Hormonal control of zinc uptake and binding in the rat dorsolateral prostate.

The zinc uptake in the dorsolateral prostate of rats was studied after different hormonal manipulations. Orchiectomy reduced the uptake of 65Zn. Administration of estradiol benzoate to orchiectomized rats doubled the 65Zn uptake, a phenomenon which was not observed in orchiectomized-adrenalectomized rats. Adrenalectomy in orchiectomized rats had no effect on the concentration of radioactivity beyond the castration-induced decrease. A prolactin release inhibitor, 6-methyl-8-erogelenylacetamide, reduced the radioactivity concentration without changing the weight of the gland. Cyproterone acetate reduced the weight but not the radioactivity concentration. The concentration of 65Zn in the ventral prostate was not changed by orchiectomy, adrenalectomy, or the administration of estradiol benzoate, prolactin release inhibiors, or cyproterone acetate. The results suggest an important role for prolactin in the zinc uptake in the dorsolateral prostate but not in the ventral prostate.