp DHT without affecting serum DHT, potentially speeding up male pattern baldness (MPB) for those genetically prone. Treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Suppression of Spermatogenesis with Desogestrel and Testosterone Pellets Is Not Enhanced by Addition of Finasteride

31 citations, January 2001 in “PubMed”

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations, August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.