Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physiology and Pharmacology of the Prostate

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Practical Urology: Essential Principles and Practice

Part of the book series: Springer Specialist Surgery Series ((SPECIALIST))

  • 1806 Accesses

Abstract

The physiological properties of the prostate resemble those of other exocrine glands. The precise functions of the prostate remain obscure but some inferences can be made. The prostate is ideally positioned to block the entrance of pathogens into the reproductive tract by secreting potent biological agents that are bacteriostatic. These substances include metal ions, proteases, and highly charged organic molecules such as spermine. The total contribution to seminal fluid (average 3 mL) made by prostate secretions is about 0.5 mL. The pH of these prostate secretions is relatively alkaline and varies from 6 to 8, possibly to counteract the acidic environment of the urethra and vagina. Seminal plasma may increase sperm motility or survival in the male urethra or female genital tract by buffering mechanisms. Constituents of prostatic fluid participate in the clotting (semenogelins I and II) and lysing (prostate specific antigen) of semen. This clotting, then liquefaction may somehow optimize fertility by allowing an initial higher dwell time in the female reproductive tract. A list of components of prostatic fluid is found in Table 18.1.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Meares EM. Prostatitis. Med Clin North Am. 1991;75:405-424

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Veltri R, Rodriguez R, et al. Molecular biology, endocrinology, and physiology of the prostate and seminal vesicles. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2007:chap 85

    Google Scholar 

  3. Partanen M, Hervonen A. The effect of long-term castration on the histochemically demonstrable catecholamines in the hypogastric ganglion of the rat. J Autonom Nerv Syst. 1979;1:139-147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Shapiro E, Miller A, Lepor H. Down regulation of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor of the rat prostate following castration. J Urol. 1985;134(1):179-182

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Melvin J, Hamill R. The major pelvic ganglion: androgen control of postnatal development. J Neurosci. 1987;7(6):1607-1612

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hamill R, Schroeder B. Hormonal regulation of adult sympathetic neurons: the effects of castration on neuropeptide Y, norepinephrine, and tyrosine hydroxylase activity. J Neurobiol. 1990;21(5):731-742

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Regunathan S, Nassir Y, Sundaram K, et al. Expression of I2-Imidazoline sites in rat prostate. Effect castration aging. Biochem Pharmacol. 1996;51:455-459

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Farnsworth W, Lawrence M. Regulation of prostate secretion in the rat. Am J Physiol. 1965;119:373-376

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bodansky M, Sharaf H, Roy J, et al. Contractile activity of vasotocin, oxytocin, and vasopressin on mammalian prostate. Eur J Pharmacol. 1992;216:311-313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sharaf H, Foda HD, Said SI, et al. Oxytocin and related peptides elicit contractions of prostate and seminal vesicle. Ann NY Acad Sci. 1992;652:474-477

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Litvak J, Borkowski A, Jacobs S, et al. Induction of apoptosis by doxazosin: targeting alpha-1 blockade in benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 1997;157:1086A

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hellstrom W, Schmidt R, Lue T, et al. Neuromuscular dysfunction in nonbacterial prostatitis. Urology. 1987;30(2):183-188

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Harper G, Barde Y, Burnstock G, et al. Guinea pig prostate is a rich source of nerve growth factor. Nature. 1979;279:160-162

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Collins A, Robinson E, Neal D. Benign prostatic stromal cells are regulated by basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor beta 1. J Endocrinol. 1996;151:315-322

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Paul A, Grant E, Habib F. The expression and localization of beta nerve growth factor in benign and malignant human prostate tissue: relationship to neuroendocrine differentiation. Br J Cancer. 1996;74:1990-1996

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Story M, Hopp K, Meier D. Regulation of basic fibroblast growth factor expression by transforming growth factor beta in cultured human prostate stromal cells. Prostate. 1996;28:219-226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Elbadawi A, Goodman D. Autonomic innervation of accessory male genital glands. In: Spring-Mills E, Hafez E, eds. Male Accessory Sex Glands. Amsterdam: Elsevier-North-Holland Biomedical Press; 1980

