Finasteride as a Positive Control in Reproduction Studies

January 2012

Ariadne Gutiérrez Martínez, Balia Pardo Acosta, Rafael Gámez Menéndez, Rosa Más Ferreiro, Haydeé García Cambián, Edy Goicochea Carrero

finasteride 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor androgen-dependent developmental alterations Propecia

Studysummary This study found that prenatal exposure to finasteride in pregnant rats significantly disrupted male reproductive development, confirming its use as a positive control for androgen-related reproductive effects.

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Research cited in this study

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research Morphology of the Testis and the Epididymis in Rats with Dihydrotestosterone Deficiency

34 citations , January 2004 in “PubMed”

In this study, finasteride treatment for 56 days in adult rats led to sloughing of immature germinal cells and reduced sperm content in the epididymis, indicating its importance for maintaining spermatogenesis.

research The Long-Term Effect of Doxazosin, Finasteride, and Combination Therapy on the Clinical Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1707 citations , December 2003 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Combination therapy of doxazosin and finasteride safely and effectively reduces benign prostatic hyperplasia progression risk.

research Effects of In Utero Exposure to Finasteride on Androgen-Dependent Reproductive Development in Male Rats

118 citations , May 2003 in “Toxicological Sciences”

This study found that prenatal exposure to finasteride in rats led to permanent changes in developmental endpoints like anogenital distance and nipple retention, which were predictive of further reproductive tract malformations.

research Critical Developmental Periods for Effects on Male Rat Genitalia Induced by Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

86 citations , March 1993 in “Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology”

Finasteride affects male rat genitalia development, causing abnormalities during specific pregnancy days.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations , October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, 5 mg of finasteride per day significantly improved urinary symptoms and reduced prostate volume in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but increased the risk of sexual dysfunction.

research Decreased Fertility in Male Rats Administered the 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride, Due to Deficits in Copulatory Plug Formation

37 citations , January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology”

The study observed that finasteride reduced fertility in male Sprague-Dawley rats by impairing the formation of copulatory plugs, an effect considered specific to rats and not applicable to species without this reproductive feature.

research Reversible Decreases of Fertility in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats Treated Orally with Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

28 citations , January 1991 in “Reproductive Toxicology”

Finasteride temporarily lowers male rat fertility without affecting libido.

research External Genitalia Abnormalities in Male Rats Exposed In Utero to Finasteride, a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

122 citations , July 1990 in “Teratology”

This study found that oral administration of finasteride to pregnant rats caused dosage-related developmental toxicities, including hypospadias and decreased anogenital distance in male offspring.

research Nipple Differentiation in Fetal Male Rats Treated with an Inhibitor of the Enzyme 5α-Reductase: Definition of a Selective Role for Dihydrotestosterone

53 citations , January 1986 in “Endocrinology”

This rat study suggests that 5α-dihydrotestosterone plays a critical role in inhibiting nipple development in male fetuses by causing the regression of the nipple anlage in utero.