From the FDA Drug Label
The development and enlargement of the prostate gland is dependent on the potent androgen, 5α -dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Prostate growth is caused by a hormone in the blood called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
The functions of a prostate are not explicitly stated in the provided drug labels. However, it can be inferred that the prostate gland plays a role in the development and enlargement process influenced by dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
- The prostate gland is affected by 5α-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride and dutasteride, which reduce DHT production.
- DHT induces androgenic effects by binding to androgen receptors in the cell nuclei of the prostate gland. However, the exact functions of the prostate are not directly addressed in the provided text 1 2.
From the Research
The prostate gland plays a crucial role in male reproduction, and its functions include producing prostatic fluid, secreting prostate-specific antigen, controlling urine flow, and serving as a reproductive safeguard. The prostate secretes enzymes, lipids, amines, and metal ions essential for the normal function of spermatozoa, as noted in a study published in the International Urology and Nephrology journal 3. Its primary role is producing prostatic fluid, which makes up about 30% of semen volume and contains enzymes, zinc, citric acid, and other components that nourish and protect sperm.
The prostate contains 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is essential for prostate development and function, as discussed in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology 4. Additionally, the prostate serves as a reproductive safeguard by preventing urine from mixing with semen during ejaculation through the closing of the bladder neck. These functions collectively support male reproductive health by contributing to sperm viability, proper ejaculation, and hormone regulation.
Some of the key components of prostatic fluid include zinc, citrate, and kallikreins, which are crucial for the molecular synchronization of the functional cascade triggered by ejaculatory stimuli, as highlighted in a study published in Nature Reviews Urology 5. The prostate typically grows throughout a man's life, which can lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in older men, potentially causing urinary symptoms. The development and maintenance of the normal prostate, as well as the development of BPH, depend on a functional androgen-signaling axis, as noted in a study published in Urology 6.
Recent studies have compared the effects of finasteride and dutasteride on the risk of prostate cancer in patients with BPH, with one study published in The World Journal of Men's Health finding that dutasteride was not associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer than finasteride in patients with BPH 7. Overall, the prostate gland plays a vital role in male reproductive health, and its functions are essential for sperm viability, proper ejaculation, and hormone regulation.
Key points about the prostate gland's functions include:
- Producing prostatic fluid that makes up about 30% of semen volume
- Secreting prostate-specific antigen that liquefies semen after ejaculation
- Controlling urine flow through the urethra due to its muscular tissue
- Serving as a reproductive safeguard by preventing urine from mixing with semen during ejaculation
- Containing 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
- Playing a crucial role in male reproduction and fertility, as highlighted in studies published in International Urology and Nephrology 3, American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology 4, Urology 6, The World Journal of Men's Health 7, and Nature Reviews Urology 5.