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gosling J. Autonomic innervation of the prostate. In: Hinman F, ed. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. New York: Springer; 1983:349-360:chap 32

    Google Scholar 

  19. Higgins J, Gosling J. Studies on the structure and intrinsic innervation of normal human prostate. Prostate. 1989;2:5-16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Crowe R, Chapple C, Burnstock G. The human prostate gland: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study of neuropeptides, serotonin, dopamine beta-hydroxylase and acetylcholinesterase in autonomic nerves and ganglia. Br J Urol. 1991;68(1):53-61

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Dail WG. Autonomic innervation of male reproductive genitalia. In: Maggi CA, ed. The Autonomic Nervous System. Nervous Control of the Urogenital System, vol. 6. London: Harwood Academic Publishers; 1993:69-101:chap 9

    Google Scholar 

  22. Benoit G, Merlaud L, Meduri G, et al. Anatomy of the prostatic nerves. Surg Radiol Anat. 1994;16(1):23-29

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Setchell B, Maddocks S, Brooks D. Anatomy, Vasculature Innervation, and Fluids of the Male Reproductive Tract. New York: Raven Press; 1994

    Google Scholar 

  24. Vaalasti A. Autonomic innervation of the human male accessory sex glands. In: Riva A, Testa RF, eds. Ultrastructure of Male Urogenital Glands: Prostate, Seminal Vesicles, Urethral, and Bulbourethral Glands. New York: Kluwer Academic; 1994:187-196

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kepper M, Keast J. Immunohistochemical properties and spinal connections of pelvic autonomic neurons that innervate the rat prostate gland. Cell Tissue Res. 1995;281(3):533-542

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Marson L, Orr R. Identification of rat spinal neurons that innervate the prostate comparison of hypogastric and pelvic inputs using transneuronal tracing with pseudorabies virus. Soc Neurosci. 1996;22:1051 (Abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Dixon J, Jen P, Gosling J. A double-label immunohistochemical study of intramural ganglia from the human male urinary bladder neck. J Anat. 1997;190(1):125-134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hedlund P, Larsson B, Alm P, et al. Nitric oxide synthase-containing nerves and ganglia in the dog prostate: a comparison with other transmitters. Histochem J. 1996;28(9):635-642

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Hedlund P, Ekstrom P, Larsson B, et al. Heme oxygenase and NO synthase in the human prostate-relation to adrenergic, cholinergic and peptide containing nerves. J Autonom Nerv Syst. 1997;63:115-126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Gosling J, Thompson S. A neurohistochemical and histological study of peripheral autonomic neurons of the human bladder neck and prostate. Urol Int. 1977;32:269

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Baumgarten H, Falck B, Holstein A, et al. Adrenergic innervation of the human testis, epididymis, ductus deferens and prostate: a fluorescence microscopic and fluorometric study. Z Fur Zellforsch Und Mikrosk Anat. 1968;90(1):81-95

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Alm P, Allumets J, Hakanson R, et al. Peptidergic (vasoactive intestinal peptide) nerves in the genitourinary tract. Neuroscience. 1977;2(5):751-754

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Dunzendorfer U, Jonas D, Weber W. The autonomic innervation of the human prostate. Histochemistry of acetylcholinesterase in the normal and pathologic states. Urol Res. 1976;4:29-32

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Yokoyama R, Inokuchi T, Satoh H, et al. Distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-like, neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactive and acetylcholinesterase (ACHE)-positive nerve fibers in the prostate gland of the monkey (Macacus fuscatus). Kurume Med J. 1990;37(1):1-8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Danuser H, Springer J, Katofiasc M, et al. Extrinsic innervation of the cat prostate gland; a combined tracing and immunohistochemical study. J Urol. 1997;157(3):1018-1024

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Dixon J, Jen P, Gosling J. The distribution of vesicular acetylcholine transporter and NPY in and nitric oxide in the human genitourinary organs. Neurourol Urodynam. 2000;19:185-194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Vaalasti A, Hervonen A. Autonomic innervation of the human prostate. Invest Urol. 1980;17(4):293-297

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Shirai M, Sasaki K, Rikimaru A. A histochemical investigation of the distribution of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves in the human male genital organs. Tohoku J Exp Med. 1973;111:281-291

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Plancarte R, Amescua C, Patt RB, et al. Superior hypogastric plexus block for pelvic cancer pain. Anesthesiology. 1990;73(2):236-239.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Lique M, Coolen JA, Truitt WA, McKenna KE. Central regulation of ejaculation. Physiol Behav. 2004;83(2):203-215

    Google Scholar 

  41. Perichino M, Bozzo W, Puppo P, et al. Does transurethral thermotherapy induce long-term alpha blockade? An immunohistochemical study. Eur Urol. 1993;23:299-301

    Google Scholar 

  42. Arai Y, Jukuzawa S, Terai A, Yoshida O. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia – relation between clinical response and prostate histology. Prostate. 1996;28(2):84-88

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Chuang YC, Chiang PH, Yoshimura N, De Miguel F, Chancellor MB. Sustained beneficial effects of intraprostatic botulinum toxin type A on lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. BJU Int. 2006;98:1033-1037

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Vaalasti A, Linnoila I, Hervonen A. Immunohistochemical demonstration of VIP, [Met5]-and [Leu5]-enkephalin immunoreactive nerve fibers in the human prostate and seminal vesicles. Histochemistry. 1980;66:89-98

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Eckhardt C. Untersuchungen uber die Erection des Penis beim Hunde. Beitr Anat Physiol. 1863;3:123-166

    Google Scholar 

  46. Hedlund H, Andersson K, Larsson B. Alpha-adrenoceptors and muscarinic receptors in the isolated human prostate. J Urol. 1985;134:1291-1298

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Lepor H, Shapiro E. Characterization of alpha1-adrenergic receptors in human benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 1984;132:1226-1229

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Hiebel J, Ruffolo R. The use of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists in the pharmacological management of benign prostatic hypertrophy: an overview. Pharmacol Res. 1996;33(3):145-160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Shapiro E, Lepor H. Alpha2 adrenergic receptors in hyperplastic human prostate: identification and characterization using 3 H-rauwolscine. J Urol. 1986;135:1038-1043

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Lepor H, Gup DI, Bauman M, et al. Laboratory assessment of terazosin and a1 blockade in prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 1988;32:21-26

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Kitada S, Kumazawa J. Pharmacological characteristics of smooth muscle in benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostatic tissue. J Urol. 1987;138:158-160

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Chapple CR, Aubrey ML, James S, et al. Characterisation of human prostatic adrenoceptors using pharmacology receptor binding and localization. Br J Urol. 1989;63:487-496

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Gup D, Shapiro E, Buamann M, et al. Contractile properties of human prostate adenomas and the development of infravesical obstruction. Prostate. 1989;15:105-114

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Eri L, Tveter KJ. a-Blockade in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 1995;154:923-934

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Andersson KE, Lepor H, Wyllie M. Prostate α1 adrenoceptor and uroselectivity. Prostate. 1977;30:202-216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Chapple CR. Selective a1-adrenoceptor antagonists in benign prostatic hyperplasia: rationale and clinical experience. Eur Urol. 1996;129:144

    Google Scholar 

  57. Jardin A, Andersson K-E, Caine M, et al. α-blockers therapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Cockett ATK, Khoury S, Aso Y, Chatelain C, Denis L, Griffiths K, Murphy C, eds. The Third International Consultation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). New York: SCI; 1996:527-564

    Google Scholar 

  58. Forray C, Bard JA, Wetzel JM, et al. The a1-adrenergic receptor that mediates smooth muscle contraction in human prostate has the pharmacological properties of the cloned human a1c subtype. Mol Pharmacol. 1994;45:703-708

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Marshall I, Burt RP, Chapple CR. Noradrenaline contractions of human prostate mediated by a1a-(a1c-)adrenoceptor subtype. Br J Pharmacol. 1995;115:781-786

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Fabiani ME, Sourial M, Thomas WG, et al. Angiotensin II enhances noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves of the rat prostate via a novel angiotensin receptor: implications for the pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Endocrinol. 2001;171(1):97-108

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Caine M, Raz S, Zeigler M. Adrenergic and cholinergic receptors in the human prostate, prostatic capsule and bladder neck. Br J Urol. 1975;47:193-202

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Appell RA, England HR, Hussell AR, et al. The effect of epidural anesthesia on the urethral closure pressure profile in patients with prostatic enlargement. J Urol. 1980;124:410-411

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Furuya S, Kumamoto Y, Yokoyama E, et al. Alpha-adrenergic activity and urethral pressure in prostatic zone in benign prostatic hypertrophy. J Urol. 1982;128:836-839

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Nickel JC. Alpha-blockers for the treatment of prostatitis-Like syndromes. Rev Urol. 2006;8(suppl 4):S26-S34

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Farrell J, Lyman Y. A study of the secretory nerves and the action of certain drugs on, the prostate gland. Am J Phys. 1937;118:64-70

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Smith E, Lebeaux M. The mediation of the canine prostatic secretion provoked by hypogastric nerve stimulation. Invest Urol. 1970;7(4):313-318

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Smith E, Lebeaux M. The composition of nerve induced canine prostatic secretion. Invest Urol. 1971;8(2):100-103

    Google Scholar 

  68. Bruschini H, Schmidt R, Tanagho E. Neurologic control of prostatic secretion in the dog. Invest Urol. 1978;15(4):288-290

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Smith ER. The canine prostate and its secretion. In: Thomas JA, Singhai R, eds. Molecular Mechanisms of Gonadal Hormone Action. Baltimore, MD: University Park Press; 1975:167-204

    Google Scholar 

  70. Wang J, McKenna KE, Lee C. Determination of prostatic secretion in rats: effect of neurotransmitters and testosterone. Prostate. 1991;18:289-301.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Lepor H, Khuhar M. Characterization of muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding in the vas deferens, bladder, prostate and penis of the rabbit. J Urol. 1984;132:392-396

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. James S, Chapple C, Phillips M, et al. Autoradiographic analysis of alpha-adrenoceptors and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the hyperplastic human prostate. J Urol. 1989;142(2 Pt 1):438-444

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Burnett A, Takeda M, Maguire M, et al. Characterization and localization of nitric oxide synthase in the human prostate. Urology. 1995;45:435-439

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Jen P, Dixon J, Gosling J. Co-localisation of tyrosine hydroxylase, nitric oxide synthase and neuropeptides in neurons of the human postnatal male pelvic ganglia. J Autonom Nerv Syst. 1996;59(1–2):41-50

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Jen P, Dixon J, Gerahart J, et al. Nitric oxide synthase and tyrosine hydroxylase are co-localized in nerves supplying the postnatal human male genitourinary organs. J Urol. 1996;155(3):1171-1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Jen P, Dixon J. Development of peptide-containing nerves in the human fetal prostate gland. J Anat. 1995;187(Pt. 1):169-179

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Takeda M, Tang R, Shapiro E, et al. Effects of nitric oxide on human and canine prostates. Urology. 1995;45:440-446

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Isaacs J, Steinberg G. A guide to the physiology of the prostate. Cont Urol. 1990;47:54-66

    Google Scholar 

  79. McVary KT, Monnig W, Camps JL Jr, Young JM, Tseng LJ, van den Ende G. Sildenafil citrate improves erectile function and urinary symptoms in men with erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind trial. J Urol. 2007;177:1071-1077

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. McVary KT, Roehrborn CG, Kaminetsky JC, et al. Tadalafil relieves lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2007;177:1401-1407

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Stief CG, Porst H, Neuser D, Beneke M, Ulbrich E. A randomised, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of twice-daily vardenafil in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Eur Urol. 2008;53:1236-1244

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Smith E, Miller T, Pebler R. Transepithelial voltage changes during prostatic secretion in the dog. Am Phys Soc. 1983;245:F470-F477

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Jacobs SC, Story MT. Autonomic control of acid phosphatase exocrine secretion by the rat prostate. Urol Res. 1989;17:311-315

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Martinez-Pineiro L, Dahiya R, Nunes L, et al. Pelvic plexus denervation in rats causes morphologic and functional changes of the prostate. J Urol. 1993;150(1):215-218

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Wang J, McKenna K, McVary K, et al. Requirement of innervation for maintenance of structural and functional integrity in the rat prostate. Biol Reprod. 1991;44(6):1171-1176

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. McVary KT, Razzaq A, Lee C, et al. Growth of the rat prostate gland is facilitated by the autonomous nervous system. Biol Reprod. 1994;51:99-107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Vaalast A, Alho AM, Tainio H. The effect of sympathetic denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine on the ventral prostate of the rat. Acta Histochem. 1986;79:49-54

    Google Scholar 

  88. Lamano-Carvalho TL, Favaretto AL, Petenusci SO, et al. Prepubertal development of rat prostate and seminal vesicle following chemical sympathectomy with guanethidine. Braz J Med Biol Res. 1993;26(6):639-646

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Huang HFS, Li MT, Linsenmeyer T, et al. The effects of spinal cord injury on the status of messenger ribonucleic acid for TRPM2 and androgen receptor in the prostate of the rat. J Androl. 1997;18:250-256

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Djavan B, Marberger M. A meta-analysis on the efficacy and tolerability of α1-adrenoceptor antagonists in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction. Eur Urol. 1999;36:1-13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. de Reijke TM, Klarskov P. Comparative efficacy of two α-adrenoreceptor antagonists, doxazosin and alfuzosin, in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic enlargement. BJU Int. 2004;93:757-762

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Hellstrom WJ, Sikka SC. Effects of acute treatment with tamsulosin versus alfuzosin on ejaculatory function in normal volunteers. J Urol. 2006;176:1529-1533

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Foley SJ, Soloman LZ, Wedderburn AW, et al. A prospective study of the natural history of hematuria associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and the effect of finasteride. J Urol. 2000;163:496-498

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Thompson IM, Goodman PJ, Tangen CM, et al. The influence of finasteride on the development of prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2003;349(3):215-224

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Gormley GJ, Stoner E, Bruskewitz RC, et al. The effect of finasteride in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Finasteride Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1992;327:1185-1191

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Roehrborn CG, Marks LS, Fenter T, et al. Efficacy and safety of dutasteride in the four-year treatment of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 2004;63:709-715

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Roehrborn CG. Alfuzosin 10 mg once daily prevents overall clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia but not acute urinary retention: results of a 2-year placebo-controlled study. BJU Int. 2006;97:734-741

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Kirby RS, Roehrborn C, Boyle P, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of doxazosin and finasteride, alone or in combination, in treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: the Prospective European Doxazosin and Combination Therapy (PREDICT) trial. Urology. 2003;61:119-126

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Lepor H, Williford WO, Barry MJ, et al. The efficacy of terazosin, finasteride, or both in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:533-539

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. McConnell JD, Roehrborn CG, Bautista OM, et al. The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med. 2003;349:2387-2398

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    William D. Steers

Authors
  1. William D. Steers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Urology, J Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF, United Kingdom

    Christopher R. Chapple

  2. Dept. Urology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virgin Islands, USA

    William D. Steers

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Steers, W.D. (2011). Physiology and Pharmacology of the Prostate. In: Chapple, C., Steers, W. (eds) Practical Urology: Essential Principles and Practice. Springer Specialist Surgery Series. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-034-0_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-034-0_18

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-033-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-034-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation